Dodgers release Jose Tabata

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have been cleaning house lately, clearing their roster of expensive clutter. On Saturday, that extended beyond the 40-man roster with the release of outfielder Jose Tabata.

Tabata, 27,  was hitting .244/.340/.333 in 30 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. He hadn't played since May 21, and was on the disabled list until he was simultaneously activated from the DL then released on Saturday.

Tabata is making $4.5 million this season, plus there is a $250,000 buyout of his $6.5 million 2017 club option. So there is about $3.05 million remaining that the Dodgers will eat.

The club in the last two weeks has released Alex Guerrero and designated Carl Crawford for assignment, absorbing roughly $44 million in remaining sunk costs with those two.

The Dodgers acquired Tabata from the Pirates on July 31, 2015 in exchange for Michael Morse and cash. The Dodgers took on Morse one day earlier in the three-team deal with the Braves and Marlins and were on the hook for his $8 million salary in 2016. They sent cash to Pittsburgh in the trade to cover the difference in remaining money left on both contracts.

The Pirates sent Tabata outright to Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in 2015, and he never was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster.

In parts of six major league seasons (2010-2015), all with Pittsburgh, Tabata hit .275/.336/.377 with 17 home runs and 81 doubles in 509 games.