Dodgers send Yaisel Sierra outright off the 40-man roster

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Sunday sent pitcher Yaisel Sierra outright to the minors, removing him from the 40-man roster to make room for Brandon McCarthy's return from the 60-day disabled list.

Sierra, now 25, was signed in February out of Cuba to a six-year, $30 million contract, which was the reason no other team claimed the right-handed pitcher on waivers. Sierra received $6 million as a signing bonus, and has roughly half of his $1 million 2016 salary remaining, so any team claiming him on waivers would have been responsible for roughly $23.5 million in remaining salary.

In 11 starts with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, Sierra has a 7.16 ERA, with 48 strikeouts and 17 walks in 49 innings. Sierra has been a colossal bust to date. But, should Sierra turn things around one day, either as a starter or reliever, the Dodgers still get to keep him. Just off the 40-man roster, for now.

In other moves, the Dodgers released Ian Thomas, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, and sent Layne Somsen outright to the minors as well, after he cleared waivers. Somsen was designated for assignment on Friday. Both were with Triple-A Oklahoma City.