Dodgers send Shawn Zarraga outright to minors

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers catcher Shawn Zarraga had a brief jaunt on the major league active roster, and his time on the 40-man roster was also fleeting. Zarraga cleared waivers and was sent outright to the minors on Sunday, removing him from the 40-man roster.

Zarraga was added to the 40-man roster on Thursday and called up to the majors, as the Dodgers needed a fill-in backup catcher with A.J. Ellis traded and Carlos Ruiz not yet in Los Angeles from Philadelphia.

The 27-year-old Zarraga arrived during the game on Thursday, and greeted teammates in the dugout in the fourth inning. He enjoyed every moment of his first major league experience.

Zarraga did not get to play, however.

The catcher was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, then sent to Double-A Tulsa on Saturday.

The move doesn’t necessarily mean another Dodgers transaction is imminent. This was an expected move, as the Dodgers will need 40-man roster spots at some point in September potentially for Clayton Kershaw, Andre Ethier, Trayce Thompson and Alex Wood, plus anyone they might trade for before the Aug. 31 deadline to acquire players for postseason eligibility.

The switch-hitting Zarraga hit .265/.348/.327 in 41 minor league games this season between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.