Dodgers release Bud Norris

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have officially ended their tenure with Bud Norris, releasing the pitcher after he cleared waivers.

It was the logical outcome for Norris, who was designated for assignment on Sept. 20 to make room on the 40-man roster when pitcher Alex Wood was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

Norris was acquired along with minor league outfielder Dian Toscano, minor league pitcher Alec Grosser and $1 million from the Braves on June 30 in exchange for minor league pitcher pitchers Phil Pfeiffer and Caleb Dirks.

Norris had a 6.54 ERA in 13 games, including nine starts with the Dodgers, with 42 strikeouts and 21 walks in 42⅔ innings. The right-hander won three of his first five starts with the Dodgers, including a pair of scoreless starts, with a 4.28 ERA, 32 strikeouts and six walks.

But Norris left his July 31 start in the first inning with a mild back strain and missed nearly three weeks on the disabled list. Since his return Norris had more walks (13) than strikeouts (10), and allowed more runs (18) than innings (13⅔).

He appeared in just two of 17 games in September, both in relief, and was passed over for a start in favor of rookie Brock Stewart on Sept. 17.

Norris is one of 31 pitchers used by the Dodgers in 2016, tying a franchise record, and one of 15 starting pitchers for the team in 2016.