PHOENIX — The Dodgers trimmed their roster a bit on Monday with Walker Buehler among six sent to minor league camp and veteran pitcher Mark Lowe released.
Buehler was optioned along with corner man Rob Segedin and left-handed pitcher Edward Paredes. Catcher Will Smith, utility man Max Muncy and pitcher Manny Banuelos, who like Lowe were non-roster invitees to big league camp, were also reassigned on Monday, the first day of the minor league schedule.
Buehler struck out five in two innings in his Cactus League debut on Saturday night against the Cubs, a performance called “electric” by Roberts.
“It validated what we already knew about him,” Roberts said Monday. “He’s a piece we’re looking forward to counting on.”
Though he was sent down Buehler will be back shortly, scheduled to start for the Dodgers at some point later this week, possibly Friday’s road game against the Diamondbacks.
Segedin left earlier Monday to join his wife Robin, who was scheduled to induce labor for the birth of their second child. Roberts said Segedin would miss a couple of days.
Paredes has 10 strikeouts in 4⅓ innings in his six Cactus League appearances, but also allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks.
The 34-year-old Lowe allowed eight runs on eight hits in 3⅓ innings, with two walks and three strikeouts in four Cactus League games. He told Jerry Crasnick of ESPN that he wants to keep pitching even if it means going to Triple-A, but that opportunity won’t come with the Dodgers.
Smith, the Dodgers’ supplemental first-round pick in 2016, was 3-for-15 (.200) with two doubles, a home run and a walk in 11 games this spring.
Muncy was 4-for-14 (.286) with two doubles, a triple and a walk in seven games this spring with the Dodgers, and played third base, second base and first base. Banuelos struck out nine over 7⅔ innings in his four appearances, but also allowed seven runs on 11 hits.
These roster moves come two days after the Dodgers sent 20 players to the minors in one fell swoop. There are now 38 remaining in major league camp, though with Julio Urias on the 60-day disabled list and Tom Koehler out with a shoulder injury the number is effectively 36 players in camp.