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LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers continued their action on the waiver wire this week, on Thursday claiming pitcher Alec Asher from the Orioles.
The 26-year-old right-hander has pitched parts of the last three seasons in the majors, posting a 5.55 ERA in 116 innings with the Phillies and Orioles, with 76 strikeouts and 37 walks. His major league time has included 36 games, including 18 starts, with all 18 relief appearances coming in 2017.
Asher had a 4.65 ERA in 10 starts for Triple-A Norfolk last year. In 2016 while with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies system Asher was suspended 80 games for testing positive for Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a performance-enhancing substance.
He was designated for assignment by Baltimore last Thursday.
Alec Asher pitch mix
| Pitch | Frequency | Avg. velo |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | Frequency | Avg. velo |
| 4-seam FB | 17.68% | 91.30 |
| Sinker | 36.36% | 90.97 |
| Change | 11.66% | 82.74 |
| Slider | 8.65% | 83.56 |
| Curve | 10.40% | 79.66 |
| Cutter | 15.25% | 88.83 |
Asher has one option year remaining, having used options in 2016 and 2017. The Dodgers optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The roster churn for the Dodgers continues, with pitcher Zach Neal getting designated for assignment to make room for Asher on the 40-man roster.
Neal, a non-roster invitee in major league camp this spring, was just promoted from Triple-A on Tuesday when Josh Fields went on the paternity leave list. Neal pitched an inning on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing a run on two hits, including a home run by John Ryan Murphy.
Fields is expected to be activated from the paternity list before Friday’s scheduled series opener against the Giants in San Francisco.