The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in the World Series in October.
Now, less than two months later, they’re investing in a former Yankees prospect.
Pitcher Matt Sauer, who struggled after making his major league debut last year with the Kansas City Royals, has signed a minor league contract with Los Angeles that includes a non-roster invitation to spring training, Newsweek Sports has learned.
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN was first to report the signing on Twitter/X.
RHP Matt Sauer has a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, per source. Deal includes a spring training invite.
The 25-year-old was a major league Rule 5 pick of the Royals last year and was a second round pick of the Yankees in the 2017 draft.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) December 16, 2024
Originally a second-round draft pick by New York out of high school, Sauer was ranked the No. 17 prospect in the New York Yankees’ system in 2019 by MLB Pipeline, ahead of such names as Thairo Estrada (No. 19), and just behind established big leaguers Michael King (No. 12), Luis Gil (No. 13) and Garrett Whitlock (No. 16).
Ed Zurga/Getty Images
After a strong minor league season in 2023, Sauer was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the Rule 5 draft. He made the leap directly from Double-A to the big leagues with Kansas City last year and made his big league debut with the Royals March 31.
In 14 appearances out of the Royals’ bullpen, Sauer posted a 7.71 ERA with only nine strikeouts and 11 walks in 16.1 innings. The Royals returned him to the Yankees in May under the terms of the Rule 5 draft, allowing him to return to the minors.
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Sauer split the season between the Yankees’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. With Double-A Somerset, he had a 2.63 ERA with an outstanding 21-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 24 innings.
However, Sauer struggled with Triple-A hitting in limited action. He went 1-2 with a 16.20 ERA, allowing 15 runs in 8.1 innings. Command was again an issue, as he allowed 18 hits and eight walks while striking out nine.
More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.
