Dodgers part ways with ex-closer League
Team designates reliever for assignment
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Thursday designated for assignment reliever Brandon League, deciding that the former closer would not be able to improve the current bullpen alignment.
The Dodgers were facing a decision on League, who was on the 60-day disabled list and just completed a Minor League rehabilitation assignment after missing all of this season with a right shoulder impingement that developed in Spring Training.
League, 32, was acquired by the Dodgers during the 2012 season and inherited the closer job when Kenley Jansen was injured. He pitched so well that the Dodgers gave him a three-year, $22.5 million contract.
But League struggled in 2013 to a 5.30 ERA and Jansen reclaimed the closer role. League bounced back last year in middle relief to a 2.57 ERA and figured to retain that role this year, only to wind up on the 60-day disabled list.
Meanwhile, the innings setting up Jansen this year have been eaten by right-handers Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia, Joel Peralta and Juan Nicasio, as well as lefties J.P. Howell and Adam Liberatore. A roster move would have needed to be cleared if the Dodgers had wanted to activate League, who had the right to refuse a Minor League assignment.