NEW YORK -- The Dodgers signed right-handed reliever Chris Stratton to a Major League deal on Sunday and optioned right-hander Bobby Miller, the team announced. In order to make room for Stratton on the 40-man roster, the club designated right-hander J.P. Feyereisen for assignment.
Stratton, 34, joined the team in New York about six hours before first pitch for the Dodgers' series finale with the Mets on Sunday Night Baseball. He pitched to a 7.94 ERA in 12 games earlier this season for the Royals, and was designated for assignment on May 18.
A 10-year MLB veteran, Stratton owns a career 4.63 ERA across stints with six teams. He relies on a versatile six-pitch mix, headlined by his four-seam fastball.
Stratton joins a Dodgers bullpen that has posted a 3.95 ERA this season, just the 16th-best mark in the Majors. Injuries continue to test the unit’s depth: Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen -- three key cogs on last year’s team -- are all on the IL.
Kopech made his sixth rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday and is getting closer to being an option for the Major League team, and Treinen has started a throwing progression. But Phillips hasn't begun playing catch yet, which manager Dave Roberts said is "starting to get a little concerning."
Stratton recorded more than three outs in half of his outings this season, so he should be an option to give the Dodgers some length. Roberts said he sees Stratton's role as being similar to that of Matt Sauer, who was optioned to Oklahoma City on Saturday because the team needed a fresh arm.