Andy

Burns

Burns made it back to the majors for the first time in five seasons after spending time overseas. The 30-year-old utility infielder went 3-for-11 with three walks in nine games with the Dodgers this season. He also made an appearance in the postseason as a replacement for an injured Justin Turner. He will most likely elect free agency and test the open market again this offseason.

Burns will join the NLCS roster in place of Justin Turner, who is done for the remainder of the 2021 postseason after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the Dodgers’ Game 4 loss to the Braves on Wednesday night. Burns, 31, is 3-for-17 (.176) lifetime at the major league level.

Burns is back with the Dodgers organization after being designated for assignment and released back in late July. The 31-year-old veteran infielder appeared in nine games at the major-league level earlier this season, his first appearance in the big leagues since 2016. He’ll serve as organizational depth over the final three weeks of the regular season.

This move frees up a 40-man roster spot for RHP prospect Josiah Gray, who is set to make his MLB debut on Tuesday night against the Giants. Burns, 30, has a career .176 batting average and .599 OPS in 19 games (22 plate appearances) at baseball’s highest level.

The Dodgers needed to create room for Cody Bellinger, who was activated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. Burns was 3-for-11 at the major league level.

Burnes has been summoned to give the Dodgers some infield insurance with Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy dealing with minor injuries. The 30-year-old veteran infielder hasn’t appeared in the majors since the 2016 campaign, but he’s torn the cover off the ball at Triple-A Oklahoma City, slashing .330/.427/.598 with five home runs and seven stolen bases across 117 plate appearances.

Burns recently spent time in the Australian Baseball League after batting .275/.364/.470 with 19 homers over 119 games with the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate in 2019. The 29-year-old will return as organizational depth.

Burns is back in North America after two solidly productive seasons with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization. He managed an OPS better than .850 over his two years in the KBO and slugged 23 home runs there last year. The versatile former 11th-round pick of the Blue Jays will return to a familiar spot at Triple-A Buffalo to open the 2019 campaign.

Burns is hitless in six at-bats this season with the big club. He’ll back up at a variety of positions.

Burns was only with the club for a couple of days as an extra bat off the bench. He’ll continue to provide depth in the minor leagues.