Hunter

Dozier

There are some pretty notable inclusions among the latest batch of cuts from Angels camp with Herget the likely headliner. The 30-year-old righty has made 92 appearances for the Halos over the last three years. Dozier was in camp on a minor league pact and figured to have a decent shot at making the season-opening roster in a bench role.

The long-time Royals was designated for assignment in May of last year and then subsequently released after hitting just .183/.253/.305 with two homers, nine RBI and two steals across 91 plate appearances through 29 games for Kansas City. He had a career year in 2019, hitting .279/.348/.522 with 26 home runs in 139 games, but since then he has failed to top a .236 average or 16 home runs in any season. He’ll likely be battling for a spot as a versatile bench bat for a reeling Angels team.

Dozier went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week and is officially a free agent. The 31-year-old infielder was batting just .183/.253/.305 with two homers, nine RBI and two steals across 91 plate appearances through 29 games this season for Kansas City.

The decision comes as a surprise since Dozier still had one year remaining on a four-year, $25 million contract extension that he signed with the Royals back in 2021. The 31-year-old has really struggled this season, batting .183/.253/.305 with two homers, nine RBI and two steals across 91 plate appearances through 29 games. He’s compiled a lackluster .679 OPS through 345 games since the start of the 2020 campaign.

Dozier led off the third inning with a single, then came around to score the game’s first run on a two-out RBI single by Bobby Witt Jr. He then drove in the game-tying run with an RBI single off of Tyler Anderson in the sixth inning. Dozier also chipped in during their three-run rally in the ninth inning with a two-run single off of Austin Warren. With his three-hit night, Dozier is now hitting .196/.213/.261 with one homer, five RBI and one swipe on the season.

In 2020, the Royals were desperate enough to move Dozier off third base that they signed a non-tendered Maikel Franco to start there. It worked out, with Franco turning in a better season than any Dozier has had since. Still, three years later, Dozier is back at third base in Kansas City and consistently performing as the worst regular in the league. The Royals will keep playing him in the hopes that he’ll generate some trade value. It’s just hard to believe it will happen, though.

Dozier is 0-for-7 and has yet to hit a ball hard in two games. He’s been baseball’s least valuable player over the last three years, and there’s a good chance that stretch will extend to a fourth. Even if he is something close to an average hitter, his lousy defense at third -- a position he should not being playing at this point of his career -- will drag him down.

Dozier fouled a ball off his lip during batting practice a few days ago and doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy of missing next week’s Opening Day matchup.

Dozier took a ball off his lip during batting practice, but it’s not a major concern. He should be back to normal in the next day or two.

Dozier was originally slated to play third base today. The Royals upgraded to Nick Loftin instead.