The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Hunter Feduccia to Triple-A Oklahoma City hours before they were scheduled to play the Yomiuri Giants in their first exhibition game before the Tokyo Series.
Feduccia was among the 31 players included on the Dodgers travel roster for Japan. The move was reminiscent of the Dodgers optioning Miguel Vargas just before playing their South Korea exhibition games.
Feduccia is not in the Dodgers lineup for the matchup with the Giants at the Tokyo Dome, but he is eligible for the contest and can also appear in the game against the Hanshin Tigers (8 p.m. PT on March 15).
What is seemingly ruled out — barring potential injury that would require a change in course — is Feduccia possibly making the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. That doesn’t need to be officially set until the morning of the Tokyo Series beginning March 18.
Of course, that wasn’t a likely probability anyhow. Will Smith was slowed early in camp by a bone bruise in his left ankle that has lingered since last June, but he nor the Dodgers have ever cast doubt for the Opening Day roster.
Feduccia batted .292/.346/.542 with three doubles, one home run and eight RBI over 13 Cactus League games this spring.
Feduccia made his MLB debut last year but logged just 14 plate appearances across five games (two starts).
Dodgers value Hunter Feduccia
Although Smith is entrenched as the starting catcher, Austin Barnes has solidified the backup role and Dalton Rushing is the top Dodgers prospect, Feduccia’s presence is not lost on the organization.
“I do think we see his value,” manager Dave Roberts recently said. “Obviously with Will and Austin, I think he’s the third catcher in the organization. If something happens, then he’d be the guy that we’d look to. I think the bat translates.
“It’s a very easy-maintenance swing, low-maintenance swing. He really controls the strike zone. Certainly, with our two right-handed hitting catchers, to complement being on the left side of the box is a good thing.
“He’s starting to get more familiar with the other pitchers, sequencing and things like that. He’s an organizational guy, he’s done a lot of good stuff for us. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him up at some point in time.”
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