LOS ANGELES -- Veteran relief pitcher Joe Thatcher has been released by the Dodgers on Saturday after the left-hander exercised an opt-out clause in his contract.
Thatcher, 34, had a 3.60 ERA in 17 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 21 strikeouts and five walks in his 15 innings. He held left-handed batters in the PCL to just 4-for-24 against him (.167/.259/.292) with three walks and nine strikeouts.
The nine-year major league veteran pitched in the majors for the Astros in 2015, putting up a 3.18 ERA in 43 games, with 26 strikeouts and 12 walks in 22u2154 innings
But the Dodgers bullpen has been strong of late, putting up a 1.