The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Patrick Mazeika to a Minor League contract, according to the team’s transaction page.
The 29-year-old was originally selected by the New York Mets in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft and he would make his debut six years later. Mazeika hit .190/.253/.266 with three doubles, one home run and six RBI in 87 plate appearances over 37 games during the 2021 season.
Mazeika put up near-identical numbers this year, batting .191/.214/.294 with four doubles, one home run and six RBI in 72 plate appearances across 24 games.
Mazeika presumably will spend most of 2022 with Triple-A Oklahoma City as he bolsters the organization’s catching depth. His arrival likely means that Tony Wolters will be playing elsewhere next season.
Wolters had been with the Dodgers since signing a Minor League contract in August 2021, and this past season saw him receive an opportunity back up in the Majors.
Wolters was called up from Oklahoma City as the corresponding move to the Dodgers putting Austin Barnes on the family emergency list. Wolters went hitless in four at-bats with three strikeouts across two games.
When Barnes returned from leave, the Dodgers designated Wolters for assignment. He was released from the organization but re-signed with the club on another Minor League contract and was assigned to Oklahoma City.
The Vista, California native batted .230/.321/.284 with nine doubles and 29 RBI over 61 games with the Dodgers’ top Minor League affiliate this year.
Wolters is among the current group of Dodgers Minor League free agents and is playing for the Toros del Este of the Dominican Winter League.
Dodgers Minor League signings
Since the start of December, the Dodgers have signed Jason Heyward, Bryan Hudson, James Jones, Adam Kolarek, Mazeika, Jake Pilarski and Lucas Williams to Minor League contracts.
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