The Los Angeles Dodgers officially signed Jake Marisnick and added him to their active roster on Friday, providing the team with another right-handed hitting outfield option.
Marisnick was acquired by the Detroit Tigers in a May trade with the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations before being designated for assignment on July 9. He was hitless in nine games with the White Sox, and batted .232/.270/.420 with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and 12 RBI over 33 games with the Tigers.
But Marisnick is most likely known amongst the Dodgers as one of the players on the 2017 Houston Astros team that was found to have electronically stolen signs en route to winning the World Series.
While some former Astros players have refused to take any accountability for their role in the scandal, Marisnick said he is open to all discussions about it, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Marisnick said he is “open” about his part in the 2017 scandal and will talk to any teammates who want to ask him about it.
“People make mistakes in this world and if you make a mistake and you’re open about it and you talk about it, it typically goes over a little better,” Marisnick said. “I’m open if there are any questions here. There’s been a few jokes already, kind of keeping it light which is good.”
Only Austin Barnes, Clayton Kershaw and Chris Taylor remain from the Dodgers roster that was cheated out of a World Series, while the Astros have also undergone significant changes. Still, there remains a lingering feeling of resentment toward the Astros and their players who were involved in the scandal, mainly among fans, but with some players and coaches as well.
As for the remaining Dodgers, Barnes was a high school teammate with Marisnick in Riverside while Taylor also played in a travel ball tournament with the veteran outfielder. So there shouldn’t be any chemistry problems created in the Dodgers clubhouse as a result of the signing.
The 32-year-old figures to see most of his opportunities against left-handed pitching. In 19 plate appearances this season against southpaws, Marisnick has batted .235/.278/.588 with one double, one triple, one home run and a 135 wRC+.
Dodgers option Jonny DeLuca for Jake Marisnick
The Dodgers optioned Jonny DeLuca to Triple-A Oklahoma City and transferred Shelby Miller to the 60-day injured list as corresponding roster moves for signing and adding Marisnick. Taylor was also activated off the 10-day injured list, taking the open roster spot made when Miguel Vargas was optioned.
DeLuca has appeared in 20 games for the Dodgers, batting .212/.278/.333 with one double, one home run and three RBI.
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