Dodgers Release Chuckie Robinson

The Dodgers have released catcher Chuckie Robinson, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. The backstop had been designated for assignment and passed through outright waivers last week.

It’s unclear why Robinson was released but perhaps it’s related to the recent changes in the Dodgers’ catching depth. Not so long ago, the Dodgers had Will Smith and Dalton Rushing entrenched at the top level with no one else on the 40-man roster. When Smith hit the IL in June, Robinson was called up. In July, Robinson was nudged off for Eliezer Alfonzo. After clearing waivers, Robinson accepted an outright assignment, sticking around as the #3 behind Rushing and Alonzo.

When Rushing hit the IL earlier this month, Robinson was briefly called up, but the Dodgers acquired both Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt at the deadline. Those two are now on the big league roster with Alfonzo optioned to Triple-A. Robinson’s odds of getting another call-up are probably pretty low. Rushing and Smith are both trying to come back before the season is done. Even if another injury pops up in the interim, Alfonzo would probably get the next call.

Regardless of the reasoning, Robinson now heads to the open market. He hasn’t done much with the bat but clubs clearly like him as a depth guy for his defense and work with a pitching staff. He has a .124/.157/.176 batting line in his big league career but has bounced around to the Reds, White Sox and Dodgers for brief stints in recent years. He just cleared waivers last week, meaning no club wanted to give him a 40-man spot, so he should be limited to minor league offers.