GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers traded reserve outfielder Matt Beaty to the San Diego Padres for a minor-league pitcher Monday.

Beaty, 28, was designated for assignment last week when the Dodgers needed to clear a roster spot for Hanser Alberto. The right-handed Alberto is projected to fill a bench role for the Dodgers while Beaty faced an uphill battle with a number of left-handed hitters available (Gavin Lux, Jake Lamb, Edwin Rios, Zach McKinstry and the switch-hitting Eddy Alvarez).

In three seasons with the Dodgers, Beaty hit .262 with 18 home runs and a .758 OPS.

“He’s a professional at-bat,” manager Bob Melvin told reporters  in Padres camp. “He’s got a high on-base percentage, the kind of guy that takes a lot of pitches. Could see him as a pinch-hitter potentially. Can play a little outfield, a little first base, so he’s got some versatility there.”

In exchange for Beaty, the Dodgers received right-hander River Ryan, the Padres’ 11th-round draft pick out of North Carolina-Pembroke last year.

A two-way player in college, Ryan played second base and also pitched. The Padres gave him a chance to play infield last season and he went 12 for 39 (.308) in 12 games in the Arizona Camp League last summer.

But this spring, Ryan was working exclusively as a pitcher in the Padres’ minor-league camp and the Dodgers plan to develop him that way as well.

Related Articles