LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23, 2023: Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson (64) wraps his arm around Dodger manager Dave Roberts after the Dodgers 7-0 win against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent another season searching for the right bullpen combination as they try to turn a talented roster into a third straight World Series championship.
While the relief group is deeper than it was a year ago, particularly after the addition of star closer Edwin Diaz, inconsistency has continued to force manager Dave Roberts and the front office to explore different options. Though the group has been fluctuating, it seems certain that the Dodgers will settle on a strong combination by October.
“While the bullpen issues are not nearly as drastic as they were last year, the Dodgers are also experiencing problems closing out games as the season comes to a close,” MLB.com’s Brent Maguire wrote. “In simpler terms, the Dodgers’ bullpen might be struggling right now — L.A. relievers had a bottom-10 ERA (4.44) since the All-Star break entering Wednesday’s games — but this group could look drastically different in the playoffs.”
That backdrop makes the latest development involving former Dodgers left-hander Caleb Ferguson particularly noteworthy. The veteran, who spent five seasons in Los Angeles, has now been designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals after a short stint with the club.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers Veteran Sees St Louis Cardinals Stint Ends Very Quickly
Ferguson’s Cardinals tenure lasted only nine games before St. Louis decided to cut him from the big league roster through a designation for assignment on Saturday, according to the official transaction log.
The decision comes after Ferguson failed to provide the production St. Louis was seeking in his very short run with the team. And he’s running out of time this season to join a new team.
“With Ferguson simply not performing, the Cards have chosen to utilize his roster spot on a fresher arm,” Mark Polishuk wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “Since trades are no longer permitted past the deadline, Ferguson can only change teams via the DFA process if he is claimed off the waiver wire. Claiming Ferguson would put a new club on the hook for the roughly $750K remaining of Ferguson’s $4.5MM salary for the 2026 season.”
While Ferguson could potentially be an inexpensive reclamation candidate for a club needing left-handed depth, his struggles with the Cardinals might dissuade some potential suitors as well.
Long-Time Los Angeles Dodgers Reliever Has Plenty Of Experience
Dodgers fans will recall that Ferguson’s best major league stretches came in Los Angeles, where he was a bullpen staple for several significant playoff series..
Originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 2014 MLB Draft, Ferguson climbed through the organization’s minor league system before making his major league debut in 2018. He quickly established himself as a versatile pitching weapon, working both as a starter and reliever.
He went 7-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 29 appearances during his rookie season and was particularly effective in the second half. He also delivered three scoreless innings across six postseason appearances that year.
Ferguson later became a valuable bullpen piece again after recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. In 2022, he posted a 1.82 ERA across 37 appearances, then followed that with a 3.43 ERA over 68 games in 2023.
The Dodgers eventually traded him to the New York Yankees in 2024, beginning a stretch that took him away from the organization where he spent the first five seasons of his career.
Now DFA’d by St. Louis, Ferguson could once again become an intriguing depth option for a contender — including teams dealing with bullpen uncertainty. However, a reunion with the Dodgers appears unlikely.