LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced the selection of right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer’s contract, while left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski has been optioned to the minors. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team placed veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the 60-day injured list.
Sauer, 26, earned his spot after a solid showing as a non-roster invitee during Spring Training. In four appearances, he pitched 7.2 innings, striking out eight batters. Sauer made his MLB debut in 2024 with the Kansas City Royals, appearing in 14 games and finishing with a 7.71 ERA. Over seven minor league seasons, he has amassed a 22-27 record, a 4.37 ERA, and 449 strikeouts. Originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Sauer hails from Ernest Righetti High School in California.
Wrobleski, 24, also impressed during Spring Training, making four appearances and posting a 2-0 record with a 1.93 ERA across 9.1 innings. He struck out nine batters and maintained a stellar 0.75 WHIP. After debuting in the majors in 2024, Wrobleski recorded a 1-2 record with a 5.70 ERA in eight games. The southpaw was selected by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma State University.
Kershaw, 36, will begin the 2025 season on the injured list. In his illustrious 17-season career with the Dodgers, he has compiled a 212-94 record with a 2.50 ERA. Remarkably, he is just 32 strikeouts shy of becoming the 21st pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts. Last season, Kershaw appeared in seven games, going 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA before being sidelined due to a left big toe injury. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the first round (7th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft out of Highland Park High School in Texas.
