Looking to bolster their outfield depth while Mookie Betts is on the 10-day injured list because of a fractured rib, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Trayce Thompson in what marked a reunion.
Instead of experimenting with another infielder at an outfield spot like they have done with Eddy Alvarez, Thompson has the experience and was worth a look after hitting .299/.352/.639 with seven doubles, eight home runs and 19 RBI across 25 games with Triple-A Toledo of the Detroit Tigers organization.
Thompson appeared off the bench in each of his first two games with the Dodgers, and remained in the field after pinch-hitting on Wednesday. That led to a second at-bat in the game, during which Thompson hit a two-run double in the eighth inning.
The big hit was indicative of Thompson looking to contribute by any means and take advantage when given a chance, via SportsNet LA:
“Just trying to make the most of each day and prepare for whatever opportunity I get. … You want to win every day and you want to do your part to help the team win. Doesn’t feel good to strike out on three pitches like I’ve done a couple times now, but you just prepare and try to go out and really have fun. I’ve been working my whole life to be a Major Leaguer, and sometimes these moments, we can forget to have fun. So if I just go out there and have fun, just compete and try to help these guys every day, everything is going to take care of itself.”
Thompson followed up his first big hit with a home run on Thursday that provided insurance in the ninth inning.
After being with the organization he first made his mark in the Major Leagues, this time around Thompson doesn’t need to be spectacular, he just needs to be himself and it’s possible he sticks around as a bench piece for the Dodgers.
Dodgers trade ‘full-circle moment’ for Thompson
Thompson was previously in the Dodgers organization from December 2015 until April 3, 2018, when he was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees.
During parts of 2016-17, Thompson looked like he could be a contributor for the Dodgers off the bench and as a fourth outfielder. But he suffered what was ultimately discovered to be multiple fractured vertebrae in his back, and he didn’t play after July 10, 2017.
Thompson then bounced around with multiple organizations, making stops with the Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres before he signed with the Tigers organization and went to their Triple-A affiliate.
Now that Thompson is back with the Dodgers, where he first started to look like a legitimate Major League player, he is happy to return and see some of his previous teammates again.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism