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The Dodgers have signed outfielder Will Venable to a one-year deal, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports that the Dodgers have signed former Padres and Rangers outfielder Will Venable. The 33-year-old lefty had signed a minor league contract with the Phillies over the offseason, but opted out of it last Saturday to pursue a major league deal.
Venable has struggled in 149 plate appearances at Lehigh Valley this year. He hit just .205/.304/.307 at Lehigh Valley, with two home runs, 19 runs batted in, and two steals
With Yasiel Puig again on the disabled list and Carl Crawford banished to Triple-A, the Dodgers appear to be adding depth to their outfield. Though the numbers don’t necessarily show it this year, Venable has line-drive power, can steal bases, and is a capable defender in an outfield corner. If that’s still anywhere in him, he’ll be of value to the Dodgers, who are six games behind in the division and looking to catch up to the first-place Giants.
In a corresponding roster move, the Dodgers have optioned catcher/infielder Austin Barnes to Triple-A Oklahoma City.