Dodgers DFA Amed Rosario two weeks after acquiring him as Mookie Betts returns

Amed Rosario’s second stint with the Dodgers came to a quick halt on Monday two weeks after Los Angeles acquired him at the trade deadline late last month. 

Rosario was designated for assignment after LA reinstated Mookie Betts from the 10-day injured list. 

Rosario, who spent his first four big league seasons with the Mets, had only made 12 plate appearances for the Dodgers after the trade while hitting .273 with three hits and two RBIs. 

He also made three appearances in the infield for the Dodgers. 

The Dodgers sent minor league reliever Michael Flynn to the Rays in exchange for the infielder/outfielder, who was dealt to Los Angeles at the deadline for the second consecutive season. 

Rosario had signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Rays in the offseason and had hoped to bounce back after a rough 2023 season which he split between Cleveland and Los Angeles. 

The move is a tough one the Dodgers had to make with Betts coming off the IL and it allows a player that can be utilized at several positions in the field hit the open market.

Betts returns to the Dodgers after being sidelined since June 16 with a fractured left hand.

The Dodgers had already decided that Betts would not bat leadoff or man the infield when he returned to the field. 

“He is most confident right now in right field versus at shortstop,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters.

Los Angeles placed Betts in right field in Monday’s series opener with the Brewers and had him bat second behind Shohei Ohtani. 

The Dodgers have been reeling from injuries and Betts’ return is welcomed by the organization, which will need to make some more tough roster decisions as those players return to the lineup as time passes.