Dodgers release Chris Taylor, owe veteran over $13 million in contract payout
The Los Angeles Dodgers released veteran utility player Chris Taylor on Sunday, parting ways with one of the club’s longest-serving figures and absorbing over $13 million in owed salary.
The move clears a roster spot for Tommy Edman, who was activated from the injured list and returned to the starting lineup for the series finale against the Angels.
Taylor, 34, is still owed $13.4 million from the four-year, $60 million deal he signed ahead of the 2022 season. That includes $9.4 million remaining for 2025 and a $4 million buyout on a 2026 club option.
“It’s been a very emotional week for all of us,” said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. “C.T. and Barnesy have been central to some of our greatest moments. Letting them go was incredibly difficult.”
The roster shake-up follows the rise of rookie Hyeseong Kim, who impressed by hitting .452 over his first 14 games and reaching base in nine straight plate appearances.
Friedman praised Kim for his energy and versatility, calling him “a different look” the team needs as it eyes another World Series run.
Taylor, acquired from Seattle in 2016, became a fan favourite and postseason hero during his time in Los Angeles.
His resume includes a walk-off homer in the 2021 NL Wild Card Game, a three-homer performance in the NLCS, and a leadoff shot in Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
But recent struggles, including a neck injury and a .202 batting average in 2024, left Taylor on the fringes of the roster. He had only 35 plate appearances this season, hitting .200 with two RBIs in 28 games.
“He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around,” Friedman said. “He worked hard every day and gave everything to this team.”
In related moves, right-hander Kirby Yates was placed on the 15-day injured list with a hamstring strain, and Lou Trivino was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Right fielder Teoscar Hernández is expected to return soon, but Kim is set to stay on the active roster.