The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have made their first known move of the offseason, releasing right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer to free agency, per his transaction tracker on MLB.com.
Sauer, 26, joined the Dodgers last offseason on a minor league deal. He was initially supposed to be non-roster depth but ended up making the team’s Opening Day roster for the Japan Series. He didn’t pitch in either of the two games, though, and then reopened the season in Triple-A.
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Sauer made just one appearance in Triple-A before being summoned to the Dodgers amid their early rash of injuries. He was then up and down a few times over the course of the season.
Overall, Sauer appeared in 10 games for the Dodgers at the big league level this season, accruing a 6.37 ERA across 29.2 innings. He started one game and finished four, working out of different roles when LA needed help.
At Triple-A Oklahoma City, Sauer made 18 appearances (17 starts), sporting a 5.86 ERA across 83 innings.
Sauer will now head to free agency, where he’ll look for his next home. Sauer will likely look to sign a minor league deal with another organization, adding non-roster depth while hoping to earn a role in spring training.
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Matt Sauer Career
Sauer was initially drafted by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft. The right-hander worked his way up through the Yankees organization before being selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 2023 Rule 5 draft.
Sauer appeared in 14 games with the Royals in 2024, accruing a 7.71 ERA across 16.1 innings. He was then returned to the Yankees, where he finished the 2024 season in the minor leagues.
He elected free agency and joined the Dodgers, where he ended up winning a ring in 2025 after appearing in 10 regular season games.
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