While we’re still a few weeks away from major league free agency, down in the minor leagues, things are definitely already active. In recent days we’ve seen a few players elect free agency and enter the open market early. That was also the case for minor league reliever Zack Burdi who elected free agency last week.
Burdi joined the Dodgers from the Tampa Bay Rays in May on a waiver wire deal. The journeyman right-hander never pitched for the LA big league club but did get into 4 games at Triple-A before being placed on the injured list in June and missing the rest of the season.
Over parts of 3 MLB seasons, Burdi owns an 8.44 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks in 18 games with the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and the Rays. He’s pitched to a 4.43 ERA in 132 minor league games over 7 seasons.
A former first round pick by the White Sox, Burdi is still just 28 years old but has been slowed by injuries over his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted. He also suffered a right knee injury in 2019 that required surgery.
Photo Credit: Dave Nelson-USA TODAY Sports