Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Victor Gonzalez works against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Victor Gonzalez, formerly of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has officially become a free agent after being released by the New York Yankees.
The Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders confirmed the release, marking a significant moment in Gonzalez’s career.
Traded to the Yankees in December 2023, Gonzalez was part of a deal that sent away promising infielder Trey Sweeney. His journey over the past year has been tumultuous, reflecting both potential and struggles. During his time with the Yankees, Gonzalez posted a 3.86 earned run average (ERA) through 27 appearances. He showed flashes of his potential, particularly holding left-handed batters to a mere .143 average.
However, his performance began to wane as his walk rate surged to an alarming 13.4%, which exceeded his strikeout rate of 11.3%. Following these struggles, Gonzalez was designated for assignment, and he subsequently was reassigned to Triple-A, where he managed a 4.50 ERA over 22 innings. Gonzalez’s earlier years with the Dodgers were marked by impressive achievements. He debuted in 2020 with a striking 1.33 ERA across 20.1 innings
Particularly noteworthy was his contribution during the Dodgers’ World Series push, where he maintained a commendable 2.70 ERA. However, an elbow debridement surgery in 2022 sidelined him for an entire season, leading to a mixed performance upon his return in 2023. As a free agent, Gonzalez will seek to rejuvenate his career and find a new opportunity to showcase his abilities. His 4.00+ ERA records in 2024 contrast his past potential, highlighting the variability of a player’s journey in the MLB.
