Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Matt Sauer will start the team's bullpen game in Thursday's series finale against the visiting Athletics, according to manager Dave Roberts. Sauer, a former second-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2017 will be making his first career "start" in the big leagues after debuting with the Kansas City Royals in 2024. The 26-year-old has allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits while walking one and striking out eight in 11 2/3 innings over four relief appearances for the Blue so far this year. He made three starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this year, though, and worked as many as five innings in relief against the Miami Marlins back on April 29. Sauer has the ability to go deeper than most typical openers, but he still won't be a recommended fantasy streamer against an A's team that isn't all that bad.

The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned pitching prospect Matt Sauer to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday. The club had just selected the righty's contract and he could have pitched in the Tokyo Series but did not enter either contest. The 26-year-old will head back to the minors in hopes of getting another shot in the majors later this season, likely in a low-leverage relief role. Known for a 17-strikeout performance at Double-A in 2022, the former second-round draft pick pitched to a 1:8 BB:K this spring in seven-and-two-thirds innings pitched, but it also came with seven earned runs allowed on 10 hits. Even if he makes it back to the majors this season, fantasy managers in deep NL-only leagues may want to see him prove he can be successful before rostering him. Additionally, RHP Landon Knack and OF James Outman were also optioned to Triple-A.

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of pitching prospect Matt Sauer on Tuesday. Justin Wrobleski was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and Clayton Kershaw (toe) was transferred to the 60-day IL in order to free up the roster space needed. Sauer was a second-round draft pick in 2017 and made his MLB debut last season with the Royals, posting a 7.71 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, and an 11:9 BB:K in 16 1/3 IP. The results over the course of his minor league career have been better, with a 4.37 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 15.8 percent K-BB% in 414 IP. Although the righty gave up seven earned runs so far this spring in just seven-and-two-thirds innings, the command has improved with a 1:8 BB:K. The 6-foot-4 hurler will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever and the leash may be short, so for now, he's off the fantasy radar.

Free-agent right-hander Matt Sauer signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, according to a source. The 25-year-old was a big-league Rule 5 pick of the Kansas City Royals last year and was originally the New York Yankees' second-round selection back in 2017. The 25-year-old made the Opening Day roster for the Royals and appeared in 14 games out of the bullpen for KC. He wasn't very good in his MLB debut, though, allowing 14 earned runs on 23 hits while walking 11 and striking out nine in 16 1/3 innings pitched. Sauer was eventually returned to the Yankees and wasn't much better in 32 1/3 frames at Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a 6.12 ERA. It's possible the Dodgers will look to move him back into a starting role as minor-league depth.