For those needing a dramatis personae, or those who mistook Chris Stratton for Andrew Heaney (oops), Stratton is a journeyman pitcher who was drafted by and debuted with the San Francisco Giants before bouncing around the league. Stratton broke into the league as a six-pitch starter, but shifted to the bullpen once joining the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 2019.
Stratton started the year in the Kansas City Royals organization and generally underwhelmed in a low-leverage role. Over the first three
months of the season, Stratton appeared in 12 games, pitching 17 innings with a 7.94 ERA and a 4.19 FIP. He struck out 16 while walking eight. Stratton also allowed 29 hits while having a BABIP of .443.
On May 18, the Royals designated Stratton for assignment, and he was released four days later.
On May 25, the Dodgers gave Stratton a shot, as the team needed bullpen coverage. Accordingly, Bobby Miller was sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and J.P. Feyereisen was designated for assignment.
On May 26, Stratton spoke to Kirsten Watson about joining the Dodgers.
Stratton did not see any action until the New York Yankees series at Dodger Stadium about a week later in two low-leverage appearances. You might remember one of those games as the day the Dodgers literally beat Aaron Judge 18-2. Stratton gave up one of the two to Judge.
On June 2, the Dodgers designated Stratton for assignment, as the team needed replacement arms in the bullpen. Out went Noah Davis and Stratton, and in came Will Klein and Ryan Loutos. On June 5, rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Stratton elected for free agency.
Normally, this point is where these types of reviews would usually end. But something odd happened, as the Dodgers were cycling through relievers during the early part of the summer with little effect.
The next day, Stratton channeled his inner Billy Preston and came right back to the major league club. Out with Loutos, in went Stratton for Round 2.
Stratton made one more appearance in a mop-up role against the St. Louis Cardinals that very day to close out the game. Wilson Contreras concluded the scoring that afternoon.
One thing you can say about Stratton is that his allowed homers in 2025 are certainly not wall scrapers.
The next day, the Chris Stratton Encore came to an end when the Dodgers designated Stratton for assignment for the second time in a week. On June 9, rather than accept another assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Stratton again elected for free agency, where he remained for the rest of the season.
No word yet on whether Stratton will hang it up or give it another go in 2026. Regardless, he will likely get a championship ring, a full share of playoff money, and serve as a trivia answer for those who obsess over fringe roster moves from the 2025 season.
2025 particulars
Age: 35
Stats: 0-0, 3 games with LA, 4 IP, 3 R, 2 HR, 6 K, 2 BB, 6.75 ERA, 8.14 FIP, 5.33 xERA, 1.250 WHIP, 0 rWAR, -0.1 fWAR
Salary: $4.5 million (with the Dodgers responsible for an unknown prorated portion of the league minimum)
Game of the year
Stratton faced the Yankees for the second time on June 1, where he struck out four in two innings of mop-up work.
Roster status
Stratton is a free agent.
