Zach Penrod is in many ways the reason why I enjoy this annual series of player reviews. The left-hander did not pitch for the Dodgers in 2025, but did spend six weeks on the 40-man roster. He was deemed
important enough to occupy a roster spot, so why not chronicle his time with the team, which you might not know if only perusing the Dodgers’ Baseball Reference page.
Penrod was not drafted out of college, and spent time in the Texas Rangers system and in the Independent Pioneer League before finding a home in the Boston Red Sox minor leagues in 2023. He pitched in seven games for the Red Sox in 2024 and started this season in Triple-A Worcester.
The Dodgers acquired Penrod for cash considerations on June 20, and sent him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Roki Sasaki was moved to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster for the left-hander.
Penrod pitched in bulk relief for Oklahoma City, with 10 of his 19 appearances lasting longer than one inning. The results were not good, with more walks (30) than strikeouts (23) and an 8.65 ERA, though the latter number was 5.32 before a disastrous final three appearances in which Penrod allowed 11 runs and recorded seven outs.
He was designated for assignment on August 1, which made room on the 40-man roster for the return of Blake Snell from the 60-day injured list the next day. So in a very small way, Penrod did contribute to the Dodgers’ postseason run.
After clearing waivers, Penrod was sent outright to Oklahoma City and remained there for the rest of the season.
2025 stats
Age: 28
Stats: 8.65 ERA, 26 innings, 30 walks, 23 strikeouts in Triple-A Oklahoma City
Salary: unknown
Game of the year
On July 6 against Las Vegas, in his third game for Oklahoma City, Penrod pitched three scoreless innings from the fourth to the seventh innings, and picked up the win, one of two he notched for the Comets.
Roster status
Penrod is a minor league free agent.
