Ryan Lavarnway is headed to the National League.
The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed Lavarnway off waivers from the Boston Red Sox on Friday. Lavarnway was designated for assignment last week after the Red Sox agreed to a five-year contract with Pablo Sandoval.
Lavarnway never lived up to expectations with the Red Sox. The Yale product was considered a top 100 prospect after a monster 2011 season in which he hit .290 with 32 homers and 93 RBIs in 116 games split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, but his power has since dropped considerably. He became expendable amid Boston’s 40-man roster crunch.
Lavarnway played exclusively catcher until this season, at which point he learned to play first base. The 27-year-old spent the bulk of 2014 with Pawtucket, hitting .283 with three homers, 20 RBIs and a .389 on-base percentage in 257 plate appearances spanning 62 games.
Lavarnway has 97 games of major league experience. He hit .201 with five homers, 34 RBIs and a .249 on-base percentage in 201 plate appearances.
The Dodgers designated catcher Drew Butera for assignment to make room for Lavarnway.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
