Former Dodgers Outfielder Released by MLB’s Worst Team, Announces Wild Position Change

The last lowlight of Joey Gallo’s career was challenging a strike right down the middle during a Chicago White Sox Cactus League game.

The former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder was released by Major League Baseball’s worst team and quickly made an announcement that nobody saw coming.

“It’s been fun outfield,” he captioned the post, which included a video of him throwing out runners on the bases.

He later clarified: “Just to be clear, I will be pitching.”

Gallo would be the latest big leaguer to explore pitching as a way to extend his career.

Just last season, veteran utility player Brett Phillips attempted a transition to the mound, signing a minor league deal with the Yankees. More recently, former outfielder Tyler Naquin, an eight-year MLB veteran, made a similar move by joining the Cleveland Guardians on a minor league deal as a pitcher.

Pitching isn’t foreign to Gallo, either. While in high school at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, he pitched a no-hitter during his senior year and was named the Nevada Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.

Gallo is respected for his strong arm and big bat but he hasn’t been consistent at the plate and tends to strike out a lot. In spring training with Chicago, the two-time All-Star managed just two hits in 20 at-bats while striking out 11 times.

He struggled at the plate last season with the Washington Nationals, hitting .161 with 10 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 102 strikeouts in 223 at-bats. The Nationals declined his $8 million mutual option in November.

Gallo made his MLB debut in 2015 and earned All-Star selections in 2019 and 2021. He also won Gold Glove Awards in 2020 and 2021.

Over parts of 10 MLB seasons, Gallo has hit .194 with 208 home runs, 453 RBIs, and 1,292 strikeouts across 2,869 at-bats. He has played for the Texas Rangers (2015-21), New York Yankees (2021-22), Los Angeles Dodgers (2022), Minnesota Twins (2023), and Washington Nationals.