Thompson has turned blue by rejoining the LA Dodgers, hopefully second time is a charm

Trayce Thompson is back with the "Boys in Blue."

With right-fielder Mookie Betts on the IL with a cracked rib, and out of the lineup for at least two weeks, the Dodgers added some outfield depth, announcing an agreement with the Tigers on a deal that sent 31-year-old Thompson to LA in exchange for cash considerations.

Maybe the second time as a Dodger will be a charm for the right-handed hitting Thompson.

His brother Klay just won the NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors and his Dad, Mychal, is a Lakers legend, so you know that his genetic code is solid.

Thompson won't immediately occupy a 40-man roster spot with the Dodgers, but more than likely will be added within the next few days.

A former second-round pick of the White Sox, he's appeared in parts of six big league seasons, including a 2016-17 run wearing Dodger blue, appearing in 107 games, the most playing time he's compiled with any of the five MLB teams he's been associated with.

That includes a six-game run with the division-rival Padres this season where he didn't produce but had success in the minors. In the minors with the Padres and Tigers, Thompson compiled a .305/.365/.721 line and hammered 17 homers in 41 games. The power he displayed was enough to convince the Dodgers front office to bring him back.

Unfortunately, in recent years, his subpar on-base numbers have given him the journeyman label.

Thompson will be a stand-in while Betts recovers, but hopefully will be a force against left-handed pitchers and be a productive late-inning defensive replacement.

The Dodgers' brass was wise in how they arranged bringing in Thompson. They didn't have to give up a prospect and once Betts is taken off the shelf, Thompson will be invaluable off the bench.

Plus, he'll have his legendary Lakers' father to root for him at Dodgers home games.

 

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