When the Dodgers acquired right-hander Stephen Fife from the Boston Red Sox on July 31, 2011, they weren’t exactly sure what they were getting. But they thought highly enough of him after only six starts with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts (3-1, 4.01 ERA) to add him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Fife began the 2012 season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes where he posted a 4.53 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 10 starts. So when he was suddenly called up to the Dodgers on July 17, 2012 to make a spot start for the injured Chad Billingsley, it came as quite a surprise to everyone – including Stephen Fife. In his MLB debut Fife allowed only one run on four hits with three walks and one strikeout in six innings of work. He left the game poised for the win only to have it blown by former Dodgers closer Ronald Belisario.

The 28-year-old Boise, Idaho native would go on to make a total of 16 starts for the Dodgers over the next three seasons, usually as a spot starter to replace a regular starter on the mend. He posted a 4-6 record and 3.66 ERA over those three seasons – not top of the rotation stuff but certainly good enough for a number four or number five spot in the rotation. Unfortunately Fife himself fell victim to the injury bug with several bouts of bursitis in his right shoulder.

Fife’s brief legacy with the Dodgers will be that of the ‘Go To Guy’ when one of the regular starters was injured – a role that he filled well. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Fife would make one start with the Dodgers in 2014 on May 4 against the Miami Marlins allowing four runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out five. Unfortunately three of those seven hits were home runs and he also hit a batter. Even though Fife once again would not factor into the decision of the eventual 5-4 Dodgers loss, he was sent back to Albuquerque the next day and remained there until landing on the disabled list for what was called “a sore arm.” Unfortunately that sore arm turned into Tommy John surgery on August 13, 2014, thus ending his hopes for a shot at the Dodgers starting rotation in 2015.

Fife’s brief up and down three-year career with the Dodgers came to an end on Monday when it was announced that they had reactivated him from the 60-day DL and designated him for assignment. And while this may sound a bit harsh, it actually could be a blessing for the extremely likable right-hander – it gives him a jump in the free agency market where hopefully another MLB team will give him an opportunity to return to the big leagues.

Godspeed to you, Stephen.