#Dodgers have reassigned Tony Gwynn Jr. and Wilkin Castillo. Ramon Castro has been released.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 18, 2013

One of those players was Tony Gwynn Jr. The son of legendary Padre Tony Gwynn, Sr. was acquired by the Dodgers in 2011 as a fourth outfielder. Gwynn is a 30 year old left handed hitting outfielder. He was originally drafted by the Brewers in the 2003 amateur draft.

I hope Gywnn makes it back soon.-Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Gwynn  played in 136 games for the Dodgers in 2011, posting a triple slash line of .256/.308/.353 with two home runs, 22 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. Gwynn saw a lot of time that season because of all the injuries, and he was able to see almost as much time in 2012, thanks to the injuries to Matt Kemp among others. In 2012, Gwynn played in 103 games, posting a line of .232./.276/.293. Gwynn stole 13 bases last year, and received 277 plate appearances.

Manager Don Mattingly kind of hinted at Gwynn possibly being cut, by saying something about it being tough to get him at-bats or something like that. Gwynn is a .244 career hitter with 77 stolen bases in his seven major league seasons. It is a bit sad to see Gwynn get cut. I’ve always liked the guy. He is truly one of the nicest guys in the game today. I won’t forget the few games he won with his superior defense. That was Gwynn’s strength, his great outfield defense, and strong throwing arm. Gwynn has played in 11 games this spring, batting .211 (4 for 19) with two stolen bases. Unfortunately Gwynn could never hit well enough to stay on with a major league team.

Gwynn won’t be going back to minor league camp alone though, the Dodgers made sure he would have some company. The Dodgers cut three other players other than Gwynn. Two are joining Gwynn in minor league camp.

The Dodgers cut right handed pitcher Juan Abreu. Abreu is considered a top ranked prospect and has impressed somewhat this spring. Abreu was acquired this winter as a free agent. He has pitched seven innings this spring, allowing no runs, five hits, and whiffing seven. Abreu has looked strong this spring, not allowing a run. Abreu is 26 years old, and from the Dominican. Abreu has appeared in the majors once before. He pitched in seven games for the Astros back in 2011.

February 25, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Ramon Castro (33) throws to first base for the out against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers also cut Wilkin Castillo, and released catcher Ramon Castro. Castillo is the 26 year old infielder/outfielder who was signed by the Dbacks as an amateur free agent back in 2002. Castillo is from the Dominican, and played in a handful of games for the Reds from 2008-2009. While Castillo is 11 for 35 in his Major league career, he was somehow able to appear in 12 games for the Dodgers this spring, going 6 for 18 (.333) with two stolen bases.

The Dodgers released catcher Ramon Castro. Castro is the 37 year old major league veteran backstop with the mug like face only a mother could love. I have no idea why the Dodgers even invited him to spring training. He has been useless for years. Castro has 13 years of major league experience as a backup catcher, but has never been able to hit well. He has a career .237 batting average with 67 big league home runs. Castro has played for three teams, (Mets, Marlins, and White Sox), since his rookie season in 1999 with the Fish, keep in mind, Castro was drafted way back in 1994 by the Astros in the first round. Castro played in eight games for the Dodgers this spring. He batted .214  going 3 for 14 with one home run.

There will be more cuts to come soon. Let’s all light a candle for these guys, as the Dodger’s spring training at Camelback Ranch marches on.

Do you believe that spring training games mean anything? Well the Seattle Mariners do, and they keep taking it out on their opponents. The Dodgers lost their third straight exhibition game Saturday afternoon to the Seattle Mariners by a score of 9-5. The Mariners won their eighth straight spring game, improving their record to eight wins and only one loss. This ties the Seattle team for their longest spring training winning streak since they won eight in a row back in 1993.

Hanley Ramirez-Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile the Dodgers record drops to three wins, four losses, and two ties. It wasn’t all bad for the Dodgers though, as the top of the order had a productive game. Hanley Ramirez, Andre Ethier, and Adrian Gonzalez, combined to go 4 for 7 and drove in three of the Dodger’s five runs in a losing cause.

The Mariners used their power to top the Dodgers at Peoria Stadium. The Mariners lead the league in home runs during spring training, and used two in today’s game to eventually beat the Dodgers 9-5. The Dodgers had an early lead though. The Dodgers were up 3-0 by the third frame. In the top of the first, Hanley Ramirez, and Andre Ethier began the game with consecutive singles, and Ramirez would score on a double play grounder from Gonzalez. The Dodgers added two more in the top of the third. With two outs, Ramirez walked, and Ethier tripled him home.

However the Mariners would rally back to take the lead. Dodger starter Chris Capuano had gotten the first six batters of the game out, but then became unraveled in the bottom of the third. He gave up a lead-off home run to catcher Mike Zunino. Then after a rare miscue from Luis Cruz, Franklin Gutierrez would pop a two run shot, to tie the game at 3-3. Chad Billingsley relieved Cappy in the bottom of the fourth, and Seattle took the lead by scoring two more runs. Zunino, singles, there was a force out, and the after another single from rookie Carlos Truinfel, Gutierrez, the Dodger nemesis of the day, doubled home both runners to give the Mariners a 5-3 lead.

The Mariners added another run in the fifth, when Raul Ibanez doubled, and scored on a Casper Wells sacrifice fly, which made the score 6-3 Seattle. The Mariners scored three more runs in the bottom of the seventh off of Brandon League. They used a single, an error, a twp-run double from John Hicks, and a wild pitch to take a 9-3 lead.

The Dodgers would stage a last minute rally in the top of the ninth, but it was too little too late. The Dodgers scored two runs in the ninth off of four hits and a walk, but it wasn’t enough. With Chance Ruffin on the mound for the Mariners, Jeremy Moore doubled to lead-off. Jesus Flores drew the walk. Osvaldo Martinez’s single scored Moore. Tony Gwynn’s single loaded the bases. Dallas Mcpherson whiffed for the first out of the frame. Omar Luna followed with a base hit to right to score the second run. Everyone else moved up 90 feet, and the bases were still loaded. That was all she wrote, as Alex Castellanos grounded into a game ending double play.

The Dodgers used five pitchers total, Chris Capuano, Chad Billingsley, Ronald Belisario, Brandon League, and J.P. Howell. The Mariners used seven pitchers. Jeremy Bonderman was credited with the win, and Billingsley was charged with the loss. Hisashi Iwakuma pitched two frames as the starting pitcher for Seattle. The Dodgers scored five runs off eleven hits, but also committed three errors.

The Dodgers play the Cleveland Indians tomorrow afternoon at Camelback ranch. Matt Kemp is expected to be in the lineup for his second game back this spring. Once again he will be the DH. He was the DH in his first game on Friday, going 0 for 2. Josh Beckett will be the starter for the Dodgers. The game will be live streaming on the Dodger web site beginning at 1:05 P.M. Join us tomorrow for a complete recap of the game, and more twitter commentary. Go Blue.