LOS ANGELES_After eight strikeouts in 15 postseason plate appearances, Curtis Granderson lost his spot on the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series roster. The veteran outfielder and rookie catcher Kyle Farmer were removed to make room for shortstop Corey Seager and pitcher Brandon McCarthy.
Seager missed the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs because of a lower back sprain. The team decided to keep backup infielder Charlie Culberson, who batted .455 in Seager's absence, on the roster, and trusted the left-handed-hitting outfielder combination of Andre Ethier and Joc Pederson over Granderson.
"The at-bats that Curtis has taken over the last month haven't been what I know he would expect," manager Dave Roberts said before Tuesday's game. "And for us to win this series I think that it was the best for us."
The Dodgers acquired Granderson from the New York Mets on Aug. 18. He cost them minor league reliever Jacob Rhame.
Granderson most often contributed strikeouts. He was punched out in 25 percent of his plate appearances. He batted .161. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, he went one for 15 and looked feeble during a four-strikeout game against the Cubs in Game 4 of the NLCS.
Roberts said he spoke with Granderson, 36, about the decision Monday night. "Curtis handled it like the pro that he is," Roberts said.
McCarthy has not pitched in a game since Oct. 1, and appeared in only five games after the All-Star break. He was slowed by various ailments that included blisters, tendinitis in his knee and mechanical glitches in his delivery. McCarthy has pitched in three simulated games this postseason, Roberts said.
