Javy Guerra has been optioned to AAA after a rough spring in which he dealt with injury and had been limited to just a couple of appearances. The Dodgers have a deep pen and, with Guerra’s injuries and struggles, he was going to have to excel during Spring Training to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Tony Gwynn Jr. was also assigned to AAA Albuquerque. Gwynn was one of the few guys with the ability to backup Matt Kemp and previous big-league experience doing so, but the move reinforces just how little Tony can swing the lumber and the fact that the Dodgers clearly have faith that Carl Crawford will be healthy enough to serve as the number two center fielder.

Shawn Tolleson and Justin Sellers were optioned to AAA, while Jesus Flores was reassigned to minor-league camp. Additionally, Chris Withrow was optioned to minor-league camp along with Juan Abreu and Wilkin Castillo.

—–

The team released three players in Dallas McPherson, Ramon Castro, and Nick Evans.

—–

On the flip side of things, the team has signed Dashenko Ricardo of Curacao to a contract after Dashenko participated in the World Baseball Classic.

Along with Ricardo came the signings of Dominican prospects Dennis Santana and Carlos Aquino – both shortstops – and lefty Cesar Romero.

—–

Tim Federowicz has probably locked up the job of backing up A.J. Ellis with the removal of Jesus Flores from major-league camp.

=====

Greg Zakwin is the founder of the site Plaschke Thy Sweater Is Argyle. Follow him on Twitter @ArgyledPlaschke.

The Dodgers continue to spend internationally with the signings of teenagers Michael Medina and Carlos Aquino out of the Dominican Republic, both of whom Chad covered here.

—–

The Dodgers signed three more players to minor-league deals with invitations to Spring Training: Victor Garate, Mario Santiago, and Ryan Mount.

Garate is a former Dodger prospect who is probably best known for being one half of the package the Dodgers sent to the Nationals in exchange for Ronnie Belliard. His acquisition is the most interesting because of his role as a left-handed reliever.

—–

The team also signed right-handed pitcher Kyle Cofield and outfielder Jaylen Harris to minor-league deals.

=====

Greg Zakwin is the founder of the site Plaschke Thy Sweater Is Argyle. Follow him on Twitter @ArgyledPlaschke.

The Dodgers have signed 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Michael Medina and Dominican shortstop Carlos Aquino, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America & Roberto Baly of Vin Scully Is My Homeboy, respectively. Medina was signed for $275,000, whereas Aquino agreed for $75,000.

Medina, who is from Santo Domingo and trained with Amauris Nina, is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and played in the International Prospect League all-star game last week. He showed a projectable frame with good bat speed from the right side, power and the ability to use the opposite field. He most likely projects as a corner outfielder, with a solid arm that could fit in right field.

Medina was one of the youngest players who became eligible to sign in 2012, as he didn’t turn 16 until Aug. 24. Had he been born a little more than a week later, he wouldn’t have been eligible to sign until July 2, 2013.

Carlos Aquino is a shortstop from Santiago D.R., which is the same town as Jose Reyes. The Dodgers and Aquino agree to a contract value of $75,000. The contract is pending MLB approval. I don’t have his exact age yet.

Here’s a YouTube video of Aquino batting for scouts last year in ‘Estadio Jose Reyes’. He’s batting left-handed here but I’m reading reports that he is a switch hitter.

—–

Both obviously still have work to do and have a long way to go, but most importantly, the Dodgers are leaving footprints all over the international market now, and it’s just weird (but awesome, of course) to experience.