Dodgers News: Pedro Baez Returns to the Mound in AZ

The return of Pedro Baez is not something that any Dodgers fans had on their bingo card for the 2022 season. But with their issues on the pitching staff and Baez being designated for assignment by the Astros at the end of April, it felt like an absolute certainty that he would be back. 

The Dodgers proceeded to sign him to a minor-league deal just a few weeks later. But Baez is working his way back from a series of issues he dealt with in Houston. A shoulder issue limited him to just 7 total games with the Astros after signing a $12.5 million deal. 

But Baez is taking big steps with the Dodgers, including getting into a game with the ACL team in Arizona this week. Baez tossed a scoreless inning in which he punched out a batter. That’s the first step towards getting him big-league ready. 

Pedro Báez, back with the Dodgers, pitched tonight in the complex league in Arizona. https://t.co/YKLgHduV4s

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 6, 2022

Dodgers fans obviously have their opinions about Baez, and rightfully so. It often felt like Dave Roberts would leave him out there too long or that he would come in behind Clayton Kershaw and give up a lead. But to his credit, he did have a decent run of success with them too.

He was really good between 2017 and 2018, compiling a 2.92 ERA across 120 innings of work. He 126 batters and put up a 3.84 FIP as well. So while the hope is that the Dodgers won’t need him, he could be a fresh arm for late in the season. 

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