Dodgers Rumors: Team Expected To Sign Reliever Dustin McGowan
Even with Spring Training underway, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to make moves to improve their roster depth.
On Saturday, the team signed right-hander Brandon Beachy to a one-year deal and he is expected to be ready to pitch around midseason. Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi have made multiple moves this winter with depth in mind. Reclamation projects have become a new commodity with the Dodgers.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the Dodgers could be signing a reliever in the coming days:
Expect the Dodgers to sign free-agent reliever Dustin McGowan, who is at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. The club has not confirmed an agreement.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 22, 2015
McGowan has spent seven seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, on and off from 2005-2014, and is coming off a season in which he appeared in 53 games (eight starts) and had a 4.17 ERA. In his career, the right-hander has pitched in 158 games, starting 68 of those, with a 4.57 ERA. Once McGowan signs, there should be a clearer picture of what the Dodgers are looking to use him for. The 32-year-old has experience starting and ending games, as he finished nine games last season including a save.
With the additions of Beachy, Sergio Santos, David Aardsma and others, the Dodgers will have a full stable of arms fighting for spots. While most might not make the big-league roster, if they manage to stay with the team, the Dodgers will be better suited for injuries. Last season, the team was forced to trade for Roberto Hernandez and Kevin Correia in August because of injuries.
If McGowan does sign, it will just be the latest small move that could become bigger during the season.
