Dodgers Sign Pitcher AJ Ramos to Their Player Pool

The Dodgers left some room in their 60-man player pool, and now we know why. Los Angeles made a move on Thursday signing a free agent former NL All-Star and bringing their total up to 52 players in the pool. 

Yes, the Dodgers picked up right-handed pitcher AJ Ramos on a minor-league deal, adding to a very deep pitching staff. Ramos last pitched in the Major Leagues in May of 2018 with the Mets. 

Free-agent right-hander AJ Ramos in agreement with #Dodgers on minor-league deal, source tells The Athletic. Will be added to 60-man player pool.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 2, 2020

At his best, Ramos was a lights-out closer for the Miami Marlins. From 2014 to 2016, Ramos locked down 72 saves in 198 innings pitched with a 2.41 earned run average (3.04 FIP). Ramos also tallied 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings but did struggle with control often walking close to 5 per nine.

The fact that he is coming off of injuries makes him the perfect candidate for the Dodgers. 

It was reported earlier this week that Ramos was attempting to make a comeback, and confirmed today on his Twitter page. Ramos recently detailed his comeback efforts with KAMC news in Lubbock Texas as well. 

I know that I have a lot left in me. This is what I love to do. It’s like I have a new motivation. Before, I was motivated to show everybody that I was good enough. Now, I’m motivated just to play — to have the max amount of fun doing it. If there’s a season [in 2020], I’ll be ready for it.

Ramos is coming off labrum surgery and missed all of the 2019 season. However, that apparently has not stopped the 33-year-old from touching the mid-90s on his fastball. The Dodgers aren’t even really rolling the dice on Ramos, given that he is on a minor-league deal and will cost essentially nothing. He’s a very low-risk with a potentially very high reward. 

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