The Los Angeles Dodgers used a franchise record 39 pitchers during the 2021 season, and among the group was Jake Reed, who began the year with the L.A. Angels.
The right-hander posted an 8.44 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 10.2 innings across 10 appearances with the Angels’ Triple-A Salt Lake City affiliate before being released on June 2.
The Dodgers signed Reed to a Minor League contract shortly after and called him up to a July 6 matchup against the Miami Marlins. He made his Dodgers debut that night and served as an opener in the following game.
Reed went on to appear in six games for L.A. and allowed three runs (two earned) across 5.1 innings pitched. He was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 19 as the corresponding roster move to activating Victor Gonzalez off the 10-day injured list.
The Dodgers designated Reed for assignment two days later in order to add Billy McKinney to their 40-man roster after he was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets.
Reed was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays later that week. The 29-year-old appeared in one game with the organization’s Triple-A Durham affiliate before being designated for assignment a second time.
Reed then was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, with whom he finished out the season. He found more success on the East Coast, going 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.03 FIP and 1.07 WHIP with five strikeouts against no walks in 4.2 innings pitched (four games).
Reed’s 2021 highlight
Reed’s best outing of the 2021 highlight ironically came against the Dodgers on Aug. 15 in what marked his Mets debut. He allowed two hits over three scoreless innings and collected three strikeouts.
2022 outlook
After spending time with four organizations this past season, Reed appears to have found a home in New York. He presumably will have an opportunity to earn a spot in the Mets’ Opening Day bullpen during Spring Training, and at minimum, provides valuable organizational depth.
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