Just over one week into the 2016 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen is again a target of criticism, as the group of relievers have failed to protect multiple leads. The Dodgers dealt with inconsistency in their bullpen last season until late in the year when Luis Avilan and Chris Hatcher emerged as viable options.
The duo, along with J.P. Howell and Kenley Jansen, gave former manager Don Mattingly a handful of reliable options. While Avilan avoided arbitration with the Dodgers during the offseason, he did not make the roster out of Spring Training.
That spot instead to Louis Coleman, who signed in February and proceeded to put together a strong spring. Since the season began, Los Angeles has continued to add to their crop of relievers throughout the organization.
Sean Burnett, Sam LeCure and Dale Thayer all signed to a Minor League contract, and now the Dodgers reportedly signed Joe Thatcher, per Chris Cotillo of SB Nation:
Source: Dodgers sign Joe Thatcher to minor-league deal.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 16, 2016
Thatcher spent Spring Training with the Cleveland Indians, but was granted his release once it was made apparent he would not make the club’s Opening Day roster. He posted a 1.35 ERA and had eight strikeouts to zero walks over 6.2 innings.
Last season, Thatcher sported a 3.18 ERA, 3.00 FIP, 1.54 WHIP and averaged 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 43 appearances (22.2 innings) with the Houston Astros. While he primarily faced left-handed batters, they hit .245/.365/.321 off Thatcher.
Thatcher owns a career 3.38 ERA, 3.19 FIP and 1.32 WHIP over parts of nine seasons with the San Diego Padres (2007-13), Arizona Diamondbacks (2013-14), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2014) and Indians (2015).
