Like all other teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers have largely been limited to Minor League signings and front office additions for the majority of the season. Though, the Dodgers did sign Andrew Heaney and Daniel Hudson, along with agree to terms to retain Chris Taylor.
However, since the MLB lockout began in December, they have transitioned to filling out organizational depth. Over recent weeks L.A. has signed Tomas Telis and Eddy Alvarez to respective Minor League contracts, and re-signed Yefry Ramirez.
They additionally appear to have added Sam Gaviglio as well, with the right-hander receiving a non-roster invitation to 2022 Spring Training, according to Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com:
Righty Sam Gaviglio has agreed to a minor league deal with the #Dodgers, I’m told. Deal has an invitation to Major League spring training.
— Steve Adams (@Adams_Steve) January 28, 2022
Gaviglio was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 40th round in 2008. However, he elected to attend Oregon State University and was later taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB Draft.
The Cardinals traded Gaviglio to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Ty Kelly in November 2014, and he was later claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals in September 2017. That was the same season in which the right-hander made his MLB debut, going 3-5 with a 4.62 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 12 games (11 starts).
Gaviglio appeared in an additional four games (two starts) after getting claimed by the Royals, posting a 1-0 record to go along with a 3.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
The following spring he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later, and remained with the organization until getting released in September. Gaviglio then joined the Texas Rangers last February but was released in June without appearing in an MLB game.
The bulk of Gaviglio’s experience thus far has come with the Blue Jays, where he went a combined 7-13 with a 5.06 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 82 games (24 starts) over parts of three seasons from 2018-2020.
How does Gaviglio fit with the Dodgers?
L.A. presumably will have the 31-year-old begin the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, whose Opening Day remains scheduled for April 8.
It’s not beyond reason to believe Gaviglio may join the Dodgers at some point during the 2022 season, though likely as an option out of the bullpen as he last made a start at the Major League level on Sept. 30, 2018.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
