The Los Angeles Dodgers have left no stone unturned in their quest for organizational pitching depth, which of late led to the signing of Cole Hamels, along with claiming the likes of Conner Greene and Evan Phillips off waivers.
Unfortunately, Hamels was placed on the 60-day injured list on Monday due to left shoulder trouble. That ended his comeback season before it truly began with the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, Greene has appeared in two games for L.A., but Phillips has yet to join the active roster after being claimed from the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Dodgers now appear primed to add another relief pitcher to their roster as they are close to signing Shane Greene, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
Shane Greene and the Dodgers are getting close to an agreement on a Major League deal, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 17, 2021
Greene was designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves last week and subsequently released. Despite successful campaigns in 2019 and 2020, the right-hander remained a free agent until re-signing with Atlanta on a one-year deal in May.
Greene initially reported to Triple-A Gwinnett to build up arm strength before joining the Braves’ active roster in June. He went on to appear in 19 games but struggled to the tune of an 8.47 ERA, 6.77 FIP and 1.82 WHIP.
That’s a far cry from the combined 2.39 ERA Greene sported for the 2019-2020 seasons, though there was some to be desired with a 23.5% strikeout rate.
This year the 32-year-old has pitched to 20.5% strikeout percentage and 10.8% walk rate, but a 30.4% groundball rate that is a career-low mark.
The Dodgers previously were connected to Greene at the 2019 MLB trade deadline, when the Detroit Tigers ultimately ended up sending him to the Braves.
Dodgers franchise record for pitchers
Assuming Greene — and Neftalí Féliz, who was called up on Monday — appear in a game for the Dodgers at some point this season, it will add to their franchise record for most pitchers used.
The mark was broken when Justin Bruihl became the Dodgers’ 32nd pitcher this season, and it increased to 34 with Conner Greene and Andre Jackson.
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