The Los Angeles Dodgers signed veteran relief pitcher Jamey Wright on Tuesday to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to big league camp. He will wear No. 96 during Spring Training.
Wright spent last spring with the Texas Rangers, but was released at the end of camp and didn’t pitch. In 2014, he appeared in 61 games with the Dodgers, including one start. He finished the year 5-4 with a 4.35 ERA, 3.47 FIP and 1.41 WHIP.
In 2012, Wright was 5-3 with a 3.72 ERA, 3.39 FIP and 1.51 WHIP over 66 games with the Dodgers. Between the two stints with the club, the right-hander was with the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2013 season.
Should Wright make the roster, this season would mark his 20th in the Majors. In addition to Los Angeles and Tampa Bay, Wright has also spent time with Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians.
The Dodgers bullpen returns much of the same relievers from 2015. Added to the group over the offseason were Joe Blanton and more recently, Louis Coleman. Wright faces an uphill battle in making the club out of spring given the depth.
However, Wright does have experience in this area as he made a club for eight consecutive seasons from 2005-13 as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training.
With the complete roster now in camp, the Dodgers’ first full-squad workout is scheduled for Thursday. Prior to that, manager Dave Roberts is expected to address the team in a similar manner in which he delivered a strong message and set expectations with pitchers and catchers.
