The Los Angeles Dodgers filled a significant void within the organization by promoting former Major League pitcher Brandon Gomes to director of player development. He replaces Gabe Kapler, who held the position for three seasons, before being named Philadelphia Phillies manager at the end of October.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said last month he anticipated a lengthy and thorough search for a replacement, considering the importance of the position. Gomes joined the organization in November 2016 as pitching coordinator of performance.
The 33-year-old last pitched in the Majors in 2015. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 17th round in 2007 out of Tulane University in New Orleans. Gomes made his MLB debut in 2011 with the Tampa Bays Rays, when Friedman was general manager.
In 173 relief appearances over parts of five seasons with the Rays, Gomes went 11-12 with a 4.20 ERA while striking out 144 and walking 61 in 167 innings pitched.
The Dodgers also made official the hire of Ron Porterfield as director of player health. Reports of his joining the organization initially surfaced in early November.
Porterfield will be based out of the club’s Spring Training facility in Glendale, Ariz., and provide assistance to the medical department at the Major and Minor League levels. Porterfield spent the past 21 seasons in the Rays organization, including the past 12 as head athletic trainer.
In 2008, Porterfield received the Career Service Award from the American Sports Medicine Institute, which “recognizes individuals who have provided a career of exemplary care to the baseball players.”
The following year, Porterfield and his assistance athletic trainers were named the Major League Medical Staff of the Year by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.
