The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering their first week of Spring Training workouts with more than 20 players part of big league camp as non-roster invites.
The initial group comprised of top prospects, organizational depth and veterans with MLB experience. Since the Dodgers first announced their non-roster invitees to 2022 Spring Training, they have signed Reyes Moronta, Hanser Alberto, Jake Lamb and Mike Wright.
Moronta’s deal was a Minor League contract with a non-roster invite to Spring Training, while Alberto joined the team as a Major League signing that includes a team option for 2023.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Dodgers have added another non-roster invite to Spring Training by signing Yency Almonte:
Dodgers have signed right-handed reliever Yency Almonte to a minor league deal with a NRI to big league camp, source tell The Athletic. Will make $1.5 million if he makes the big league club.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 14, 2022
Almonte was selected by the L.A. Angels in the 17th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, but traded to the Chicago White Sox in February 2015 to complete a deal from the prior August. The White Sox then traded Almonte to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Tommy Kahnle, who now is with the Dodgers as well.
Almonte made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2018, though only appeared in 14 games. He struggled the following year before bouncing back in 2020 by going 3-0 with one save and a 2.93 ERA over 24 games.
That was followed by more trouble last season, as the right-hander went 1-3 with a 7.55 ERA in 48 games.
Overall in his career thus far, the 27-year-old is 4-4 with a 5.30 ERA, 4.83 FIP and 1.44 WHIP across 114 relief appearances.
Dodgers re-sign Kershaw
The Dodgers officially announced the re-signing of Clayton Kershaw on Sunday. His one-year contract reportedly is worth $17 million and includes incentives.
“I think what Kersh has meant to this organization and city of Los Angeles goes without talking about,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “I think going into the offseason for us, it was the No. 1 priority.
“Keeping Kersh in Dodger Blue was our biggest priority coming in. Through the conversations, felt confident but not knowing for sure. And then post-lockout, he was the first phone call I made and we worked quickly to get it done.”
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