As the Los Angeles Dodgers now look to fill out their bullpen, one conceivable option came off the table Wednesday as former Kansas City Royals closer Greg Holland reportedly agreed to terms with the Colorado Rockies.
Holland was one of multiple relief pitchers the Dodgers have been connected to this offseason. The group includes Joe Blanton, Jerry Blevins and Neftali Feliz, among others. Feliz signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, while Blanton and Blevins remain free agents.
The Dodgers’ first move in the bullpen since re-signing Kenley Jansen was inking former San Diego Padres reliever Brandon Morrow to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports:
Source: Dodgers sign Brandon Morrow to a non-roster deal. He'll be a reliever, and if he stays healthy, he's got a good shot to make team.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 26, 2017
According to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times, Morrow will earn $1.25 million should he make the Dodgers roster:
Can confirm Dodgers signed Brandon Morrow to aid the bullpen, as @JeffPassan reported. He'll earn $1.25 million if he makes the roster.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) January 26, 2017
Last season was Morrow’s first as a full-time reliever. He moved into the bullpen after battling injuries in multiple seasons. The right-hander has made at least one trip to the disabled list since 2010.
Morrow underwent shoulder surgery in August 2015 and signed a Minor League deal with the San Diego Padres last offseason. After struggling in starts with High-A Lake Elsinore, Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso, the right-hander was sent to extended Spring Training last May.
Three days later Morrow was said to be suffering from shoulder fatigue.
After the 32-year-old had his contract purchased by the Padres in August, Morrow proceeded to pitch to a 1.69 ERA, 4.33 FIP and 1.38 WHIP in 16 innings over 18 games. During that span he posted a 10.3 percent swinging-strike rate and a fastball that hovered around 94 mph.
Albeit in a small sample size, Morrow averaged a career-best 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings with the Padres last season.
Over parts of 10 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays and Padres, Morrow is 45-43 with a 4.16 ERA, 3.92 FIP, 101 ERA+ and 1.35 WHIP in 254 games (113 starts).
