Following the MLB lockout during the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers quickly went to work filling out their roster by signing Clayton Kershaw and Freddie Freeman.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes also addressed the organization’s Minor League depth with some upside fliers, which included a deal with Dellin Betances.
The once-elite reliever pitched just 13.1 innings since the start of the 2019 season, including 11.2 of those during the 2020 season. Looking to give his career one more opportunity to continue, Betances signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers despite not being fully recovered from the season-ending surgery he had in June.
Betances resumed pitching in games at the Rookie League and later joined Triple-A Oklahoma City. However, Betances has reportedly decided to retire after finding little success on the mound, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
Dellin Betances, former All-Star reliever with the Yankees, has retired. Had been in Dodgers organization.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 17, 2022
With the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Betances appeared in 15 games while pitching 13 innings, but he posted a 11.08 ERA. The results weren’t too much better in the Rookie League as he pitched to a 7.36 ERA, however it was only over 3.2 innings.
Betances was a key member of the New York Yankees bullpen from 2014 to 2018, when he appeared in at least 66 games during each of those five seasons. Included in that stretch was a sub-2.00 ERA in both 2014 and 2015, which were All-Star campaigns for the right-hander.
In his final season with the Yankees, multiple shoulder and Achilles injuries limited Betances to just one appearance. Despite the lost season, the Mets signed Betances to a two-year contract, beating out the Dodgers to get a deal done, but he only appeared in 16 games over the life of that contract.
In his career, the right-hander pitched to a 2.53 ERA in 394.1 innings at the Major League with 633 strikeouts.
Craig Kimbrel remains Dodgers closer
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called on Craig Kimbrel, who has had his share of struggles this season, to protect a one-run lead on Tuesday, but he was not able to secure the win.
With the runner on second base to start the inning, Hunter Renfroe singled on a soft bunt, which advanced Andrew McCutchen to third. Kimbrel then followed by striking out Kolten Wong and walking Luis Urías before Victor Caratini delivered the game-winning two-run on a weak fly ball.
While Kimbrel was not able to pick up his 21st save of the season, Roberts believed the veteran right-hander threw the ball well and suffered some unlucky circumstances.
Roberts turned to Kimbrel the following night, and was rewarded for his faith. Despite ongoing struggles, Roberts said Kimbrel remains the Dodgers’ closer.
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