The Los Angeles Dodgers are less than one week away from beginning their 2024 Cactus League schedule with a matchup against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex.
Pitchers and catchers have been participating in workouts at Camelback Ranch for parts of the last two weeks and were accompanied by position players on Valentine’s Day. Although the Dodgers roster largely appears set, the team has continued to add around the margins.
Chris Owings was signed to a Minor League contract after the Dodgers opened camp, and now the team appears to have added a veteran relief pitcher.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Dodgers signed Justin Wilson:
Free-agent reliever Justin Wilson in agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers, pending physical, according to a source familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 16, 2024
Wilson’s contract with the Dodgers is a Minor League deal and includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Source: It’s a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training for Justin Wilson with the Dodgers. https://t.co/OMcIgmo9dV
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 16, 2024
Wilson spent the 2023 season with the Milwaukee Brewers organization but never pitched in a game. After completing a 14-month rehab process for Tommy John surgery, the left-hander was injured while warming up to make his 2023 debut in a July game.
Wilson was diagnosed with a left lat strain and placed on the 15-day injured list. Shortly after he was transferred to the 60-day IL and the lat strain prevented him from pitching in the Majors last year.
The Dodgers previously had significant interest in Wilson at the 2017 trade deadline, when the Detroit Tigers sent him to the Chicago Cubs. Wilson went on to become an injury replacement for the Cubs against the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series that year.
Justin Wilson stats
Over parts of 11 seasons, Wilson is a career 33-24 with 18 saves, a 3.41 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He last pitched at the Major League level for the Cincinnati Reds in 2022.
Wilson was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth round of the 2008 MLB Draft. Wilson made his MLB debut with the Pirates 2012 and has also pitched for New York Yankees, Tigers, Cubs and New York Mets.
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