The Los Angeles Dodgers made a low-risk, high-reward move with the reported signing of former top prospect and All-Star closer Alex Reyes to a one-year, $1.1 million contract that includes performance bonuses and a team option for 2024.
Reyes was non-tendered by the St. Louis Cardinals at the start of the offseason, which largely stemmed from missing the entire 2022 campaign after undergoing right shoulder surgery in May.
Prior to having his throwing shoulder operated on last year, Reyes had a torn tendon in his latissimus dorsi muscle repaired in 2018, and later underwent Tommy John surgery during 2019 Spring Training. He also missed time the following season due to right shoulder trouble.
Meanwhile, Reyes is expected to be sidelined for at least the first couple of months of the 2023 season, but the Dodgers are optimistic he will return in the second half and be a major part of their bullpen, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
As he recovers, the right-hander is expected to miss at least a couple of months in 2023, but the Dodgers are hopeful he’ll be a big piece of their bullpen toward the end of the season.
The Dodgers have a long history of helping pitchers revitalize their careers, so it doesn’t come as a surprise they first expressed interest in signing Reyes this past November.
The 28-year-old began to struggle during the second half of the 2021 season and was ultimately removed from the closer role. His last pitch at the Major League level was hit by Chris Taylor for a walk-off home run in the National League Wild Card Game that year.
Over parts of five seasons with the Cardinals, Reyes went 16-11 with 31 saves, a 2.86 ERA, 3.87 FIP and 1.35 WHIP over 101 appearances (seven starts).
How does Alex Reyes fit in Dodgers bullpen?
Reyes projects to be part of a strong Dodgers bullpen that experienced significant turnover this offseason, with Tommy Kahnle, Craig Kimbrel and Chris Martin departing in free agency. Blake Treinen could additionally miss all of 2023 after undergoing right shoulder surgery to repair his labrum and rotator cuff.
If Reyes is able to return to form, he presumably could pitch his way to becoming the Dodgers’ new closer, but general manager Brandon Gomes recently suggested the team was comfortable without a dedicated arm for the ninth inning.
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