Since his introductory press conference in October 2014, Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has consistently stressed having pitching depth, particularly in the bullpen — an area he believes to be volatile.
With that, Friedman, Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi and the front office have consistently searched to find the right pieces to the puzzle. They took a flier on veteran relief pitcher Jamey Wright in the offseason, signing him to a Minor-League contract in February.
Wright spent last spring with the Texas Rangers, but was released at the end of camp. In 2014, he appeared in 61 games with the Dodgers, including one start. He finished the year 5-4 with a 4.35 ERA, 3.47 FIP and 1.41 WHIP.
Wright was considered a long shot to make the Dodgers’ roster this season and according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, elected to retire once he received official word he wouldn’t be with the club on Opening Day:
When told on Sunday he wouldn’t make the Dodgers roster, which Jamey Wright said he figured out two weeks ago, the 41-year-old pitcher announced his retirement on Monday. “It’s time,” Wright said, “and I knew it.”
In addition to previously pitching for the Dodgers, Wright also spent time with Colorado Rockies (1996-99, 2004-05), Milwaukee Brewers (2000-02), St. Louis Cardinals (2002), Kansas City Royals (2003, 2009), San Francisco Giants (2006), Texas Rangers (2007-08), Cleveland Indians (2010), Seattle Mariners (2010-11) and Tampa Bay Ryas (2013).
Wright made a club for eight consecutive seasons from 2005-13 as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. He appeared in eight games this spring, posting a 12.15 ERA and 2.40 ERA over 6.2 innings pitched.
