The Los Angeles Dodgers are widely expected to focus on starting pitching leading up to the MLB trade deadline on July 30, but their bench and bullpen could be areas that get addressed as well.
Despite being without a stable of relief pitchers throughout various stretches of the season, the group has performed reasonably well. There were some struggles heading into the All-Star break due in some part to inconsistent results from an injury-ravaged starting rotation.
While the Dodgers reportedly maintain interest in Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet, their first move has been to potentially address their bullpen.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Nick Anderson signed with the Dodgers on what is a Minor League contract, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
It’ll be a minor league deal for Nick Anderson with the Dodgers, per source. https://t.co/C2KknexjvJ
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 21, 2024
Anderson became a free agent during the middle of the week when he was placed on waivers by the Kansas City Royals and subsequently got released after going unclaimed.
He had been designated for assignment by the Royals as a corresponding move to the team trading for fellow right-handed relief pitcher Hunter Harvey.
Anderson has more than five years of Major League service time, which gave him the option to decline a Minor League assignment after clearing waivers. Anderson joined the Royals in a trade from the Atlanta Braves during the offseason.
The 34-year-old went 3-1 with one save, a 4.04 ERA, 5.07 FIP and 1.40 WHIP across 19 appearances for Kansas City this season. One of those appearances came against the Dodgers on June 15, when Anderson pitched a scoreless ninth inning to wrap up a 7-2 win for the Royals at Dodger Stadium.
Anderson also was on the Tampa Bay Rays team that lost to the Dodgers in the 2020 World Series.
Will Nick Anderson join Dodgers bullpen?
In signing Anderson to a Minor League contract, the Dodgers maintain some flexibility with what role he’ll potentially have.
Anderson presumably will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City and be an option for the Dodgers if their bullpen needs a fresh arm. However, he would need to be put on their 40-man roster in order to become active.
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