The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached an agreement with free-agent pitcher Justin Wilson, according to a report from Robert Murray of FanSided. The deal will be a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training for Wilson, who is represented by ACES, as noted by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Wilson, who is 36 years old, has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons, undergoing Tommy John surgery and suffering a lat strain. He has only pitched 3 2/3 innings over the past two years. However, during his limited time with the Cincinnati Reds, Wilson showed promise by reaching his peak velocity levels, averaging 95.1 mph on his fastball. In his short stint with the Reds, he faced 13 batters, striking out seven without issuing a walk. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to surgery, and he subsequently signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, his recovery from Tommy John surgery and the lat strain prevented him from taking the mound in the 2023 season.
Before his recent health setbacks, Wilson had an impressive career as a setup man for various teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets. From 2013 to 2021, he pitched 458 2/3 innings with a 3.43 ERA, recording 132 saves and 18 holds. While his command has not been exceptional (he has a career 10.7% walk rate), Wilson has a solid strikeout rate, fanning nearly 26% of hitters throughout his MLB career. His strikeout rate increased to over 29% from 2017 to 2020 after he made adjustments to his pitching repertoire.
The Dodgers have faced a loss of left-handed depth in their bullpen this offseason, trading away Victor Gonzalez and Caleb Ferguson to the New York Yankees in separate deals. Currently, Alex Vesia and Ryan Yarbrough are the primary left-handed options in manager Dave Roberts’ bullpen, with Matt Gage also available on the 40-man roster. Wilson and veteran T.J. McFarland will join the Dodgers as non-roster invitees to spring training, providing experienced left-handed relief options. They will compete with right-handed non-roster invitees such as Daniel Hudson, Dinelson Lamet, Nabil Crismatt, and Jesse Hahn for spots in the crowded Dodgers bullpen.
According to the Source mlbtraderumors.com