The Dodgers have signed veteran right-hander Jamey Wright to a minor league deal, MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick reports (Twitter link). The contract contains an invitation to the team’s Major League spring camp. The 41-year-old Wright is represented by Excel Sports Management.
The 19-year veteran didn’t pitch last season after being released by the Rangers in March, and he’ll try to win a job with the Dodgers in order to officially record his 20th Major League season. Wright previously pitched for Los Angeles in 2012 and 2014, recording a 4.04 ERA over 138 innings in Dodger blue.
Wright has been a very durable bullpen workhorse since transitioning to full-time relief pitching in 2008, averaging at least 71 innings between 2008-14. Wright has never been one to miss many bats (a career 5.3 K/9) but he specializes in keeping the ball on the ground to the tune of a 55.9% ground ball rate over his long career.
I doubt Wright will ever make it back to the Show, but you never know.
Before 2014, Wright had a streak of 8 seasons where he was signed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training and he pitched his way onto the opening day roster in each of those 8 years. If anyone can do it again, it’s him.
Joe Blanton is this year’s Jamie Wright.