WEDNESDAY: Kansas City has given Ohlendorf his release rather than adding him to the 40-man, MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan tweets.
MONDAY: Veteran righty Ross Ohlendorf has opted out of his minor-league deal with the Royals, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweets. The Royals now have 48 hours to place Ohlendorf on their roster or release him.
Ohlendorf is one of several players fighting for what would could be one bullpen spot, with Wade Davis, Joakim Soria, Kelvin Herrera, Luke Hochevar, and perhaps Danny Duffy and the recently-rostered Dillon Gee all likely to win jobs. Chien-Ming Wang has thrown hard and gotten good results so far this spring, and could have the inside track on a spot as well. Ohlendorf has pitched eight innings in Spring Training and allowed six runs, although he’s struck out nine and walked only three.
The 33-year-old Ohlendorf fared well in 19 1/3 innings of relief with the Rangers in 2015, posting a 3.72 ERA, 8.8 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 while throwing considerably harder than he had in much of his earlier big-league career, most of which he had spent as a starter. He’s the veteran of eight big-league seasons, also playing for the Yankees, Pirates, Padres and Nationals.
Unless we hear he might be heading to the Red Sox, the Dodgers might make sense. They have had an over-the-top number of injuries.
I think we’re forgetting that these guys aren’t good enough to make the sox 40 man roster… They’re stacked top to bottom with superstar talent. Mookie, Xander, big Papi, the panda, Han-Ram, JBjr, Brock Holt, Steven Wright, they’re all Future HOFers.
left out “first ballot”.
Pablo Sandoval a future HOF? Come on now.
Uhhhh what about Kelly and Porcello? They’ve got to be first ballots too! I wouldn’t trade them for anyone less than Kershaw or Sale. It’s gotta be equal on both sides, right?
sarcasm font
Looks like somebody has been drinking the lemonade!
HAHA! “all future HOF’er” wow. I mean…but…wow. Papi probably gets in, eventually. He did much of his damage at DH, but he has longevity. As for the rest…lol.
Man bigpapiforever has really gotten into everyone’s head lol
With the world’s best talent and coaches, the Red Sox will quickly turn him into an “Ace quality” starting pitcher and he will pry go 32-0 in his first season in Boston. Haters!! Hahahahahaha
This was a bad fit for both sides when they struck a deal. He should’ve went to camp with either the Pads, Reds, Rockies… A team like that, that could actually carry him on the 25 man roster and utilize his abilities as a long man. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers swooped in and try to pry him away again for a minimal cost. It’s worth a shot.
Actually just because a team is bad overall doesn’t mean it doesn’t have 12 pitchers better than Ross Ohlendorf. I don’t know the Reds well, but I’m pretty sure he’d struggle to make the Rockies or Padres. Maybe the Rockies now that Gray is down for a couple weeks.
Definitely Reds and Rockies. Padres need all the help they could get..