The Dodgers have signed right-hander Dale Thayer to a minor league deal, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes reports (via Twitter). Thayer became a free agent earlier this week when he opted out of a previous minor league contract with the Orioles. The righty is represented by O’Connell Sports Management.
2015 was a tough season for Thayer, as he posted a 4.06 ERA in 37 2/3 innings while posting the highest walk rate (3.6 BB/9) and lowest strikeout rate (6.0 K/9) of his career over a full season. He was outrighted off the Padres’ 40-man roster in August and he elected free agency after the season.
Thayer posted some strong numbers out of San Diego’s bullpen from 2012-14, including a 3.02 ERA, 8.3 K/9 and 3.46 K/BB rate over 188 innings. He spent his first two MLB seasons in Tampa Bay, so he’s a known quantity to Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. L.A. already has a pretty solid complement of right-handed relievers, though the club can probably use all the bullpen help it can get given the injuries in the rotation.
They trying to compete with the Brewers and Orioles for having the most Padres castoffs in their organization?