The Dodgers have agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent righty Justin Masterson, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). Additional terms were not reported.
Masterson, who recently turned 32, had been looking for a new organization after failing to receive a shot at the majors last year with the Pirates. He threw 54 1/3 innings at Triple-A, over five starts and twenty relief appearances, compiling a 4.97 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9.
As recently as 2013, Masterson seemed on the rise, as he turned in 193 innings of 3.45 ERA ball in a bounceback campaign. But extension talks with the Indians stalled and disaster struck in 2014, when he lost nearly three full ticks of fastball velocity. That trend only continued after Masterson signed a make-good deal with the Red Sox, but his velocity dove further as shoulder problems emerged.
It’s not clear at this point whether Masterson will be assigned to a minor-league roster or instead spend some time at extended spring training working with his new organization’s staff. The Dodgers have employed a fair number of pitchers in recent years who rediscovered their past form after stretches of injury-driven ineffectiveness, so perhaps there are some lessons to be conveyed to Masterson.
Win/win, worth a shot, even if he just redefines himself as sinker groundball reliever, hopefully something left in the tank.
Nice very low risk, potentially good reward signing.
I like Justin for his Christian service to others off the field. I wish him all the best in this attempt.
Jamaica me crazy.
Yeh man.
No risk at all. Could end up a high reward project. I like to see him get another shot as he is a great kid. I wish him well
More damaged goods for the Dodgers. At least its just a minor league deal so he will just clog up the OKC roster.
As long shots go, this one is pretty darned long.
Should’ve taken the deal Cleveland offered him…
Good for him!!
I always liked him as an Indian. Best of luck to him.