The Dodgers have signed right-hander Drew Hutchison to a minor league deal, according to Alex Freedman, a broadcaster for their Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City. Hutchison is likely to debut for OKC on Sunday, Freedman adds.
Hutchison was previously with the Phillies, who inked him to a minors deal in the offseason. The 27-year-old did well enough in camp to earn a spot on the Phillies’ season-opening roster, but they ended up designating him for assignment in late May, and he then elected free agency. Hutchison came out of the bullpen during his Phillies tenure and pitched to a 4.64 ERA with 8.02 K/9, 5.48 BB/9 and a 50 percent groundball rate across 21 1/3 innings and 11 appearances.
While Hutchison served as a reliever in Philadelphia, he’s best known for his tenure as a starter with the Blue Jays from 2012-16. During that 76-appearance, 73-start span, Hutchison tossed 406 1/3 innings of 4.92 ERA ball and notched 8.28 K/9 against 2.84 BB/9. Toronto shipped Hutchison to Pittsburgh in an August 2016 trade, and he hasn’t been much of a factor in the majors since. Now a member of the Dodgers, he’ll once again try to work his way back via the minors.
Good low cost – low risk signing; hope that it pans out, but if not, no big deal
I agree…he’s had success as a SP at the big league level in the AL East
I’d hardly call it a success
Not even the Pirates could salvage this pitcher’s career. Sad!
In fairness to him he did not really get much of a chance with the Pirates.Everyone knows the reason for that deal and their home grown young pitchers were clearly and justifiably ahead of him in the pitching order.
A great example of the perils of pitchers W-L record. Hutchison and his 13-5 record a few years ago certainly papered over the fact he was one of the worst starters in the league.
Hope the Dodgers catch something with him though.
I don’t think anybody in baseball still looks at win-loss records. Hutchison’s 13-5 was accompanied by a 5.57 era, a 4.42 FIP and a 1.5 WHIP. (And teams honestly aren’t even looking at those numbers either when evaluating pitchers or any other player. Teams have their own internal, proprietary statistics)
Yeah even his 31-22 record with a career 4.92 ERA is a joke. Must be the luckiest pitcher in baseball. W-L is meaningless
Million dollar arm……ten cent brain. When he was with the Jays his first couple seasons…….outstanding. Then he would wave off his catcher and throw what he wanted. Head got big.