Dodgers Sign Justin Grimm To Minor League Deal

The Dodgers have signed right-hander Justin Grimm to a minor league contract, tweets J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group. The signing comes after Grimm decided to opt out of his previous deal with the Indians.

Grimm, 30, will join the Dodgers hoping to return to his Cubs form after a dreadful 2018 season. Between the Royals and Mariners, Grimm pitched to the tune of a 10.38 ERA last season, after which he was only able to land a minor league contract with the Indians this winter. After having failed to break camp with Cleveland, though, Grimm opted out of that deal.

For the Dodgers, Grimm represents a buy-low option that could provide valuable payoff if the veteran is able to return to the 2015 version of himself. His best season, Grimm contributed a 1.99 ERA to a contending team, posting a robust 12.1 K/9 in 49 2/3 innings of work with the Cubs. The Dodgers will look for the right-hander to bounce back with a change of scenery.

It remains unclear whether Grimm will crack the Dodgers Opening Day roster. The team boasts a deep bullpen that is lush with arguably more reliable options, though the presence of Grimm can’t hurt the team, should it find a need for him during the season. Curiously, Hoornstra adds in a tweet that Grimm will be in the mix to open the season as the club’s long reliever. Since joining the Cubs, though, Grimm has not been known as a multi-inning reliever, and he has not started a game since 2013.