Dodgers Reunite With 7-Year Veteran Bullpen Arm

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed right-handed pitcher Yency Almonte to a minor-league contract, reuniting with the 31-year-old veteran who previously pitched for the team in 2022 and 2023. Almonte was traded to the Chicago Cubs before the 2024 season but struggled to earn a spot on the major league roster last year. The Dodgers are giving him an opportunity to earn a spot in their bullpen for the upcoming season.

Why it matters

The Dodgers are always looking to bolster their pitching depth, and Almonte's previous experience with the team and solid minor-league numbers last season make him an intriguing low-risk, high-upside signing. If Almonte can regain his form, he could provide valuable bullpen innings for the defending World Series champions.

The details

Almonte pitched for the Dodgers in 2022 and 2023, making a total of 81 appearances and posting a 3.35 ERA in 83 1/3 innings. He was then traded to the Chicago Cubs before the 2024 season, alongside now-starting first baseman Michael Busch, for prospects Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris. While Busch has blossomed into a star in Chicago, Almonte struggled to make the major league roster with the Cubs last season. He signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs while still recovering from a shoulder strain and never earned his way back to the majors, though he did put up an impressive 1.86 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings at the High-A and Double-A levels.

• Almonte pitched for the Dodgers in 2022 and 2023.
• He was traded to the Chicago Cubs before the 2024 season.
• Last season, Almonte signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs while still recovering from a shoulder strain.

What’s next

The competition to earn an opening day roster spot for the defending World Series champions is brutal, but at some point this season, we could easily see the veteran Almonte earn his shot at a return to the major leagues.