Elian Herrera Returns to the Dodgers

Dodgers sign Elian Herrera to a minor league contract.

Looks like the Dodgers have brought back an old friend. On Saturday it was announced that Elian Herrera would return to the Dodgers organization and was signed to a minor league deal, which also includes an invitation to spring training.

Herrera was originally signed by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 2003. He then spent the next ten years in the organization. Herrera was called up to play with the Dodgers in 2012. He appeared in 67 games for the big league team and hit .251. However, in 2013 Herrera only appeared in four games with the club before being traded. The 30 year old utility player spent the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in which he played in 69 games for the 2014 season and 83 in 2015.

In Herrera’s major league career he has an OPS of .666. Even though his numbers do not seem to impress on paper, Herrera has experience playing all outfield positions, third base, second base, and shortstop. Herrera can offer the Dodgers some versatility at multiple positions. Since his contract includes a spring training invitation, it is clear that is when the Dodgers plan to assess where they believe he should start. Either way, Herrera has a lot of experience in the minors and majors playing multiple positions.

He broke the news on Twitter Saturday afternoon.

It will be interesting to see who makes the 40-man roster for the Dodgers opening day 2016. They seem to have a lot of utility options with re-signing Chase Utley, Enrique Hernandez and Justin Turner. Either way Elian Herrera is a good addition to the minors, where he already has a storied past with the organization.