Dodgers Sign Jamey Wright to a Minor League Deal

The Dodgers invited old friend Jamey Wright to Spring Training, inking the 41-year-old to a minor league deal.

Jamey Wright last pitched for the Dodgers in 2014, which was also the last time he appeared in a major league game.

Wright attempted a comeback in 2015 but was cut by the Rangers, prompting him to take a year off. This morning, the Dodgers signed him to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, his comeback was inspired by Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw, who worked out with Wright over the winter in Dallas.

Wright will have his work cut out for him to make the squad out of camp, but he’s proven in that regard. According to Dodgers Digests’ Dustin Nosler, Wright has made the major league club as a non-roster invitee eight times in his 19-year career.

Wright’s career has taken him all over the place, as he’s played for 10 different teams. He’s played six seasons for the Rockies which is where he started his career. After his first four in Colorado, he spent time in Milwaukee, St. Louis and Kansas City before returning to the Rockies. He then played for the Giants, Rangers, Royals, Indians and Mariners before joining the Dodgers for the first time in 2012. After a year in Tampa, Wright returned to the Dodgers in 2014 before taking last season off and returning in 2016.

Wright is an absolute longshot to make the roster, but he’s done it before. His two previous stints in LA have been mediocre, posting a 4.04 ERA/3.43 FIP in 138 innings. He will wear number 96 in Spring Training.

In other news, Brandon McCarthy hit a milestone today as he threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April. McCarthy isn’t expected to return until around the all-star break, and his return will create even more of a logjam in the rotation. After Kershaw, the Dodgers have Kenta Maeda, Scott Kazmir, Alex Wood and Brett Anderson set for the rotation if Hyun-jin Ryu isn’t ready for opening day.