Dodgers Add Another Three Minor Leaguers

The Dodgers have signed yet another three minor league players who will also be invited to Spring Training as non-roster players. The newest trio of signees include third baseman C.J. Retherford, left-handed pitcher Thomas Melgarejo, and shortstop Miguel Rojas.

C.J. Retherford is a right-handed hitting third baseman who played part of last season with the Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the AA-Chattanooga Lookouts. He hit .250 in 44 games with the Lookouts, but in the 74 games with the Quakes he had a .343 batting average with 20 homeruns. The 27-year old has spent 6 seasons in the minors and was originally from the Chicago White Sox organization.

11 non-roster players are invited to Spring Training in Glendale, Arizona so far for the Dodgers. Photo: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Southpaw Thomas Melgarejo is a 25-year old who has spent some time playing for the Mexican leagues. He was part of the Dodgers organization previously, but the Kansas City Royals chose him in last year’s Rule 5 Draft.

Miguel Rojas is a 23-year old middle infielder who has been in the Cincinnati Reds minor league system for 7 seasons. Last season he spent time on their AA and AAA teams where he hit a combined .199.

With the addition of Retherford, Melgarejo, and Rojas, it brings the total of non-roster Spring Training invitees to 11. Last week the Dodgers signed Gregory Infante, Hector Correa, Juan Abreu, Kelvin De La Cruz, Wilkin Castillo, Nick Evans, Ozzie Martinez and Alfredo Silverio.

Most of these signings are mainly for the purpose of restocking the minor league system. Even though these non-rosters players will be invited to Major League Spring Training camp, it will be unlikely that any of them will make the big league squad. Yet, there are always rare instances where a player performs extraordinarily in camp.