Dodgers: Justin Grimm In Play For the Dodgers’ Last Bullpen Spot

The Dodgers have added a new face to the competition for the last spot in their bullpen.  Justin Grimm was signed on Sunday.

On Saturday Dave Roberts mentioned that the possibility existed for the Dodgers to add someone from outside the organization to their bullpen competition.  On Sunday the Dodgers made true on his words as they signed Justin Grimm to a minor league deal after he opted out of his contract with the Cleveland Indians.

Grimm will battle against Brock Stewart and Dennis Santana for the final spot in the bullpen that figures to be more of a long relief role.  Justin was a world series champion with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and he was the number five prospect for the Texas Rangers back in 2013 according to Minor League Ball.

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Although he has been more of a one-inning pitcher in his big league career, Grimm was a starting pitcher back in his minor league days so he is capable of fulfilling the long reliever role if the Dodgers choose to use him in that role.  Grimm throws around the 92-94 mile per hour range and also features a slider and a curveball.

Last season, Justin Grimm pitched for the Royals and Mariners and had an awful season posting a 10.38 ERA.  Over the course of his career, he has been nearly equally effective against left and right-handed batters.  Lefties have hit .261 against Grimm in his career, while right-handed batters have hit .249 against him.  He has allowed 44 home runs in his career with 22 coming against each side of the plate.

This spring, Grimm pitched with the Indians and was having a solid spring allowing just one earned run in 8 2/3 innings of work.  In those eight-plus innings, he struck out nine batters and allowed four walks.  He exercised an opt-out in his contract that granted him the right to become a free agent again.

There is a chance he could start the season at Oklahoma City but the Dodgers may have told him he could start the season on the big league roster to persuade him to come to Los Angeles.  Grimm was available to pitch Sunday night but did not make it into the game.  He should make an appearance or two in the last two games of the spring training freeway series.