Veteran right-handed relief pitcher David Aardsma has reportedly signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The one-year deal is expected to include an invite to Major League Spring Training, as Aardsma will fight to make his return to the big leagues. The deal was first reported by Aardsma himself on Twitter.
The 33-year-old Aardsma spent last season in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. Pitching for Triple-A Memphis he posted a 1.29 ERA in 35 innings out of the bullpen. Aardsma last pitched in the big leagues in 2013 with the New York Mets where he posted a 4.31 ERA and 36-19 strikeout to walk ratio in 43 appearances.
Aardsma has a history of being a strong middle relief option. In eight career big league seasons with the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees (one appearance) and Mets, Aardsma has a career ERA of 4.23 ERA.
He used to throw in the mid-90s, but his velocity dropped dramatically after Tommy John surgery in 2011. That being said, Aardsma has reportedly been working very hard on regaining his velocity and has shown some results, hitting as high as 92 MPH last season in the Cardinals’ organization. He will be in a Spring Training battle for one of the last bullpen spots on the Dodgers’ roster.