ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Knowing they will be thin in their rotation and bullpen come opening day, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to add depth, even if it appears to be no more valuable than exactly that.
The team has agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Scott Baker, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. The deal is pending a physical, but if all goes smoothly, Baker is an option to fill in in the bullpen or rotation.
The Dodgers will start the season with starter Hyun-Jin Ryu and relievers Kenley Jansen and Brandon League on the disabled list. Hurting their depth further was the surprise news Thursday that reliever Mike Adams was leaving the team rather than accepting an assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers have already signed Freddy Garcia to fill out the Oklahoma City rotation, and Baker should provide a similar service.
The New York Yankees released Baker on Sunday after he allowed nine runs on 14 hits over 10.1 spring training innings. The one positive was that Baker struck out 10 hitters without walking any.
Baker, 33, appeared in 25 games last season for the Texas Rangers, making eight starts. He posted a 5.47 ERA in 80.2 innings. He had Tommy John surgery in 2012 and missed nearly two full seasons. Before that he was a modestly effective starter for the Minnesota Twins, putting up a 3.92 ERA from 2008-2011.
Puig, Kendrick Feeling Fine
A day after second baseman Howie Kendrick and right fielder Yasiel Puig collided and had the Dodgers holding their breath in fear, both reported feeling no effects from Thursday night’s scare.
Kendrick was going into shallow right field for a pop up as Puig came charging in. Puig made a late call for the ball, and as the men tried to avoid each other, Kendrick’s forearm caught Puig in the throat area. Puig remained on the ground for several minutes before leaving the field and game under his own power.
“They are good,” manager Don Mattingly said. “They are put together pretty good.”
Ethier Has No Lingering Effects
Outfielder Andre Ethier made his first appearance in a game Thursday since being hit on the right elbow by a pitch Tuesday. He reported feeling good Friday after he entered Thursday’s game in left field in the sixth inning.
Ethier had X-rays on the elbow Tuesday, which came back negative. He was just dealing with soreness for the next couple days.
“Once he hit yesterday in the cage and after the x-rays the other day, you get a pretty good feeling that everything will be OK,” Mattingly said. “It’s just a matter of getting swelling out of there. Guys know that there’s nothing really wrong other than just being tight, so once they can get loose, they are ready.”