Dodgers Sign Former Padres, Angels, Red Sox Veteran Reliever in Free Agency: Report
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly made another free agent signing.
On Thursday, the team agreed to a minor league deal with right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia, per Just Baseball Media’s Aram Leighton.
Garcia will join the Dodgers at spring training.
Garcia, 38, is a 12-year MLB veteran who split the 2024 season between the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.
Garcia signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Angels last offseason, and made 45 appearances with the Halos, sporting a 3.71 ERA. Garcia was then traded to the Boston Red Sox before the deadline and struggled mightily, sporting an 8.22 ERA across 15.1 innings pitched.
Garcia was initially signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent all the way back in 2004. He was then traded to the Washington Nationals in 2009 for infielder Ronnie Belliard.
Garcia made his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013, and played for the Angels, Texas Rangers, and St. Louis Cardinals from 2019-21.
Then, in 2022, Garcia signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Padres, and had a 3.73 ERA across two seasons in the National League West.
Now, Garcia is joining the Dodgers as he looks to continue his MLB career. While Garcia has his work cut out for him to make the Opening Day roster, it does appear there will be two bullpen spots open with right-handed pitchers Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech potentially starting the season on the injured list.
Clayton Kershaw set to open Dodgers season on 60-day IL, but there’s a catch
Future first-ballot Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw is officially back with the Los Angeles Dodgers for his 18th season, but fans will have to wait a bit longer to see the Dodgers legend take the mound in 2025.
On Thursday, the Dodgers announced Kershaw’s one-year, $7.5 million contract, making his return to the only MLB franchise he has ever played for official. The deal also includes roster and performance bonuses, allowing Kershaw to earn up to $16 million if he reaches certain thresholds. However, the 36-year-old left-hander revealed that he expects to start the season on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from offseason toe and knee surgeries.
“Clayton Kershaw said he expects to be on the 60-day IL to start the season, but his timeline likely lines up for him to be ready once those 60 days are done,” reported The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya on X, formerly Twitter.
Clayton Kershaw returns to the Dodgers for what will likely be his final season
If Kershaw’s recovery proceeds without setbacks, he could return to the Dodgers’ rotation by late May, giving the team an experienced arm just as the season begins to take shape. While the Dodgers are well-equipped with a deep rotation—including offseason additions Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow—getting Kershaw back healthy will provide a major boost for a team with championship aspirations.
