Dodgers Sign Veteran Reliever To Minor League Deal, Add To Bullpen Depth

It didn’t take long for the Los Angeles Dodgers to ink former Kansas City Royals reliever Nick Anderson to a minor league deal after he was designated for assignment on July 14.

The right-hander refused his minor league assignment and was released four days later. With more than five years of major league service, Anderson could decline any minor league assignments while retaining his $1.575 million salary.

Anderson had an ERA of 4.04 through 37 appearances with the Royals. It was his heaviest workload since his dominant rookie season in 2019. He was pushed out of the bullpen when Kansas City acquired Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals.

The reliever broke through with the Tampa Bay Rays and was once an elite late-game weapon. He made three appearances against the Dodgers in the 2020 World Series for the Rays, allowing at least one run in each game and blowing two saves.

Anderson missed most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons with elbow injuries. The Rays released him after the 2022 campaign and he signed with the Atlanta Braves ahead of the 2023 campaign.

Last season was decent for Anderson, who turned in a 3.04 ERA while striking out more than a quarter of opponents across 35 appearances but a shoulder strain ended his season around the All-Star break.

The 33-year-old should see some major league action with the Dodgers at some point due to the injuries within the pitching staff.

Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

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