The Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday announced the 15 players that to date they have signed to minor league contracts with an invitation to spring training. The biggest name on the list is likely catcher Josh Bard, a 10-year veteran who will be 34 next season.
In each of the last two seasons, the Dodgers have had four non-roster invitees make the team out of spring training. However, barring injury the Dodgers will likely only have one bench spot and between one and three bullpen spots, at most, up for grabs entering spring training.
Bard, a switch hitter, hit .210/.256/.333 in 2011 in 86 plate appearances with the Seattle Mariners, but spent the bulk of the year in Triple A Tacoma, hitting .301/.359/.507 with 18 doubles. Other position players to sign minor league deals with the Dodgers were corner infielder Jeff Baisley, middle infielders Luis Cruz and Lance Zawadzki, and outfielder Cory Sullivan.
Left-handed pitcher Wil Ledezma is one of 10 pitchers to sign with the Dodgers. Ledezma struck out 64 strikeouts in 48 innings with Triple A Las Vegas in 2011. Joining Ledezma at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona are fellow southpaws Alberto Castillo, Matt Chico, and Scott Rice. In addition, right-handed pitchers Jose Ascanio, Angel Guzman, Shane Lindsay, Fernando Nieve, Will Savage, and Ryan Tucker.
For more on the Dodgers and their minor league deals, and more, be sure to read True Blue LA.