The race for the final spot in the bullpen for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been all but officially decided. Jamey Wright beat out fellow non-roster invitee John Grabow for the role. Wright was told on Monday by Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti that the paperwork was being drawn up to add Wright to the 40-man roster, which will require another roster move.
Grabow, who struck out seven and walked just one in his six scoreless innings in the spring, exercised the opt-out clause in his contract to become a free agent, in hopes of making another team with a little over a week left before opening day.
The departure of Grabow leaves 40 players in major league camp for the Dodgers, including 18 pitchers and 22 position players.
Wright, 37, has had quite a journey in his parts of 16 years in the big leagues. He began his career as a starter but has switched to relief over the last four years. But his last seven years have had one common theme: Wright has made a major league team, six in all, after signing a minor league contract with an non-roster invitation to spring training:
"I think there was only one game I gave up a run the last two months of the season, so I felt great," said Wright. "I finished the year strong and pitched as well as I ever have. In my mind I don't feel like a non-roster guy. I feel like a guy who is going to be a big part of this team."
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