In former Dodger that was also sort of a current Dodger news, the club released long-time bullpen stalwart Pedro Baez this week, ending an attempt to revive his career with Los Angeles. J.P. Hoornstra and Eric Stephen were among those to note the transaction.
Baez was signed as an international free agent by the Dodgers back in 2007. After a few seasons as a struggling third baseman at the lower levels of the minor leagues, the organization moved Petey to the mound where he found success as a key member of the LA bullpen for over half a decade.
After making his debut as a Dodger in 2014, he’d spend the next seven seasons setting up Kenley Jansen for LA. Following the 2020 World Series, Baez entered free agency for the first time in his career and inked a 2-year deal with the Houston Astros.
However, things didn’t go well for Baez in Houston at all.
The right-hander battled injuries and a bout with covid before eventually being released by the Astros having appeared in just 7 games.
Following his release in April, he latched back on with the Dodgers on a minor league deal. Baez spent some time rehabbing his shoulder at the club’s spring training complex in Arizona before joining the Triple-A squad late in July hoping to recapture the magic of his first run in blue.
Sadly, it was all ugly for the 34-year-old at AAA. Over 7 appearances, he was racked for 9 earned runs and a 14.29 ERA as he struggled with his fastball velocity. Chances are high that this could be the end of the line for the human rain delay.
