The Dodgers have claimed a right-hander Jake Reed off waivers from the Red Sox, per announcements from both teams. Boston designated Reed for assignment earlier in the week, and he’ll now head back to LA for a third stint as a Dodger. With the addition of Reed, the Dodgers’ 40-man roster is now at 38 players (although one of the two vacancies will go to Clayton Kershawonce his reported deal is finalized).
Reed, 30, has been with six different teams since June 2021, when he was released by the Angels. Upon being cut loose, he signed with the Dodgers and has since bounced to the Rays, to the Mets, back to the Dodgers, to the Orioles, to the Red Sox and now back to Los Angeles via a series of waiver claims.
It’s a dizzying sequence of transactions for Reed, who along the way has pitched just 26 2/3 innings at the MLB level. He’s been tagged for a 5.74 ERA in that time and posted a 19.2% strikeout rate, an 8.3% walk rate and a 39.8% ground-ball rate.
Even with those pedestrian numbers, Reed continues to intrigue clubs thanks to an atypical delivery and arm slot that’s helped him to confound right-handed batters. He also had a strong showing in Triple-A this past season and carries a solid 3.84 ERA and 25.6% strikeout rate at that level. Reed still has one more minor league option year remaining, so if he survives the offseason on the Dodgers’ 40-man, he can give them some flexible depth in the bullpen next season.
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