The Dodgers have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran left-hander Cole Hamels, the team announced Wednesday.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated right-hander Yefry Ramirez for the assignment.
Terms of the deal weren’t announced, but sources told MLB.com it’s for $ 1 million, and Hamels would get an additional $ 200,000 for every start he makes.
Hamels had just one start with the Braves in 2020 before left triceps tendonitis and shoulder fatigue ended his season.
In ’19, Hamels was 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 27 starts.
With questions about his health, Hamels worked out for scouts last month and the Dodgers came out impressed enough to continue conversations with the southpaw.
Even after adding Max Scherzer and Danny Duffy at the trade deadline, Los Angeles felt it needed to add more pitching depth during the final two months of the regular season.
Part of the need for pitching depth is due to the uncertainty surrounding Clayton Kershaw’s recovery from left forearm inflammation and Tony Gonsolin continues to battle right shoulder issues.
Duffy won’t be ready to return until September and even then, he could end up being used as a multi-inning reliever.
Kershaw was scheduled to pitch one more mock game over the weekend, but residual pain in the elbow / forearm area forced the Dodgers to pivot.
The future Hall of Famer has continued to function, but Los Angeles isn’t sure when it will be able to release another simulated game; therefore, there is still no timetable for their return.
“They’re in idle mode right now,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said when asked about Kershaw and Gonsolin. “I don’t think either of us is playing catch and we have to make the pain dissipate. When they pick up a baseball and begin their progression, it will be news, but we’re holding on right now. “
The Gonsolin and Kershaw comebacks are certainly concerning for a Dodgers team that has not been able to fully recover at any point this season. The Dodgers are benefiting from a couple of scheduled days off, which have allowed them to mount a four-man rotation through Aug. 14 against the Mets.
David Price will start Friday against the Angels, with Julio Urías and Walker Buehler completing the weekend. If all pitchers stay in line, the Dodgers will have to find a starter for the Aug. 14 game against the Mets, or go without another bullpen game.
Hamels will not be an option for the Dodgers, as he will instead report to the Dodgers Spring Training facility in Arizona to continue to strengthen his arm. It will be at least a couple of weeks before Los Angeles leans on Hamels to start the major league club.
“Having a player that you know you can trust and go deep into the games is important,” said Roberts. “We have always talked about depth and specifically about pitching, and I think we have taken advantage of that depth that we are in now.”(DODGERS.COM)
Welcome to Los Angeles, @ColeHamels! pic.twitter.com/FNWtl4x5fu
– Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 4, 2021