Fastball

Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Former Star Closer

The Dodgers have inked former closer Ken Giles to a minor league deal. Giles worked out for teams earlier this month.

Brady Farkas

Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Former Star Closer
Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Former Star Closer /
In this story:

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a move to upgrade their bullpen, signing former star closer Ken Giles to a minor league contract.

Giles worked out for interested teams earlier this month and appears to have made an impression on Los Angeles.

We had heard before that showcase that Giles had been working out at Driveline, so if he was able to increase velocity and benefit from Driveline, it's understandable why he was coveted. 

Giles has appeared in the majors in eight different seasons with the Phillies (2014-15), Astros (2016-18), Blue Jays (2018-2020) and Mariners (2022). He helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series and has registered 115 career saves. He saved a career-high 34 games in 2017.

He owns lifetime 2.71 ERA and a 12.3 k/9.

The 32-year-old has dealt with injury issues over the last few years. He missed most of 2020 and 2021 with Tommy John Surgery and came back to make five appearances for the Mariners last season before being designated for assignment.

It's unclear at this point which minor league affiliate that Giles will report to and how many appearances he may need in game action before potentially joining the big league roster.

Either way, it's a no-risk depth move for the Dodgers, who are in first place in the National League West.

LA enters play on Saturday at 29-17 and winners of eight of their last 10. They are 3.5 games up on the Arizona Diamondbacks, seven up on the Giants, 8.5 up on the Padres and 9.5 up on the Rockies.

Follow Fastball on FanNation in social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/News