Dodgers' Former All-Star, Recently Signed as Free Agent, Struggles In Debut

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 4, 2024

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Pomeranz was once an All-Star starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres in 2016 and won a World Series championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He got bit by the injury bug in 2021 and hasn't pitched in the majors since.

After signing a minor league contract on Friday with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He made his first appearance on Wednesday and it did not go well.

The left-handed pitcher came out of the bullpen for one inning and gave up four earned runs on five hits, including a double and a triple. He threw a total of 23 pitches and struggled with his command. His fastball was clocked consistently around 90-91 — a huge difference from his 94 mph fastball with the Padres in 2021.

The 35-year-old signed a four-year, $34 million deal with the Padres back in 2019 and was only able to fulfill two of those years. Pomeranz had flexor tendon surgery that forced him to miss all of 2022.

Pomeranz has desperately been trying to make a comeback, but hasn't been successful. During his rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso in 2023, he dealt with elbow discomfort and became a free agent at the end of the sesason.

A Tennessee native, Pomeranz was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians as the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft out of Ole Miss. He made his major league with the Colorado Rockies in September 2011.

In parts of 11 big league seasons, Pomeranz has a career record of 48-58 and has appeared in 289 games, starting 140 of them while posting a 3.91 ERA.