Dodgers Sign Another Pitcher as LA Continues to Bolster Staff

Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman speaks in a press conference before game one against the New York Yankees in the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman speaks in a press conference before game one against the New York Yankees in the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
In this story:

Right-handed pitcher Justin Jarvis became the third free agent to sign a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason.

Aram Leighton of Just Baseball and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic were the first to report the signing.

Jarvis has joined the Dodgers after spending time in the Mets' organization. His journey started when the Brewers picked him in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He spent five years with Milwaukee before being traded to the Mets in July 2023 for outfielder Mark Canha.

More news: Juan Soto Rumors — MLB Insiders Provide Massive Update on Dodgers' Chase for Superstar

Although he hasn’t made his MLB debut yet, Jarvis has had an up-and-down minor league career. He ended the 2023 season in Triple-A with the Mets, where he struggled, going 0-5 with an 8.04 ERA and 36 strikeouts over nine starts. Things turned around at the start of 2024 when he moved to Double-A, putting up a 5-2 record, a 2.90 ERA, and 45 strikeouts in 10 appearances, five of them starts. But once he was promoted back to Triple-A, the struggles returned — he went 1-3 with a 5.98 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 46.2 innings.

The Dodgers have added more depth by signing infielder Aaron Bracho to a minor league deal. This follows their recent signing of left-handed reliever Joe Jacques to a minor league contract over the weekend.

Bracho joins the Dodgers after spending his entire career with the Cleveland Guardians. The 23-year-old infielder has yet to make his MLB debut but brings potential to bolster the Dodgers’ infield depth. Bracho originally signed with Cleveland out of Venezuela in 2017 and has spent the last two seasons at the Double-A level.

In 2023, Bracho put up solid numbers, slashing .245/.340/.441 with 90 hits, 50 runs, 18 home runs, and 59 RBIs across 104 games. However, his production dipped in 2024, as he posted a .221/.296/.338 slash line with 79 hits, 41 runs, eight home runs, and 49 RBIs. Bracho has been assigned to Double-A Tulsa, where he’ll look to get back on track.

Jacques began his professional career in 2018 after walking on to the baseball team at Manhattan College. He was drafted in the 33rd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates and spent four years in their minor league system before the Boston Red Sox selected him in the Rule 5 Draft in Dec. 2022.

Jacques appeared in 23 big-league games during his rookie season, including one start. He posted a 2-1 record with a 5.06 ERA and 20 strikeouts.

More news: 2 Former Dodgers Prospect Find New Homes, Including One With NL West Rival


Published
Maren Angus-Coombs
MAREN ANGUS-COOMBS

Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State and has been a sports writer since 2008. Despite growing up in the South, her sports obsession has always been in Los Angeles. She is currently a staff writer at the LA Sports Report Network.