Former Dodgers Reliever Inks Deal With Upstart NL Central Team

This reliever was once a fixture in the L.A. bullpen.

Another former Dodger is on the move.

Left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl signed a minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. The 26-year-old also garnered an invitation to the Major League camp. 

A native of Northern California, this will be the third MLB team Bruihl will have played for. He has previously pitched for the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies. 

The #Reds today signed LHP Justin Bruihl to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League camp. pic.twitter.com/nuiaM4hjWz

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) January 3, 2024

His path to the Major Leagues is a very respectable one. After a Tommy John surgery in high school, Bruihl pitched in college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. He then transferred closer to home to pitch for the local school Santa Rosa Junior College. Despite going undrafted, he eventually latched on with the Dodgers. 

Bruihl first broke into the Major Leagues with the Dodgers in 2021. At 24 years of age, he came out of nowhere to earn a spot in the bullpen. 

There was a time when he became very important for the ballclub. From 2021-22, he combined to feature in 45 games. This included multiple postseason appearances versus the Atlanta Braves in 2021. 

A pitcher reliant on movement and deception rather than velocity, Bruihl was roughed up a bit in 2023 before being sent to Colorado. There simply wasn't a spot for him in the pen with fellow lefties Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson present. 

Cincinnati is taking a calculated risk in this situation. Bruihl is a situational lefty with some postseason experience. In his career, batters are hitting .246 against him. If the Reds can land a valuable bullpen at virtually no cost, that would be a major win.