The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Ryan Brasier to a two-year contract worth a $9 million base salary but with the reported potential to reach $13 million in total value through incentives.
Brasier’s deal was made official Thursday, which was the first day Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported for the start of Spring Training. That also represented the earliest with which they could begin utilizing the 60-day injured list.
The Dodgers had a full 40-man roster, so a corresponding move must be made to add Brasier, but it was not yet announced by the club. It’s likely the Dodgers will place Tony Gonsolin, Nick Frasso and Dustin May on the 60-day IL, clearing three spots, one of which will also be taken by Clayton Kershaw.
Brasier returns after a successful finish to the 2023 season with L.A. He struggled to the tune of a 7.29 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 21 innings pitched across 20 appearances for the Boston Red Sox last year, which led to getting designated for assignment.
Brasier went on to sign a Minor League contract with the Dodgers and initially reported to Camelback Ranch to work with the organization’s pitching coaches. The right-hander then quickly joined the team during the Freeway Series in Anaheim and became a fixture out of the Dodgers bullpen.
The addition of a cutter allowed Brasier to unlock a new version of himself and he went 2-0 with one save, 0.70 ERA and 0.72 WHIP while holding opponents to a .136 batting average in 39 games for the Dodgers.
Overall in 2023, Brasier finished the season at 59.2 innings pitched with a 3.02 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, 23.5% strikeout rate and 8% walk rate.
Prior to re-signing with the Dodgers, Brasier reportedly drew interest from the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels.
Ryan Brasier’s reverse splits
The Dodgers trading Caleb Ferguson to the New York Yankees resulted in having just two left-handed relief pitchers on their 40-man roster in Alex Vesia and Ryan Yarbrough.
However, Brasier limited left-handed hitters to a .123/.167/.211 batting line with just one home run allowed in 17 innings pitched. Brasier’s reverse splits were superior to Ferguson’s stats against left-handed batters.
Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips are additional options for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts when looking to quiet opposing left-handed hitters.
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