Dodgers: Former MLB All-Star Dontrelle Willis Joins LA as Assistant

The D-Train has come to LA. Late on Sunday night, former MLB All-Star Dontrelle Willis announced that he had joined the Dodgers as a special assistant.

Special assistant sounds dope even tho i don’t know what it means ??

— Dontrelle Willis (@DTrainMLB) March 1, 2021

“Special assistant sounds dope even tho i don’t know what it means,” the former big leaguer tweeted.

More specifically, Willis joins the club as a special assistant in player development. 

The 39-year-old last pitched in the big leagues with the Reds back in 2011. He made his mark on the game as a 21-year-old for the World Champion Florida Marlins in 2003. Over his 9-year career, the left-hander tallied a 72-69 win-loss record with a 4.17 ERA over 205 games. He was selected to two NL All-Star teams, was a Cy Young award runner-up in 2005, and won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2003.

In the years since his playing days, Willis has worked as an MLB analyst for Fox and NBC in California.

Welcome to the Dodgers, D-Train!

Spring Notes

Dave Roberts said right-hander Joe Kelly was back in camp on Sunday and resumed throwing after missing time with soreness and later illness. No word yet on what was in the Dunkin’ that fateful morning…

But first, let me take a selfie. #PhotoDay pic.twitter.com/PGvQNdLiv0

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 24, 2021

Roberts also talked about outfield prospect DJ Peters, who he praised as a hard worker and hopes can find a way to make his big league debut this season.

And finally, there is still no word on when top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz will be in camp. Ruiz is working through Visa issues and is trying to get to Arizona by way of the Dominican Republic from Venezuela. 

NEXT: Dave Roberts Reveals Likely 2021 Lineup