Dodgers News: Farhan Zaidi Clarifies Chad Gaudin’s Role
This offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers front office restocked the backend of the starting rotation and bullpen with pitchers who have injury ridden pasts. That theme continued Wednesday when the club announced the signing of Chad Gaudin to a Minor League deal.
The 31-year-old right-hander last pitched for the San Francisco Giants in 2013 after he missed all of last season following neck surgery. With experience both as a starter and reliever, Gaudin conceivably could fill multiple roles during Spring Training, though manager Don Mattingly indicated he’ll be used out of the bullpen, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Mattingly said Chad Gaudin will be used in multiple innings relief role.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 25, 2015
The journeyman has played for nine teams in his 11-year career and made a career-high 34 starts in 2007, but has made just 12 starts in his last 128 appearances. In 2013, Gaudin made 30 appearances with the Giants in 2013, 12 of which were starts. He finished with a 5-2 record, 3.06 ERA and 3.34 FIP in 97.0 innings.
While Mattingly may intend to use Gaudin as a relief pitcher during Spring Training, Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi sees the right-hander in a different light, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:
GM Farhan Zaidi said #Dodgers view Chad Gaudin as "good starting pitching depth in Triple-A."
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 25, 2015
Zaidi also added Gaudin will not be able to opt out of his deal should he be sent to the Minors:
RHP Chad Gaudin signed a minor-league deal with non-roster invite to big-league camp. Does not have opt out date if sent to minors #Dodgers
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 25, 2015
Gaudin will be competing for a spot on the roster with many other veteran relievers whom the Dodgers acquired in the offseason, including David Aardsma, Erik Bedard and Dustin McGowan. Perhaps somewhat working in the group of relievers’ favor is Kenley Jansen’s foot surgery that is expected to keep him out weeks into the season.
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