Dodgers Reportedly Sign Former Astros Closer Ken Giles

The Dodgers have reportedly struck a deal with former MLB closer Ken Giles. MLB insider Jon Heyman reports the deal is of the minor league variety. No word on the terms of the contract as of yet.

Giles, 32, last pitched at the big league level for the Seattle Mariners last season, making 5 appearances in relief before being designated for assignment. He later signed a deal with the San Francisco Giants but never made it onto the MLB roster. Shoulder issues ruined most of his 2022 season.

The veteran of 8 big league seasons owns a career 2.71 ERA, spending time with the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, M’s, and most notably the Houston Astros. He has 115 saves including a career-high 34 with the Astros in 2017.

He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020 and missed the 2021 season recovering from that.

The right-hander recently held a showcase for teams after spending time working at the Driveline baseball facility in an attempt to get back to his former glory. The velocity was noticeably down from the 98 MPH he threw earlier in his career, but that could tick up in a big league setting.

With relievers like Daniel Hudson and Jimmy Nelson not progressing as well as the Dodgers had hoped, Giles could be a great low risk, high reward signing. He hasn’t pitched for any affiliated teams this season so he’ll need time to get back in to competing shape before joining the Triple-A squad.

More to come on this story.