Dodgers Team News

NL West Round-Up: Jerry Coleman Passes Away, Giants Sign Dontrelle Willis

Jerry ColemanTeams have begun finalizing their rosters as they prepare for spring training next month. The National League West teams have had busy off-seasons to try and dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here are the moves and rumors around the league from the past week:



Arizona Diamondbacks

After a few quiet weeks, the Diamondbacks were busy inviting players to spring training for a chance to make the team. They invited 17 players to spring training, which begins February 6 as they prepare to take on the Dodgers in Australia. Of the group, the biggest names are pitching prospect Archie Bradley and former Diamondback first baseman Mike Jacobs.

The team also claimed left-hander Santos Rodriguez from the Chicago White Sox off waivers. He’s a career minor leaguer but will compete for a spot on the team. Rodriguez will be competing for a spot in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen.

Colorado Rockies

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy on Friday. He was released on Saturday and should be ready for spring training. The outfielder will be moving to center field this season after Dexter Fowler was traded.

To fill in their farm system, the Rockies signed right-hander Richard Castillo to a minor-league deal. Castillo spent time in Double-A and Triple-A for the St. Louis Cardinals farm system.

San Diego Padres

Iconic Padre broadcaster Jerry Coleman passed away Sunday night at the age of 89. He called games for the Padres since 1972 and was the manager in 1980. Coleman was elected to the Padres’ Hall of Fame in 2001 and was given a statue in a ceremony last season.

On the field, the Padres signed a pair of pitchers to minor-league deals and sent Adys Portillo to the San Antonio Missions.  Right-hander Blaine Boyer and left-hander Zach Braddock to minor-leauge deals to add depth to the farm system. Portillo was designated for assignment to make room for Joaquin Benoit and cleared waivers.

San Francisco Giants

It was a quiet week for the Giants, but they did make one move that made headlines. The Giants signed left-hander Dontrelle Willis to a minor-leauge deal. Willis hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2011 and spent some time in Triple-A for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last season. It isn’t sure if he was invited to major league camp.

The Giants had a busy off-season and appear to be ready to head into spring training with their roster. They will be looking to improve on their fourth-place finish from 2013.

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Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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