Report: Dodgers Showing Interest In Reliever Joba Chamberlain
Just a few days from pitchers and catchers reporting, the Los Angeles Dodgers learned they would be without their hard-throwing closer, Kenley Jansen.
Jansen felt discomfort in his foot after working out at Dodger Stadium and ended up undergoing surgery on his left foot to remove a growth. Once news of the injury hit, many expected the Dodgers to possibly make a move to replace the right-hander. Andrew Friedman said that the team would be looking to find a replacement internally; however, it appears they might make a move after all.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Dodgers are showing interest in a right-hander, among others:
Sources: #Dodgers showing interest in free-agent reliever Joba Chamberlain. Considering other possibilities as well.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 19, 2015
Chamberlain spent last season with the Detroit Tigers in a relief role, finishing the year with a 3.57 ERA in 69 appearances (63 innings). It was his first full season since 2010. The 29-year-old has never closed games before, which makes more sense for the Dodgers since Jansen will return in May.
The bullpen was the blame for the Dodgers’ early exit in the postseason, and Jansen was their best arm. Over the offseason, they acquired right-handers Joel Peralta, Juan Nicasio and Chris Hatcher, and left-hander Adam Liberatore in separate deals. They released Brian Wilson, and lost Jamey Wright and Chris Perez. It’ll be a very different look in the later innings for the Dodgers, especially since Jansen will not be there to finish games at the beginning.
If a deal is to be done, expect it to happen relatively soon because Thursday is the first day that pitchers and catchers report.
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Joba the Hutt???? oh no Mr Bill!