The Dodgers have signed right-handed reliever Peter Moylan to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported today via twitter. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Braves didn’t offer Moylan a contract after he became a free agent.
Update: Moylan confirmed that he’s joining the Dodgers via Twitter:
I’m also really looking forward to new opportunities with the @dodgers organization.
— Peter Moylan (@PeterMoylan) January 17, 2013
In a seven-year major league career, Moylan has a 2.59 ERA in 295 games, all in relief for Atlanta. The 34-year-old pitcher missed all but eight games last year while recovering from shoulder surgery in September and back surgery in May.
Injuries have been a recurring theme in Moylan’s career. He’s also undergone Tommy John surgery (in 2008). When healthy he’s been a workhorse, pitching 87, 85 and 80 games in his only three full big-league seasons.
The Australian native is essentially a right-handed specialist. Lefties have a .278/.408/.381 slash line against Moylan, righties .213/.273/.301.
Without a 40-man roster spot, Moylan would be hard-pressed to crack a Dodger bullpen that includes Brandon League, Kenley Jansen, Ronald Belisario, Scott Elbert, J.P. Howell, Javy Guerra, Matt Guerrier and Shawn Tolleson — and possibly Aaron Harang, Chris Capuano and Ted Lilly if they are kept on as long relievers.