Dodgers sign Joe Blanton to fill long-relief role.

Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton made 10 starts for the Dodgers in 2012, but will pitch as a reliever in his return to Los Angeles. (Getty Images)

The Dodgers have signed pitcher Joe Blanton, bringing back the 35-year-old as a long reliever — a role he thrived in last year — on a one-year, $4 million contract.

Blanton briefly retired in 2014 when he flamed out as a starting pitcher for the Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate. In 2013, his last full season as a starting pitcher, Blanton went 2-14 with a 6.04 earned-run average for the Angels.

In 2015, the right-hander re-surfaced as a relief pitcher with the Kansas City Royals, who sold his contract to the Pittsburgh Pirates in July. His combined stats for the two teams: A 2.84 earned-run average in 36 games — 32 out of the bullpen — over 76 innings. Blanton struck out 79 batters against only 16 walks.

The Philadelphia Phillies traded Blanton to the Dodgers in August 2012. He went 2-4 with a 4.99 ERA in 10 starts. After the season, he signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Angels.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.