The Los Angeles Dodgers are closing in on deal with veteran free agent left-hander Cole Hamels, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports. Hamels, now 37, made only one start last season with the Braves because of triceps tendinitis followed by shoulder fatigue. After his one-year contract with Atlanta expired, he went unsigned this past winter.
In 2019 with the Cubs, Hamels pitched to a 3.81 ERA and 2.55 K/BB ratio in 141 2/3 innings. For his career, Hamels has 163 wins and an ERA+ of 123 across parts of 15 MLB seasons.
Because of his age and recent injury concerns, Hamels went unsigned this past offseason. He then held a showcase for interested teams in the middle of July, and the Dodgers have reportedly emerged from that fray as the landing spot.
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The Dodgers recently added frontline right-hander Max Scherzer and lefty Danny Duffy to the rotation mix, but additional depth may be in order as they attempt to catch the rival Giants down the stretch and win the NL West for a ninth straight year. Right now, Clayton Kershaw is on the injured list with forearm inflammation, and Tony Gonsolin is alongside him with an inflamed shoulder. As well, Dustin May was lost for the year to Tommy John surgery. Also, right-hander Trevor Bauer seems unlikely to pitch for the Dodgers this season -- and perhaps ever again -- as MLB and law enforcement investigate sexual assault allegations against him.
It remains to be seen how much time Hamels needs to ramp up to game readiness, but he gives the Dodgers an intriguing option for the back end.
