Jeff Weaver Signs Minor League Contract With Dodgers

After Randy Wolf returned to the rotation, the Dodgers brought back another familiar face to vie for the bullpen slot.

Jeff Weaver, winning 27 games while making 68 starts for the Dodgers during the 2004-05 season, signed an ML contract, plus a slot in Spring Training this Saturday at the club’s new Camelback Ranch-Glendale facility in Arizona.

Weaver contacted the Dodgers, telling the team of him pitching out of the bullpen after pitching in the Minor League in 2008. In turn, he will be earning $500,000 if he makes the roster.

Originally acquired by the Dodgers from the Yankees in a Kevin Brown trade, wanted a big deal after the 2005 season that wasn’t coming from the Dodgers after pitching 224 innings. Noticing that his market was limited, he signed a one year contract with the Angels in mid February of 2006.

By the end of June, a 3-10 Weaver was traded to St. Louis, where he was a different player. He pitched at the World Series clincher and despite the recovery, he was allowed to leave by the Cardinals and signed with Seattle in 2007, but with shoulder problems, Weaver finished the season at 7-13.

Being a free agent last 2008, he had Minor League stints with Milwaukee and Cleveland, but no Major League appearance. After leaving the Dodgers, his composite ERA for both leagues was at 6.00.

Also expected to be in the Dodgers’ huddle this year are relievers Relievers are Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, Cory Wade, James McDonald, Guillermo Mota and Scott Elbert. The Dodgers are also considering Will Ohman, Dennys Reyes and Jamey Wright to be in the bullpen.

The club also announced that they are in terms with left-hander Shawn Estes and right-handers Ronald Belisario, Charlie Haeger and Tanyon Sturtze, all on Minor League deals with big league camp invites.

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