Not long after pitchers and catchers convened in the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday, the Dodgers finally announced the signing of free agent right-handed pitcher Sergio Romo to a one-year contract.
The deal, originally believed to have been agreed upon back on February 3, is worth a reported $3 million.
Romo will wear No. 54 on his uniform, the same number he has donned every season of his nine-year major league career.
The 33-year-old Romo went 1-0 with four saves and a 2.64 ERA in 40 appearances in 2016, when he was limited to a career-low 30-2/3 innings due to a right forearm flexor strain. He limited opposing hitters to a .236 batting average and 1.08 WHIP, while striking out 33 batters against only seven walks.
In nine big-league seasons, all with the Giants, Romo has posted a 32-26 record with 84 saves and a 2.58 ERA in 515 career games. Since his debut in 2008, Romo, a 2013 All-Star, leads the National League relievers with 515 appearances, while ranking among the league leaders with a 2.58 ERA, 498 strikeouts, a 5.60 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .205 opponents’ batting average and a 0.96 WHIP. He’s been especially tough against right-handed hitters over the course of his career, limiting righties to a .192 batting average. A three-time World Series champion, Romo has gone 3-1 with four saves and a 3.09 ERA in 23-1/3 frames thrown over 27 career postseason appearances.
The Brawley, CA native was originally drafted by the Giants in the 28th round of the 2005 amateur draft.
To create room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers placed right-handed pitcher Yimi Garcia on the 60-day disabled list, as he continues to recover from Oct. 25, 2016 Tommy John surgery.
(Jon Chapper furnished some information provided in this report)