The Los Angeles Dodgers signed reliever Dellin Betances to a minor league contract back in April.
The 34-year-old reliever broke down in the last few seasons, but over a five-year period from 2014 to 2018, he was perhaps the league’s best and most consistent right-handed bullpen arm.
He had been getting ready for the rigors of a long season, but finally seems on the right track, according to reporter Blake Harris.
“Dellin Betances made his 2022 debut in the Arizona Complex League last night. He allowed two hits with one strikeout in one inning of work. He signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers in April. The 4-time All-Star has appeared in only 13.1 big league innings since 2018,” he tweeted.
Dellin Betances made his 2022 debut in the Arizona Complex League last night. He allowed two hits with one strikeout in one inning of work.
He signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers in April. The 4-time All-Star has appeared in only 13.1 big league innings since 2018.
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) June 8, 2022
From 2014 to 2018, Betances was third among relievers in K/9 (14.63), eight in ERA (2.22), fourth in FIP (2.26), third in xFIP (2.28), second in WAR (11.2), second in holds (117), first in innings pitched (373.1 IP) and strikeouts (607), and fourth in K% (40.3).
He was truly a monster.
Injuries Really Derailed His Career
However, injury hell started for him in 2019, with a right shoulder impingement.
He also tore his left Achilles tendon, reported right lat tightness and suffered another right shoulder impingement.
If the Dodgers can somehow get the best version of Betances back, they would have an elite bullpen arm for the late innings.
That scenario doesn’t seem all that likely, though, given his recent injury issues, age, and mileage.
They could, however, get something close to that version: if there is one team in MLB with the necessary resources to revive Betances’ career, it’s the Dodgers.
Let’s see how he looks once he is ready to pitch in MLB.
The whole baseball universe will probably be rooting for him, even Yankees fans.
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