Less than a week after being released by the Royals, right-hander Jordan Lyles has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers. A starter for most of his career, Jordan Lyles was moved to the bullpen after losing his role as the Royals’ fifth starter to right-hander Alec Marsh. Lyles made five scoreless relief appearances for Kansas City to start the season before being placed on the restricted list. He was reinstated from the restricted over the weekend before ultimately being released; Lyles has not pitched since April 12th.
Dodgers Sign Jordan Lyles To Minor League Deal
Whatever personal matter landed Lyles on the restricted list has apparently been resolved. Signing a two-year, $17 million deal with the Royals going into 2023, the 33-year-old finished the year with a 6.28 ERA. Lyles set an MLB record beginning the season 0–11, with the Royals losing in each of his first fifteen starts. Leading the MLB in losses, Lyles finished the season as the worst-qualified pitcher.
Lyles does make sense for a team with a big lead and several pitchers with injury concerns as he does post and he’s a reliable innings eater. (regarding yesterday’s tweet and his $53M/-2.5 WAR his other WAR is 7 and he does log innings — still, he’s negotiated very well) https://t.co/iOLOBY1Pbk
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 25, 2024
Having lost multiple starting pitchers to injuries this season, Lyles should provide the Dodgers with some much-needed rotation depth. Walker Buehler struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery before returning to the injured list with a hip injury. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who just signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers, is sidelined with a rotator cuff strain. While right-handers Emmet Sheehan and Dustin May both underwent season-ending surgeries. Tyler Glasnow was reinstated off the injured list yesterday, while Clayton Kershaw is expected to make his season debut on Thursday.
Already linked to several starters ahead of the trade deadline, Los Angeles will be going all-in. With a 5.22 career ERA, Lyles will give the Dodgers a bit of non-roster depth. The veteran will likely spend some time at the Dodgers’ facility in Arizona before reporting to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Depending on his performance in Triple-A, Lyles could get a look in the big leagues later on in the season.
Main Photo Credits: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
