Left-hander Drew Pomeranz has been released by the Dodgers, as reported by MLB.com’s transactions tracker. After opting out of a previous contract with the Dodgers in April and subsequently re-signing, it is unclear if he triggered another opt-out clause this time. Nonetheless, he is now headed back to the free agent market.
Pomeranz, 35, has been attempting a comeback this year following several injury-plagued seasons. He initially signed a minor league deal with the Angels during the offseason but was released before signing two separate minor league contracts with the Dodgers.
According to his transactions tracker, Pomeranz was placed on the minor league injured list on April 21 but recently returned to action. He pitched a scoreless inning on May 15, striking out two of the three batters he faced. On May 18, he threw two innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced while allowing one hit. Dodgers Daily shared a video of this outing on X.
These recent performances suggest Pomeranz is in good form. Overall, he has pitched nine innings this year, allowing six earned runs, four of which were in his first appearance. In the subsequent eight innings, he has a 2.25 ERA, a 48.3% strikeout rate, and a 3.4% walk rate.
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Previously, Pomeranz was among the top relievers in baseball. The Brewers acquired him at the 2019 trade deadline and moved him to the bullpen with great success, leading the Padres to sign him to a four-year contract. He continued to excel with San Diego, and from his time with Milwaukee until the end of 2021, Pomeranz posted a 1.91 ERA over 70 2/3 innings, with a 37.8% strikeout rate, a 10.2% walk rate, and a 46.2% ground ball rate.
However, he ended the 2021 season on the injured list due to flexor tendon surgery and has not played in the majors since, missing the final two years of his deal with the Padres. His attempts to return to the mound have frequently been hampered by setbacks, including a “cleanup surgery” on his elbow in May of last year.
This year, Pomeranz has been pitching more consistently than in recent years. He threw eight innings for the Angels in the spring and has added nine more innings for Triple-A Oklahoma over the past two months. Having recently rejoined the Dodgers on another minor league deal after opting out last month, there is a possibility of another reunion between the two sides. However, the Dodgers’ crowded bullpen might prompt Pomeranz to explore opportunities with other teams that offer a clearer path back to the majors.
