Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Yency Almonte to Minor League Deal

The Dodgers just brought back right-handed reliever Yency Almonte on a minor-league deal. He’s expected to show up at big-league camp this spring.

This move adds a familiar face to Los Angeles’ bullpen mix. Almonte, now 31, spent 2022 and 2023 with the Dodgers, tossing 83 1/3 innings with a 3.35 ERA, a 23.9% strikeout rate, and an 11.9% walk rate.

His results in LA were all over the place, but the front office seems to appreciate his versatility. He’s shown he can miss bats late in games, which isn’t nothing.

The Dodgers will take a closer look at Almonte during spring workouts. They’ll want to see if he can keep his velocity up and throw strikes well enough to stick in the bullpen.

Since it’s a minor-league deal, the team keeps its roster options open. That’s helpful for a club that wants competition and depth—both in the majors and at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Almonte’s career arc: highs, lows, and velocity changes

Back in 2022, Almonte looked like a real steal, posting a ridiculous 1.02 ERA over 35 1/3 innings. Things didn’t go as smoothly in 2023, though, when his ERA ballooned to 5.06 in 48 innings.

The Dodgers shipped him to the Cubs in 2024, packaging him with Michael Busch in exchange for prospects Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris. That move suggested LA saw him as a depth piece, not a core reliever.

Almonte’s time in Chicago was rough. Injuries and some shaky outings kept him to just 15 2/3 innings in 2024, even though he managed a 3.45 ERA in that small sample.

The Cubs outrighted him in November, and he hit free agency. Not long after, he circled back to the Dodgers on a minor-league pact.

Unfortunately, injuries stuck around in 2025. He only managed 19 1/3 innings in the Cubs’ minor-league system that year. For his big-league career, he’s put up 223 innings with a 4.44 ERA, a 22.5% strikeout rate, a 9.9% walk rate, and a 43.5% ground-ball rate.

His velocity’s been a rollercoaster. With the Dodgers, he could touch 96 mph, but that fastball lost about two ticks during his Cubs stint. Health and mechanics seem to be the big variables for him, especially early in the year.

Almonte started out as a Rockies starter, then shifted to relief. He’s flashed late-inning stuff when things are right, so he could still fit as a bullpen arm if things break his way this spring.

• Major-league inventory: 223 innings, 4.44 ERA, 22.5% strikeout rate, 9.9% walk rate, 43.5% ground-ball rate.
• 2022 vs. 2023: standout 1.02 ERA in 35 1/3 innings vs. a 5.06 ERA in 48 innings.
• Trade notes: traded to the Cubs in 2024 with Michael Busch for Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris.
• Injury history: shoulder strain limited 2024 Cubs work; 2025 saw continued minor-league inactivity due to injuries.
• Velocity trend: roughly 96 mph in Dodgers’ setup; dipped ~2 mph with the Cubs, a factor teams will weigh in spring.

What this means for the Dodgers’ bullpen depth and long-term plan

The minor-league contract keeps Almonte in the mix. The Dodgers don’t have to give him a guaranteed major-league roster spot, which feels smart for a club juggling immediate needs and affordable depth.

If Almonte looks sharp in camp, he could grab a bullpen assignment. Or maybe he ends up as a trusted option in the Oklahoma City rotation—right-handed relievers with big-league experience can really matter around the edges.

Los Angeles keeps aiming for precise bullpen depth, especially now that spring competition is getting intense. Almonte’s experience and his history with the Dodgers’ coaching staff give him a real shot at reclaiming a bullpen seat.

If his velocity sticks and he finds his command again, he might help out in the middle or late innings. If not, well, he still gives the organization a live arm at Triple-A, ready to step in if things get weird.

 
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