Dodgers Add Depth with 32 Non-Roster Invites to Spring Training, Including Veterans Zavala and Weems
Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the annual flurry of roster moves as teams begin shaping their depth charts for the long grind ahead. For the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, that process officially kicked off this week as the club announced its full list of non-roster invitees to spring training in Glendale, Arizona.
In total, 32 players received invitations-an intriguing mix of top prospects, organizational mainstays, and a few under-the-radar veteran additions who quietly joined the fold this offseason. Among the latter group are two experienced names: catcher Seby Zavala and right-handed reliever Jordan Weems, both of whom signed minor league deals with the club.
Let’s start with Weems. The 33-year-old righty has carved out a journeyman career across six straight MLB seasons, and while the numbers might not leap off the page-he owns a 5.51 ERA over 160 big-league innings-there’s still value in his experience.
Last season, he made just four appearances for Houston, allowing seven runs over 4.1 innings. Most of his 2025 work came at the Triple-A level, splitting time between the Astros and Braves organizations.
There, he posted a 4.44 ERA, along with a 24% strikeout rate and an 11.2% walk rate-numbers that suggest he still has the kind of stuff that can miss bats, even if command remains a work in progress.
For a Dodgers bullpen that thrives on depth and flexibility, Weems is the kind of arm that could sneak into the conversation if he puts together a strong spring. He’s not being asked to carry the load-just to be ready if and when the call comes.
Then there’s Zavala, a 32-year-old catcher known more for his glove than his bat. Across 194 career MLB games, he’s slashed .205/.271/.342, and while the offensive production hasn’t been there consistently, his defensive reputation keeps him in the mix. Last season in Triple-A with Boston, Zavala struggled at the plate, hitting .164 with a 36% strikeout rate, but his experience behind the dish is what gives him value in a crowded catching room.
He’ll join fellow non-roster invitee Chuckie Robinson and newly acquired Ben Rortvedt-claimed off waivers from Cincinnati earlier this month-as part of a group jockeying for position behind the plate. The Dodgers already have Will Smith entrenched as their everyday catcher, but the backup spot (and potential third-catcher depth) remains open for competition. Zavala’s veteran presence and defensive reliability could make him a steadying option, especially if the Dodgers prefer a glove-first backup.
While these kinds of signings don’t always make headlines, they’re the quiet moves that often end up mattering over the course of a 162-game season. Injuries happen.
Depth gets tested. And having reliable, experienced options like Weems and Zavala in the system gives the Dodgers a little more insurance as they look to defend their crown.
Spring training is about more than just the stars. It’s about finding out who’s ready to step up when called upon-and these two veterans will be looking to prove they still have something left in the tank.