In the world of baseball, having a surplus of pitching talent is never a bad thing, especially during spring training. The Los Angeles Dodgers seem to agree, as they've brought back a familiar face to the fold.
Yency Almonte, a right-handed pitcher who previously donned the Dodgers uniform in 2022 and 2023, is making a return. During his initial stint, Almonte made 81 appearances before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2024. The trade involved first baseman Michael Busch, who has since thrived in Chicago, and brought prospects Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris to Los Angeles, both of whom the Dodgers still have high hopes for.
While Busch has made a name for himself with the Cubs, Almonte has faced challenges securing a spot on a major league roster. Now, he's back at Dodgers camp, hoping to reignite his career.
News of Almonte's return surfaced on Thursday, thanks to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Interestingly, Almonte himself hinted at the move by posting an Instagram story featuring his new Dodgers spring training hat, a detail noted by Jeff Spiegel of Dodger Blue.
Last season, Almonte signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs while recovering from a shoulder strain. Although he didn't make it back to the majors, he impressed in the minors with a 1.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts over 19 1/3 innings between High-A and Double-A.
During his time with the Dodgers, Almonte posted a respectable 3.35 ERA over 83 1/3 innings, though he faced some difficulties in the 2022 playoffs. His tenure with the Cubs started promisingly with a 3.45 ERA in 17 outings before an injury sidelined him in May 2024.
As minor-league signings go, Almonte presents a potential upside for the Dodgers. The competition for an opening day roster spot with the defending World Series champions is fierce, but there's a good chance we'll see the veteran make his way back to the majors this season.