Fresh off a championship campaign, the Los Angeles Dodgers are wasting no time addressing areas of concern.
While the roster that captured the World Series remains largely intact, the front office has zeroed in on one particular weakness from last season: the bullpen.
Ranked 21st in ERA among all MLB relief corps, the unit was serviceable at times but inconsistent enough to warrant reinforcement.
On Monday, the Dodgers confirmed the signing of veteran Jordan Weems to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.
The move, which appeared on the club’s official transaction ledger, positions Weems as a depth option heading into camp at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.
Though Weems has appeared in only 144 major league games over six seasons, his professional journey is anything but conventional.
Originally drafted in the third round out of Columbus High School in Georgia by the Boston Red Sox in 2011, Weems entered pro ball not as a pitcher, but as a catcher.
Jordan Weems, the versatile veteran
Known for his defensive skills and strong throwing arm, he was labeled an all-defense, no-hit backstop early in his career.
That offensive limitation kept him largely confined to Single-A ball within the Red Sox system, aside from a brief 17-game stint with Double-A Portland in 2015.
Recognizing that his path to the majors as a catcher was narrowing, Boston converted him to a pitcher in 2016. The transition required patience; he spent three additional seasons developing on the mound before electing free agency.
His opportunity arrived when he signed with the then-Oakland Athletics. Invited to spring training, Weems impressed enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.
However, the 2020 season was upended by the COVID pandemic, delaying his debut until the shortened 60-game schedule began in July.
Once play resumed, Weems appeared in nine games for Oakland, posting a 3.21 ERA across 14 innings while striking out 18 and issuing seven walks.
A depth play with upside potential
Last season proved more turbulent. Weems began 2025 in the Atlanta Braves organization but was released on May 19.
He subsequently signed with the Houston Astros, spending most of the year with their Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
His time in Houston was brief at the major league level – just 4.1 innings over four appearances, during which he allowed seven runs.
Despite the uneven results, evaluators see traits worth refining. According to SI.com, Weems has a fastball that averages 95.7 mph and could be the type of pitcher the Dodgers look to make some refinements with.”
That combination of velocity and untapped upside aligns with the Dodgers‘ reputation for pitcher development.
For a club intent on defending its title, marginal gains matter. The Dodgers have consistently demonstrated an ability to identify arms with raw tools and optimize them.
Adding Weems on a low-risk minor league deal reflects that strategy to bolster competition in camp and potentially uncover a late-inning contributor.
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