Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
In the great tradition of Ramon Castro and Jesus Flores and other vaguely memorable backup catchers long past their prime, the Dodgers announced via press release that they’ve signed 35-year-old Miguel Olivo to a minor-league contract and invited him to camp.
In 12 years in the big leagues, Olivo has a .241/.275/.417 line, which is, ah, bad. That said, he does have eight different years with double-digit homers, including a high of 23 in 2009, and a strong throwing arm, so there’s that. But there’s also this: he didn’t play after June 12 last year because of some, well, awkwardness:
The Marlins placed Miguel Olivo on the restricted list after the team refused his request to be released and he walked out on the club at the start of Friday’s game.
“I told them I wanted to be released and they wouldn’t give it to me,” Olivo, upset with his lack of playing time, said in a phone interview with the Miami Herald. “I don’t understand why they don’t release me. I told them I wanted to be released because I have 30 days of not playing. I need to play.”
Ah, the Marlins. What can’t you do wrong? Assuming Drew Butera makes it through waivers — he’s out of options — Olivo will fight with J.C. Boscan for a job in Albuquerque.
The Dodgers also brought back catcher Griff Erickson, who had been a minor league free agent after seven years — only two good — in the organization.
From the release, the full list of camp invites to date:
1. J.C. Boscan, C
2. Sam Demel, RHP
3. Griff Erickson, C
4. Carlos Frias, RHP
5. Brendan Harris, INF
6. Zach Lee, RHP
7. Daniel Moskos, LHP
8. Chris O’Brien, C
9. Miguel Olivo, C
10. Red Patterson, RHP
11. Joc Pederson, OF
12. Chris Reed, LHP
13. Clint Robinson, INF
14. Miguel Rojas, INF
15. Ross Stripling, RHP
Hey, look! Actual interesting prospects in camp!
