Josh Towers Released, Rafael Furcal Returning?

Josh Towers was released after opting out of his minor league contract upon having not been called up. He follows the lead of Luis Ayala.

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Rafael Furcal could return Sunday, which would greatly improve the Dodger defense.

"Only thing we're concerned about is stuff that may surprise his body, quick moves whether it's at shortstop or out of the box," Torre said. "One game is certainly not enough to get his timing, he'll have to get that here."

The Dodgers didn't want to send Furcal to Triple-A Albuquerque or Class A Inland Empire because the team can control the game action in extended spring training, potentially giving Furcal a look at as many or as few situations as it deems necessary.

Luis Ayala, Casey Blake, and Carlos Santana

Luis Ayala, another of Ned Colletti's "depth" signings (I'll tread lightly and kindly and stick with depth) has exercised an out clause in his minor league deal, reports Dylan Hernandez via the increasingly-takes-up-my-time Twitter these young kids all have now*. If the club doesn't add Ayala to the 25-man roster by Monday, he's a free man.

Ordinarily this would scare me to death, because Ayala is a veteran and the Dodgers seem scared to lose anyone, no matter how awful or replaceable they are. However, I think it's safe to say Ayala will be gone by Monday night's deadline.

I wrote the above on Sunday, and it's now Tuesday morning. So I think it's safe to assume he's been let go of. Thank god for that.

*My buddy's 9-year-old step-brother has an iPad, iPhone, Facebook, and Twitter. Apocalypse, much?*

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This post on Casey Blake from Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness immediately made me think of Carlos Santana (oh how much I miss him), which then lead me to this song I very much enjoy. I hope you do as well.

Three Sent To AAA

Luis Ayala, Justin Miller, and J.D. Closser were all sent down to AAA Albuquerque. All three had signed minor league deals in the offseason with invitations to Spring Training.

Final roster decisions will be made on Saturday in preparation for Monday's season opener against the Pirates.

Some comments from Joe Torre on Ayala and Miller:

"I think Ayala probably has a bigger arm but was a little more inconsistent. But they got experience so it's always nice to have people down there you can choose from."

"I think Miller was a little more consistent," Torre said. "He showed me he could get both lefties and righties out even though he's a little better against right-handers. But he showed a nice offspeed pitch against lefties."

Dodgers Sign 9 To Minor League Deals

• Doug Mientkiewicz
• Angel Berroa
• Josh Towers
• Justin Miller
• Luis Ayala
• Prentice Redman
• Juan Perez
• John Lindsey
• Francisco Felix

All 9 have received an invite to Spring Training.

The first 7 have been mentioned here already, but the last two are new names.

Lindsey, 32, spent time in AA and AAA with the Dodgers between 2007 and 2008.

Felix, 26, has spent his entire pro career in the states in the Dodgers organization, beginning in A ball in 2006 and reaching AAA in 2008. He split 2009 between AA Chattanooga and AAA Albuquerque. Over his 5 seasons of minor league baseball, including time spent in the Mexican League, Felix has K'd 8.7/9 IP with a WHIP of 1.37.

Dodgers Sign Two Veterans

The Dodgers have signed journeyman infielder Jamey Carroll, 35, and journeyman reliever Luis Ayala, 31.

Carroll's deal is for 2 years and reportedly about $3.85 million, plus incentives.


Ayala's deal is a minor-league deal with an invitation to camp come Spring Training. He has a career FIP of 4.01.


Carroll better not take time away from the younger, upside-laden and, quite frankly, better Blake DeWitt. Carroll is a backup, a bench player. Treat him as such.