Dodgers: Could Luis Ayala be next season’s Jeff Weaver?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The Dodgers are in discussions with free-agent reliever Luis Ayala about a minor-league deal, according to a source with knowledge of the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Ayala, who turns 32 next month, was 1-5 with a 5.62 earned-run average for the Twins and Marlins this year. The right-hander had a rough year, as he was released by the Twins in July and designated for assignment by the Marlins in August.

Ayala is 29-39 with a 3.67 ERA over six major-league seasons. The last time his ERA was less than four was in 2007, when he posted a 3.19 ERA in 44 games for Washington.

Ayala is currently pitching in Mexico’s winter league and has five saves and a 3.92 ERA in 18 appearances for Culiacan.

The Dodgers have received significant mileage from pitchers they signed to minor-league deals in recent seasons, among them Takashi Saito, Chan Ho Park and Jeff Weaver.

-- Dylan Hernandez