The Dodgers have signed 28-year old lefty starter/reliever Matt Chico to a minor league deal. Chico pitched in 27 games (2 starts) in Rookie+AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 3-4 with 1 save, a 5.87 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. He has pitched in 43 games (40 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 7-15 with a 4.95 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. If Chico is healthy, he could be a huge surprise for the Dodgers in 2012.

The Dodgers have signed 36-year old lefty reliever Alberto Castillo to a minor league deal. Castillo pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Diamondbacks last year and he was 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He has now pitched in 79 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 3-0 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Castillo will have a really good shot of making the Dodgers’ bullpen next spring.

UPDATE: (3/18/2012) - The Dodgers have released Alberto Castillo.

The Dodgers have inked 25-year old righty relieve/starter Ryan Tucker to a minor league deal. Tucker pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last year and he was 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. He has now pitched in 18 games (6 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 2-3 with a 8.14 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. Tucker will likely start the 2012 season in the minors.

The Dodgers have signed 26-year old righty reliever Jose Ascanio to a minor league deal. He pitched in 8 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 0-0 with a 7.11 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP. Ascanio has now pitched in 43 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 1-3 with a 5.28 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. He will get a shot to win a job in the bullpen next spring.

UPDATE: (2/23/2012) - The Dodgers have voided Jose Ascanio minor league deal as he failed his physical.

29-year old righty reliever/starter Fernando Nieve has signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers. Nieve pitched in 3 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Astros and he was 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA and a 2.09 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Mets. He has pitched in 99 games (19 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 8-11 with a 4.61 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Nieve has a nice upside if he can stay healthy.