The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Cole Irvin to a minor league contract on Sunday.
Irvin, 32, spent 2025 in KBO after a rough 2024 season with the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles. He also spent time with the Philadelphia Phillies and Oakland Athletics during the first six seasons of his MLB career.
The Dodgers and LHP Cole Irvin have agreed to a Minor League deal, sources tell @JustBB_Media
Irvin, 32, spent last season in KBO with the Doosan Bears, where he pitched to a 4.48 ERA in 144 2/3 IP. Over parts of 6 MLB seasons (593 IP), Irvin owns a 4.54 ERA.
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) February 1, 2026
Irvin, a starter, made 28 appearances with the Doosan Bears in 2025, posting a 4.48 ERA through 144.2 innings pitched. He recorded 128 strikeouts in KBO last season, equalling his career high from his time in MLB.
Throughout his time in MLB, Irvin made a total of 134 appearances with 93 starts. He has a career 4.54 ERA, and his best seasons came with the A’s in 2021 and 2022. He’s struck out 434 batters in 593 innings pitched.
Feb 22, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Irvin (47) throws a pitch during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY SportsDoes Cole Irvin Have a Spot in the Dodgers’ Rotation?
While Irvin does have an invitation to spring training, the chances he breaks into the Dodgers’ first team as a starter are slim.
The Dodgers are likely to run a six-man rotation next season, much like they did towards the end of 2025, and they have plenty of All-Star-caliber players to fill their rotation.
Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan are all healthy and ready to go next season, and the Dodgers also have River Ryan and Gavin Stone as backup plans if they need other options in the rotation.
The Dodgers’ rotation had the fifth-best ERA in MLB last season, and are unlikely to change their solid core of relievers.
Will the Dodgers Make Cole Irvin a Reliever?
While he may not feature for the Dodgers as a starter, the southpaw could cut out a role for himself in the bullpen.
After a shaky end to the 2025 season and very little turnover, the Dodgers could look to use him as a reliever. While most of Irvin’s appearances in MLB came as a starer, he still came out of the bullpen 41 times in six seasons.
If the Dodgers find themselves in a crisis — as they did last season — Irvin could realistically make his return sometime in the upcoming season.
LA Baseball Report
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