Yency Almonte: Everything you need to know

The Dodgers signed Almonte to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Almonte missed the first half of the 2025 season after having surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder but returned to make 15 appearances in the minors in the Cubs organization. The 31-year-old reliever has collected a 4.44 ERA, 22.5 percent strikeout rate and 9.9 percent walk rate over parts of seven major-league seasons, which includes a stint with the Dodgers from 2022-2023.

Almonte (shoulder) was reinstated from Triple-A Iowa's 60-day injured list Aug. 19 and was assigned to Double-A Knoxville. Almonte underwent right labrum repair surgery last July and missed the entire first half of the season before he began a rehab assignment July 30. After Almonte accrued a 1.04 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 8.2 innings over seven appearances for High-A South Bend, the Cubs opted to activate him from Iowa's IL and reassign him to Double-A. Almonte has given up one run over three innings through his first two appearances for Knoxville and could move up to Iowa before long.

While Almonte is expected to start the season in the minors, he could be a bullpen option for the Cubs over the summer, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports. Almonte figures to start the year with Triple-A Iowa. The righty had a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings with Chicago last season before entering free agency in November, but he wound up returning on a minor-league deal. Should he make it back to the majors, Almonte will likely serve in a middle relief role and have limited fantasy appeal.