National Baseball Report

Dodgers sign pitcher Ramon Ortiz

The Los Angelels Dodgers signed pitcher Ramon Ortiz to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.  Ortiz has not pitched in the major leagues since 2007.  He has a 4.90 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in his nine major league seasons.

Dodgers sign Jeff Weaver to a minor league contract

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher Jeff Weaver to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.  Weaver is a native of Simi Valley, California.  He was 6-4 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP for the Dodgers in 2009.  He is expected to have a good shot at making the Dodgers' pitching staff.

Dodgers sign Alfredo Amezaga

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher Alfredo Amezaga to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.  If Amezaga makes the major league club, he will make $650,000.  He can make up to $800,000 with incentives.  Amezaga is recovering from knee surgery which limited him to 27 games for the Florida Marlins in 2009.

Dodgers sign Reed Johnson

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed outfielder Reed Johnson to a one-year contract according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.  Johnson is expected to serve as the club's fourth outfielder in 2010.  Johnson hit .255 with four home runs and 22 RBI in 165 at-bats for the Chicago Cubs in 2009.

"Defense and defensive versatility are more valuable than whether he hits righty or lefty," said general manager Ned Colletti. "[Johnson] can play all three outfield positions."

Dodgers sign Justin Knoedler

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed catcher Justin Knoedler to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.  Knoelder has appeared in just 14 major league games in his career.  He hit .200 with two home runs and five RBI in 60 at-bats in Triple-A in 2009.

Dodgers sign Timo Perez and John Koronka

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed outfielder Timo Perez and pitcher John Koronka to minor league contracts with an invitation to spring training according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.  Perez has not played in the major leagues since 2007.  Koronka was 4-10 with a 4.83 ERA in 128.2 innings in Triple-A for the Florida Marlins in 2009.

Dodgers sign Belliard and Ausmus

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed second baseman Ronnie Belliard and catcher Brad Ausmus according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

Belliard received a one-year, $825,000 contract plus incentives.  He hit .277 with 39 runs and 39 RBI between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Belliard was acquired last august in a trade with the Washington Nationals.

Ausmus received a one-year, $850,000 contract with a $1 million option for 2011 and a $150,000 buyout.  Ausmus hit .295 with one home runs and nine RBI in 95 at-bats for the Dodgers.  Ausmus served as Russell Martin's backup in 2009.

Mark Loretta expected to retire next week

Second baseman Mark Loretta is expected to retire next week according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.  In 15 seasons, Loretta hit .295 with 76 home runs, 768 runs scored and 629 RBI.  He hit .232 with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009.  He is expected to take a front-office position with a major league club.

Dodgers sign Vincente Padilla

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher Vincente Padilla to a one-year, $5.025 million contract according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.  Padilla was 12-6 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 147.1 innings between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009.

Padilla was released by the Rangers in 2009 in part because he was considered a bad teammate.  Dodgers players said that Padilla was a great teammate with them.

Dodgers sign Ethier to a two-year, $15.25 million contract

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed outfielder Andre Ethier to a two-year, $15.25 million contract according to the Associated Press.  The contract give Ethier a $500,000 signing bonus.  He will make $5.5 million in 2010 and $9.25 million in 2011.  Ethier hit .272 with 31 home runs and 106 RBI and an .869 OPS for the Dodgers in 2009.