Former Dodgers pitcher signs with 2024 playoff contender

The New York Mets have signed right-handed relief pitcher Dylan Covey to a one-year major league contract. On Thursday, the franchise announced its first MLB offseason deal through X.

Covey has played five seasons in the major leagues, but has yet to appear in an MLB game as of 2023. At the end of March, the 33-year-old suffered a right shoulder injury, which caused him to start the season with a 15-day injury. list. He was sent to rehab with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils and Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. However, the same day he was reactivated, he was immediately sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Covey entered free agency on October 10.

The Oakland Athletics selected Covey with the 131st pick in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB draft. However, he did not make his MLB debut until April 14, 2017, with the Chicago White Sox, who claimed him off waivers in December 2016.

In addition to the White Sox, Covey played in the MLB with the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. In February 2020, the Tampa Bay Rays signed Covey as a free agent to a minor league contract. Although the Rays invited Covey to spring training, he did not appear in the MLB league. Five months later, Tampa Bay traded Covey to the Red Sox.

After eight MLB appearances with the Red Sox, Covey played two seasons in the Chinese Professional Baseball League in 2021 and 2022. He made 33 starts in the overseas league and recorded a 3.63 ERA, 138 strikeouts and 67 walks.

The Dodgers signed Covey to a minor league contract in January 2023. He made one appearance in the majors, posting an ERA of 4.50 and tossing three strikeouts and one walk in four innings against the Minnesota Twins.

But the Los Angeles native’s dream of pitching for his hometown team was short-lived. Covey wasscheduled for assignment the next dayto make room on the listright-handed pitcher Andre Jackson. Two days later, the Phillies claimed Covey’s release.

During his one-season career with the Dodgers, Covey spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He made six starts in seven appearances, compiling a 4.22 ERA and recording 28 strikeouts and 18 walks in 32 innings.

With the exception of Edwin Díaz, Covey isjust a Mets reliever with a guaranteed contract. The Mets will have plenty of open spots on their team next season, giving Covey a chance to return to the top of the Major League ranks.