Dodgers News: Dodgers Continue Pitching Additions, Sign Cole Irvin to MiLB Deal
Irvin becomes the latest arm to join the Dodgers’ growing pool of rotation insurance.
LOS ANGELES, CA—With DodgerFest now over, and the start of the 2026 season just under two weeks away when pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly inked veteran left-hander Cole Irvin to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
The reports of the deal were first reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media and later confirmed by Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Irvin, 32, a six-year pro, returns to the U.S. after playing the 2025 season in Seoul with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League. Over 28 starts and 144.2 innings with the Bears, he posted a 4.48 ERA, a 19.7% strikeout rate, and a 12.2% walk rate.
Irvin posted a 4.54 ERA, 17.1% strikeout rate, and 5.6% walk rate over 593 innings at the Major League level from 2019-24, so his control issues now are a sudden concern.
Still, with multiple pitchers on the Dodgers’ pitching staff, whether in the starting rotation or bullpen, rehabbing or dealing with their own various injuries, the signing of Irvin could be insurance if one or many of them are out during the regular season.
Irvin will also fortify the Dodgers’ minor league pitching depth as well, able to fill a variety of roles either from the rotation or bullpen, where he’ll likely stick around in Triple-A until called upon.
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