Estes, 35, signs deal with Dodgers

Former Douglas baseball standout Shawn Estes will be aiming to make it a clean sweep of the National West this spring.

MLB.com is reporting that Estes, a 1991 Douglas grad, has signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Estes, 35, has played for seven teams in his 13-year career in the major leagues, including four of the five teams in the NL West. The Dodgers would make the fifth, should he make the roster.

Generally speaking, the Dodgers have two holes in their starting pitching rotation heading into camp. Estes will be competing with a number of younger players for those spots, unless the Dodgers bring in a last-minute free agent signing.

According to wire reports, veteran pitchers Randy Wolf and Braden Looper are in talks with the Dodgers.

The left-handed Estes, though, brings his own solid resume with him. He is 101-93 in his career with a 4.71 ERA in 281 starts. He has pitched in an All-Star game and went 2-3 with a 4.74 ERA with San Diego last season.

Estes started last year in the minor leagues while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery but was called up to the big leagues in May. He got off to a strong start, going 4-2 with a 3.67 ERA in six starts before literally falling victim to a freak accident later that month.

He broke his thump after falling on the tunnel stairs between the Padres' clubhouse and dugout while playing a game against the Giants. He returned later in the year but was released from the club after the season.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report