Report: Brewers agree to minor-league deal with Dontrelle Willis
Don't call it a comeback. For now, it's only an invitation.
Dontrelle Willis will attempt to revive his major league career this spring after reportedly agreeing to terms with the Milwaukee Brewers on a minor-league contract. The deal includes an invitation to spring training, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
Willis, 33, hasn't pitched in the majors since 2011 as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, struggling to a 5.00 ERA and 4.4 BB/9 rate across 13 starts. The two-time All-Star has since signed several minor-league deals but failed to parlay any of those opportunities into an active roster spot.
For a brief period at the beginning of his career, Willis was among the premier lefties in baseball.
The 2003 Rookie of the Year posted a 3.78 ERA in five seasons with the Florida Marlins, averaging 205 innings per year and wracking up 15 complete games. He finished second in Cy Young voting in 2005 after leading the league in wins (22), complete games (seven) and shutouts (five).
Most recently, Willis toyed with the idea of transitioning to a pitching coach before signing on with the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlanta League last summer.
With the Brewers rotation all but set, Willis will likely compete for a bullpen role this spring.