Mark Lowe doesn’t make the cut and is released by the Dodgers. Photo: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The 29-year old pitched in 9 games for the Dodgers this Spring. He had a  4.15 ERA with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks in 8 2/3 innings.

Mattingly commented on the reality of the situation in which the Dodgers have to possibly hang on to eight starting pitchers:

 

 

“Lowe didn’t do anything wrong in camp. We just didn’t have a spot. Gregg and Moylan, they both don’t have deadlines. We had to make a decision.”

Kevin Gregg has pitched pretty well this Spring, and he has a 1.00 ERA in 9 innings of work. The righty reliever has only allowed one earned run and three hits. Although Gregg’s Spring showing could win him a spot in the Dodgers bullpen, there are far too many pitchers and few precious spots.

The Dodgers will likely need to stash Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang, and Ted Lilly in the bullpen. Kenley Jansen, Brandon League, Ronald Belisario, and J.P. Howell are shoe-ins. That leaves Matt Guerrier, Paco Rodriguez, Josh Wall, Gregg, and Moylan as the remaining contending relievers. Gregg and Moylan will most likely be sent down to the Minors.

There are now 38 players remaining in Major League camp with just a week left before Opening Day. Next Thursday the Dodgers play an exciting split squad game back in California. There will be an exhibition game played against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at the Epicenter and the Freeway Series begins in Anaheim. The Dodgers may hold off on any more cuts until after Thursday.

Reliever Mark Lowe has reached agreement on minor league deal with #Dodgers. Includes invite to big league camp.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) February 8, 2013

Mark Lowe-Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Lowe is a 29 year old right hander from Houston Texas, originally drafted by the Mariners in the fifth round of the 2004 amateur draft. Lowe made his MLB debut at age 23 while with the Mariners in 2006. Lowe has primarily been a set-up man, and middle reliever while pitching for the Mariners, and Rangers. Lowe pitched for Seattle from 2006-2010, before being traded along with Cliff Lee to the Rangers, for prospects  Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke, Matt Lawson, and Justin Smoak.

Right elbow problems, limited Lowe to only 15 games in 2006, and four games in 2007. Lowe pitched in 57 games for Seattle in 2008 while posting a 5.37 ERA, and then followed that season by posting a 3.26 ERA in 75 games for the Mariners in 2009. In 2010 Lowe was traded to the Rangers in the Cliff Lee deal. After Lowe’s trade to Texas, he was knocked out because of back problems, but did make a comeback late in the season.  Lowe’s injuries limited him to only 25 games in 2010 between Seattle and Texas. The next season Lowe recovered to have a solid season. Lowe pitched in 52 games in 2011 for Texas, posting a 3.80 ERA, and an 8.4 whiff per nine rate.

Lowe was most infamous for allowing the home run to Cardinal’s David Freese in game 6 of the 2011 World Series for Texas. Lowe continued to have injury problems in 2012. This time it was a strained intercostal muscle that kept him to only pitching in 36 games last season. He still posted a 3.43 ERA, with 28 whiffs in 39 innings pitched. Lowe has been mainly considered a power pitcher by using three pitches, a fastball, slider, and circle change-up. His fastball reportedly can reach speeds of 100 MPH.

Perhaps the Dodgers didn’t give him a guaranteed contract because of all the injuries he has had over the years. Last season Lowe made 1.7 million dollars with Texas. The contract he signed with the Dodgers is worth 1.5 million dollars, if Lowe makes the big league roster. Incentives could increase the value of the contract to 2.1 million dollars.

Lowe has posted a career 3.94 ERA, with a 7.8 whiff per nine rate, and a 3.8 walk per nine rate. He has a 7-20 career record, and has recorded five saves. His spits indicate he is stronger against right handers then left handers, making him a possible intriguing Roogie. (righty one out guy)

Lowe throws very hard, and has always put up decent numbers. It seems like he should have a pretty decent chance to make the opening day roster, considering there are a couple of spots in the Dodger bullpen that will be up for grabs in spring training. Then again he could be just another spring training arm. Only time will tell for Lowe.