Major League Baseball

Dodgers, Amezaga reach deal

Published Feb. 2, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

Free-agent infielder Alfredo Amezaga has reached an agreement with the Dodgers on a minor-league contract.

The deal will pay Amezaga $650,000 if he makes the major-league roster. He also can earn an additional $800,000 in performance bonuses.

FOXSports.com was the first to report the agreement.

The Dodgers also reached a minor-league deal Wednesday with right-hander Ramon Ortiz.

Amezaga, if healthy after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee last July, can serve the Dodgers as both an infielder and outfielder, filling a super-utility role. He is on course in his recovery, a source said.

Amezaga, 32, began running only a few weeks ago. He is now taking groundballs and throwing and increasing his running program.

The Dodgers recently signed Reed Johnson to be their fourth outfielder. Jamey Carroll will be one infield reserve, and Nick Green also will be in camp competing for a spot. Ron Belliard and Blake DeWitt are the leading candidates at second base.

The Marlins nontendered Amezaga because of medical concerns, but considered him one of their more valuable players from 2006 to ’08.

Ortiz, who turns 37 on March 23, hasn't pitched in the majors since 2007 with Minnesota and Colorado. He was 5-6 with a 3.05 ERA last year in 16 starts and 19 relief appearances for San Francisco's Triple-A Fresno farm team. Ortiz is 84-80 in nine major league seasons.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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