Dodgers sign Matt West, Shawn Zarraga, Jack Murphy to minors deals

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have signed a few familiar faces to minor league contracts for 2016 that include non-roster invitations to big league camp in spring training, with pitcher Matt West and catchers Shawn Zarraga and Jack Murphy expected at Camelback Ranch in a few months.

The Dodgers have not yet announced reporting dates for spring training next year, but their Cactus League schedule begins on March 3 against the White Sox. Per the collective bargaining agreement, the earliest date pitchers and catchers can be invited to workout in camp is Feb. 18.

West was acquired from the Blue Jays for cash considerations on May 4, and put up a combined 4.85 ERA in 26 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2015, with 34 strikeouts and 13 walks in 39 innings. The right-hander pitched in two games for the Dodgers as well, totaling three scoreless innings.

West, 27, became a minor league free agent after the season, and like Zarraga and Murphy, were re-signed to minor league deals shortly thereafter.

Zarraga was acquired by the Dodgers from the Brewers on Dec. 18, 2014 in exchange for pitcher Jarret Martin and minor league outfielder Nolan Long. Zarraga, who turns 27 in January, hit .286/.348/.362 in 62 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City.

He was also a non-roster invitee to Dodgers camp in 2015, and took part in the club's revamped winter development program in January.

Murphy was a late-season acquisition, the player to be named later from Toronto when Darwin Barney was traded to the Blue Jays on Sept. 13. Murphy, who turns 28 in April, hit .220/.309/.315 in 85 games for Double-A New Hampshire in 2015.

The Dodgers also signed infielder Charlie Culberson as a non-roster invitee to spring training on Nov. 21. Other deals will trickle in over the next few months, as we get closer to spring training.