Spring training 2015: Old friends in new places

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With spring training underway around baseball, I like to look at former Dodgers who have been invited to other camps as non-roster invitees.

I like referring to former Dodgers as old friends, out of deference to Vin Scully, who has often called former Dodgers that. This grew out of habit from the old Dodger Thoughts comments almost into what some might call an obsession of mine. It confounded Josh Lindblom, himself an old friend now pitching for the Lotte Giants in the Korean Baseball Organization.

"@truebluela: Old friend @JoshLindblom52 was claimed off waivers by the Pirates" I will never understand your obsession with old friend.

— Josh Lindblom (@JoshLindblom52) December 8, 2014

Most of these have been compiled over the offseason as news trickles in, and augmented with a quick perusal of major league spring rosters. If I am missing any, please let me know. But here is the list of old friends in new spring training camps, trying to find their way back to a 40-man roster:

Padres: Scott Elbert, Griff Erickson*, Josh Bell*

Bell never actually played for the Dodgers, but was a reasonably prominent minor leaguer who was traded to Baltimore in 2009 for George Sherrill, giving Bell at least memorable status as a Dodger, in my mind. Erickson never played in the majors for the Dodgers but was in their system for the last eight years, and now reunited in San Diego with Logan White, the man who drafted him for Los Angeles.

Giants: Carlos Triunfel

Rockies: Roger Bernadina

Diamondbacks: Nick Punto, Jamie Romak, Nick Buss, Nick Evans*

This is where the definition gets super loose. Evans was a non-roster invitee with the Dodgers in 2013 that was released early in camp. But since this is my list, I get to make the rules, and since I covered that camp and by extension covered Evans, he counts in my book as an old friend.

Pirates: Josh Wall

Cardinals: none

Cubs: Mike Baxter

Brewers: Chris Perez, Elian Herrera

Reds: Ivan De Jesus, Paul Maholm, Kevin Gregg*

Gregg was a non-roster invitee in 2013, somewhat surprisingly didn't make the team, and was released after not reporting to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Mets: Buddy Carlyle, Alex Castellanos, Scott Rice*

Rice nearly made the opening day roster as a non-roster invitee in 2012, but the left-handed journeyman was one of the Dodgers' final cuts.

Phillies: Koyie Hill, Xavier Paul

Marlins: Reed Johnson

Nationals: Clint Robinson

Braves: Todd Coffey, Eric Stults

Angels: none

Mariners: John Baker*, Mark Lowe*

The Dodgers claimed Baker off waivers in June 2013 but he never saw time in the big leagues with them. Lowe was a non-roster invitee with the Dodgers in 2013 and had an out clause that was exercised when he didn't make the team.

Rangers: Jamey Wright

Athletics: none

Astros: Roberto Hernandez

White Sox: Brad Penny, Andy LaRoche

Tigers: Joel Hanrahan*

A second-round pick in 2000, Hanrhan was a starter his entire minor league career with the Dodgers and pitched parts of four seasons in Triple-A, but has made a major league career elsewhere in the bullpen. Hanrahan is recovering from Tommy John surgery he had in May 2013.

Indians: Jerry Sands

Royals: Joe Blanton

Twins: none

Orioles: Mark Hendrickson, Steve Johnson*

Johnson was the other half of the Sherrill trade. While with the Dodgers he never advanced past high Class-A.

Yankees: none

Red Sox: Dana Eveland

Blue Jays: Greg Infante*

Infante was a non-roster invitee to Dodgers camp in 2013.

Rays: Ronald Belisario, Eugenio Velez

Since his historic 0-for-37 turn with the Dodgers in 2011, Velez hasn't made it back to the majors, but has hit .291/.366/.445 in three minor league seasons.