Dodgers sign Sean Burnett to minor-league deal

The Dodgers will sign left-hander Sean Burnett to a minor-league deal, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. The deal includes a May 1 opt-out clause.

Burnett, 33, opted out of his deal with the Nationals at the end of spring training and has spent the last few days as a free agent. The Orioles were expected to show interest once he hit the open market, though the opportunity with the Dodgers apparently presented a more attractive option for Burnett.

Los Angeles currently has J.P. Howell as its only left-handed bullpen option, so the team may promote Burnett to the majors in short order. The May 1 opt-out suggests that is the team's plan. as they would not expose him to free agency so soon if there were no plans for him to contribute at the major-league level.

Burnett has not pitched in the majors since 2014 due to injury troubles, but is the owner of a lifetime 15-23 record and 3.53 ERA in 370 appearances (13 starts) with the Pirates (2004, 2008-09), Nationals (2009-12) and Angels (2013-14).