Jonathan Broxton not returning to the Dodgers, agent says

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Jonathan Broxton has ruled out the possibility of re-signing with the Dodgers, according to his agent, BB Abbott.

“He will not be back in L.A.,” Abbott wrote in a text message Monday morning.

Abbott said his client is close to moving on.

“He had multiple suitors and we should have something tentative in the next few days,” Abbott said.

Abbott acknowledged he had conversations with the Dodgers about Broxton, but declined to say how far the talks advanced. Abbott had previously said Broxton was open to returning to the Dodgers.

Broxton’s departure wasn’t surprising, considering the uncertainty about his form and the emergences of Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen in the back of the Dodgers’ bullpen. Guerra and Jansen flourished last season, as Broxton pitched in only 14 games because of elbow problems.

Broxton, 27, underwent a minor procedure in September to shave down a bone spur and remove loose bodies. He last pitched on May 3.

Broxton was the Dodgers’ second-round pick in the 2002 draft.

A hard thrower, Broxton quickly turned into a reliable and frequently used setup man. He became the Dodgers’ part-time closer in 2008, when Takashi Saito was sidelined with elbow issues. The Dodgers parted ways with Saito the following winter and made Broxton their full-time closer.

As a closer, Broxton was often spectacular, utilizing his 100-mph fastball to become a two-time All-Star.

But equally, if not more, memorable were his postseason failures.

He gave up the winning home run to Matt Stairs of the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the 2008 National League Championship Series. The Dodgers were eliminated a game later.

In Game 4 of the 2009 NLCS, Broxton walked Stairs on four pitches, starting a three-run rally for the Phillies. Again, the Dodgers were eliminated a game later.

Broxton was arguably at his best in the first half of the next season. He had a 0.83 earned-run average in through the first 33 games. But his season and career took a turn in a 48-pitch appearance in a loss to the New York Yankees on June 27 of that year. He wasn’t the same after that.

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-- Dylan Hernandez