The physical was the last step before the two sides officially agreed on a three-year, $45 million pact for the 34-year-old right hander. The first report on the physical came from Asahi Degital of Japan and the report says that the Dodgers are backing off of the deal after seeing the results of the physical.
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While Iwakuma’s current offer is likely off the table, there is the chance the Dodgers still bring him on at a shorter term contract, or he could opt to return to free agency completely. The Dodgers are in need of starting pitching after losing Zack Greinke to the Diamondbacks and Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that a trade for Jose Fernandez could be a potential option, while free agents like Mike Leake or Scott Kazmir could be targets. Iwakuma had recently passed a physical issued to him by his former club, the Seattle Mariners. The Dodgers reportedly have been linked to the Miami Marlins’ Jose Fernandez among other young pitchers.
Iwaukuma, who will turn 35 in April, appeared in a career-low 20 games in 2015 due to various injuries, including a finger injury which caused him to miss most of spring training and a lat injury. However a person familiar with the negotiations said that the Dodgers haven’t backed out.
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Overall, Iwakuma was 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.06 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 129 2/3 innings. In four major-league seasons he is 47-25 with a 3.17 ERA.
