Dodgers’ non-roster invitees total 18 with addition of Mark Lowe

Come one, come all. It’s a happening, a regular baseball-palooza.

The Dodgers’ roster may have appeared pretty set since the addition of Zack Greinke, but that doesn’t mean General Manager Ned Colletti hasn’t stayed busy this off-season signing his annual group of non-roster long shots.

Friday he signed reliever Mark Lowe to a non-roster invite, which gives him 18 with camp set to open for pitcher and catchers on Tuesday.

Lowe makes six relief pitchers alone who will be in camp, battling to find a spot in a bullpen with precious few openings. Or any.

The bullpen is already stacked with Brandon League, Kenley Jansen, Ronald Belisario, J.P. Howell and Matt Guerrier expected to hold down five spots. There is the likelihood of at least one of those three extra starters –- Ted Lilly, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang –- getting moved to relief. Plus there are holdovers Javy Guerra, Shawn Tolleson and Paco Rodriguez. And the Dodgers are hoping Scott Elbert will be able to rejoin the team shortly after the season starts as he recovers from a second minor elbow surgery.

Not exactly an open field for would-be L.A. relievers. Last year the team opened the season with seven relievers.

Lowe, 29, is a hard-throwing right-hander who spent the past two-plus seasons with the Rangers. Last year he went 0-2 with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 36 games. He missed all of July with a rib strain and struggled after he returned.

He joins non-roster pitching invites Juan Abreu, Kelvin De La Cruz, Greg Infante, Peter Moylan and Matt Palmer. All but De La Cruz are right-handed.

And then there are four catchers (Eliezer Alfonzo, Wilkin Castillo, Ramon Castro, Jesus Flores), six infielders (Alfredo Amezaga, Brian Barden, Nick Evans, Omar Luna, Ozzie Martinez, Dallas McPherson) and two outfielders (Tony Gwynn Jr., Jeremy Moore).

Injuries happen, even during the spring, so depth is always welcomed. Last year, with several more roster spots open, the Dodgers had 20 non-roster invitees. Included in that group were team mainstays Luis Cruz and Jamey Wright.

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