Dodgers add former UK pitcher Joe Blanton to their bullpen

Joe Blanton is returning to the Dodgers, this time as a reliever.

Blanton, now 35, agreed to a one-year, $4-million contract to be a long reliever with the Dodgers.

The former Franklin-Simpson and University of Kentucky star pitched for the Dodgers in 2012, when they acquired him in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. Blanton made 10 starts for them that season and was 2-4 with a 4.99 earned-run average.

He pitched the next season with the Angels and went 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA.

Blanton retired from baseball early in the 2014 season, but came back last year as a reliever with the Kansas City Royals. He was designated for assignment by the Royals in July, then traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Blanton was 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA in 21 relief appearances for the Pirates.

For the entire season, he posted a 7-2 record with a 2.84 ERA in 76 innings.

Blanton limited right-handed hitters to a .203 average last season, which the Dodgers believe will be a plus, considering how many left-handers they have in their starting rotation.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Dodgers add former UK pitcher Joe Blanton to their bullpen."