LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers began filling staff openings on Friday by promoting Brandon Gomes to director of player development and confirming the addition of longtime Rays trainer Ron Porterfield as director of player health.
Gomes, 33, joined the Dodgers last year as pitching coordinator, performance, after a five-year Major League pitching career with Tampa Bay, where he worked for current Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. He pitched in 19 games for the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate in 2016 before being released. Gomes replaces Gabe Kapler, who was hired to manage the Phillies.
Gomes is a Massachusetts native who graduated from Tulane with a double major in finance and legal studies. The Padres selected him in the 17th round of the 2007 Draft and dealt him in '10 to the Rays, where he went 11-12 with a 4.20 ERA from '11-15.
Porterfield, 52, assumes a new position overseeing the athletic training and rehab staffs on the Major League and Minor League levels. He will be based at the team's Camelback Ranch-Glendale training complex after serving 21 years with the Rays, where he also worked for Friedman.
Porterfield was Tampa Bay's head athletic trainer the past 12 seasons after three years as assistant trainer. He also spent eight years in the Houston organization with Dodgers executive Gerry Hunsicker, who worked with Porterfield and Friedman in Tampa Bay.