The Los Angeles Dodgers signed right-hander Jake Cousins to a deal a day before the 2026 season started for the team.
The Dodgers are getting ready to make their MLB season debut on Thursday, but on Wednesday, the organization added Cousins on a major league contract.
Cousins, according to The Athletic’s Fadian Ardaya, is set to make a guaranteed $905,000 along with $50,000 in incentives if he makes five appearances and finishes on the active roster.
The move to add Cousins comes as Bobby Miller, the young fireballer, will start the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list.
Miller did not pitch during Spring Training due to a shoulder issue, and it seems he will need time before he can truly ramp up.
The righty was a starter who was set to enter the bullpen, where his command issues can be hidden better, and his stuff will be allowed to shine.
Cousins is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in June 2025, which should keep him out for most, if not all, of the 2026 season, but he is still team-controlled through 2028.
Who is Jake Cousins?
Cousins has spent four years in the major leagues, playing for the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees. Ironically enough, he is the cousin of NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins, suggesting that strong, powerful arms run in the family.
He has pitched 90.2 innings in the major leagues, striking out 32% of hitters and profiling as a ground baller, with 47% of batted balls staying low to the ground.
In modern MLB, teams try to loft the ball in the air when hitting and want pitchers to keep the ball on the ground to limit home run damage, especially if the squad has a good defensive infield.
Despite a promising profile of stuff and contact, Cousins has suffered multiple injuries during his career — shoulder inflammation, a pec strain, a biceps strain, and right elbow effusion.
He has never pitched more than 38 innings at the major league level due to these arm issues, likely the reason he has bounced around MLB.
The Dodgers, either for the 2027 or the postseason, are aiming to have Cousins’ recovery under their system and keep him on the 40-man roster.
Eventually, he will hit the 60-day IL once the team wants to add another player to the 40-man.
