Dodgers Rumors: RHP Jimmy Nelson is Reportedly Back with LA
The Dodgers signed Jimmy Nelson before the 2020 season, but he didn’t pitch that year because of a back injury just before the shortened season began. He re-signed with Los Angeles in 2021 and pitched extremely well, posting a 1.86 ERA in 28 games. Unfortunately, those 28 games were interrupted by trips to the injured list for a forearm issue and a back issue, and his season was ultimately cut short by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair.
The Dodgers brought Nelson back on a one-year deal for 2022 with a team option for 2023, knowing he was unlikely to pitch at all last year. He didn’t, and then they declined his option after the season.
It seemed like Nelson’s time in Los Angeles was done, but apparently it’s not.
Nelson still isn’t showing up on LA’s transaction list. It could be that they’ve been waiting for the official start of spring training, when they can place Blake Treinen, Walker Buehler, and/or JP Feyereisen on the 60-day injured list to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.
Whatever it is, it looks like Nelson will be with Los Angeles this year, more than a year and a half removed from his Tommy John surgery. We’ll have to wait for more details before we know if the team expects him to be ready to start the season, but Nelson has been so good in his career when he’s been healthy, it’s an understandable and exciting bet the Dodgers are making.
UPDATE
It’s a major league deal with upwards of $5.2 million for Nelson.
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