The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Tommy Kahnle on the 60-day injured list to clear a spot for Jimmy Nelson on the 40-man roster.
Kahnle was signed to a two-year contract this past offseason, although he is not expected to pitch in 2021 as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander underwent the procedure last August and the recovery time for pitchers is typically 12-15 months. However, Kahnle previously expressed hope to overcome the odds and contribute this season.
Kahnle’s contract is worth a reported $4.25 million and includes incentives based on games pitched. He can earn $250,000 for appearing in 60 games and $500,000 for 70 appearances in 2022.
Kahnle only appeared in one game for the New York Yankees in 2020 due to the elbow injury, but was solid for them in 2019. In 72 appearances, Kahnle pitched to a 3.67 ERA, 3.33 FIP and 1.06 WHIP with 88 strikeouts and 20 walks in 61.1 innings.
As for Nelson, he returned to the Dodgers on a Minor League contract over the offseason after missing all of 2020 with a back injury that required surgery. He has fared well in Cactus League play, tossing seven innings with nine strikeouts across four appearances.
With Nelson being added to the 40-man roster, it bodes well for his chances of making the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. He will likely receive opportunities as both a starter and reliever, similar to the hybrid role Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May are expected to fill this season.
Beyond Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer and Walker Buehler, the Dodgers have not finalized the rest of their Opening Day starting rotation. The last two spots will likely go to some combination of David Price, Julio Urias, Gonsolin, May and Nelson.
Nelson feeling his ‘best’ since 2017 breakout season with Brewers
Nelson doesn’t just feel healthy this spring, he believes he is physically at his best since his breakout 2017 season with the Milwaukee Brewers. “Coming into camp being healthy, feeling the best I’ve felt since 2017, it’s fun,” Nelson recently said.
“It’s fun to be out there agin, it’s fun to be around the guys in the clubhouse and just be on the field, whether it’s doing drills or bullpens.
“When you’re not grinding through injuries or in pain, you can actually enjoy the game. It’s been a long time, so I’m just trying to enjoy it every day.”
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