The Los Angeles Dodgers added some future bullpen depth to the roster on Wednesday before Opening Day, signing Jake Cousins to a one-year deal worth $950,000, as reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
The contract also includes incentives for appearances and the condition he finishes the season on the active roster.
Cousins was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain before the New York Yankees played their Opening Day game last year. He was later sent on a rehab assignment in June and made two appearances, but the right-hander later underwent Tommy John surgery on June 16 to end his season.
Per source: Jake Cousins’ deal is worth $950,000, with a chance at $50,000 more if he appears in at least five games this year and finishes on the active roster.
Dodgers taking a flier on some second-half bullpen help if Cousins comes back healthy from Tommy John surgery. https://t.co/qN39JQrMwy
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 25, 2026
Cousins has limited Major League experience, with just 88 appearances since 2021. The right-handed reliever had a nice season with the Yankees in 2024, with a 2.37 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 12.55 strikeouts per nine innings across 38 innings of work.
He became a free agent during the offseason after the Yankees non-tendered him.
It is unlikely he can pitch meaningful innings for the Dodgers this season, but he does have team control through 2028.
Based on the contract incentives, it seems that the Dodgers expect he will be able to show them something during rehab that would make them feel good about keeping him on the 40-man roster.
Ultimately, the goal of this deal is to see if how he recovers and if he can contribute next season. It is a textbook, low-risk, high-reward move.
To make room on their 40-man roster to sign Cousins, the Dodgers placed Bobby Miller on the 60-day IL with right shoulder soreness.
Dodgers injured relievers
Cousins joins a group of injured Dodgers relief pitchers that also includes Evan Phillips, Brock Stewart, Brusdar Graterol and Miller. The Dodgers are betting at least one or two of them are able to provide a boost to their bullpen late in the season, and if that happens, they could potentially avoid needing to trade for bullpen help at the deadline, or even trade a piece away to help replenish the farm system.
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