The Los Angeles Dodgers declined their option on Jimmy Nelson for the 2023 season, which immediately makes him a free agent. They had until Thursday afternoon to make an official decision on Nelson’s $1.1 million option.
Nelson signed a one-year contract that paid him $700,000 despite the expectation he would miss the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair in August of 2021. The structure of the contract, which included the club option, was similar to the one Tommy Kahnle signed in December 2020 when he was on the mend from Tommy John.
After signing the deal, the Dodgers transferred Nelson to the 60-day injured list.
Nelson’s option for the 2023 season would have been worth a $1.1 million base with an extra $2 million in performance bonuses for relief appearances of fewer than 3.1 innings and up to an additional $4 million for relief appearances and starts of more than 3.1 innings.
Nelson was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 39th round of the 2007 MLB Draft from Niceville High School in Florida, but opted to attend the University of Alabama, where he increased his stock and became the second-round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010.
Nelson made his debut in 2013, and during the 2017 season, he finished ninth in National League Cy Young Award voting. However, he was then non-tendered after the 2019 season after being limited to just 10 games because of the recovery process from a shoulder injury suffered during the 2018 campaign.
Nelson joined the Dodgers following his release, but pitched sparingly in his first Spring Training with the team. He did not pitch in 2020 after undergoing back surgery in June.
L.A. re-signed Nelson for the 2021 season and he made the Opening Day roster, but he again struggled to remain healthy. However, when he was on the mound, Nelson was one of the team’s most effective relievers, going 1-2 with a 1.86 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 28 games and one start.
Dodgers decline club option on Hanser Alberto
The Dodgers also declined their club option on Hanser Alberto that would have paid him $2 million. Alberto received a $250,000 buyout and also became a free agent.
The 30-year-old was a beloved member in the clubhouse and received praise from multiple players for the energy he provided.
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