The Los Angeles Dodgers made an upside play on Jimmy Nelson prior to the 2020 season, which didn’t pan out as he suffered a back injury during Spring Training that ultimately required season-ending surgery.
The Dodgers declined their team option on Nelson, but he re-signed with L.A. for the 2021 season shortly after. Nelson again struggled to remain healthy, but was effective when on the mound, going 1-2 with a 1.86 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 28 games (one start).
Nelson underwent Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair last August, which makes it unlikely he will pitch this year. The Dodgers nevertheless re-signed the 33-year-old to a one-year contract with a team option for the 2023 season.
Nelson is hoping to defy odds and return to a Major League mound in September, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“There’s unfinished business for me, personally.”
Shortly after Nelson’s contract was announced, the Dodgers transferred him to the 60-day injured list in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Danny Duffy.
Nelson’s deal is identical to the contract the Dodgers signed Tommy Kahnle to in December 2020 when he was on the mend from Tommy John surgery.
Kahnle missed all of 2021 and only appeared in four games this season before going on the 10-day IL due to a bone bruise in his right elbow that is some residual effects of undergoing the operation.
Kahnle was transferred to the 60-day IL as the corresponding roster move to adding Kevin Pillar to the 40-man roster last month.
Nelson team option details
Nelson’s team option for the 2023 season reportedly is worth $1.1 million, and if the Dodgers pick it up, he will have a chance to earn more through performance bonuses.
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