Before the Los Angeles Dodgers added Nick Frasso to the 40-man roster, the right-hander exercised his upward mobility clause (assignment clause), according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Frasso was a surprise addition to the 40-man roster, given these moves typically aren’t made unless the player is being called up. However, Frasso exercising his assignment clause forced the Dodgers’ hand to make a decision.
Only some players have these clauses built into their contracts, so it’s not an option for all. However, Frasso and the Dodgers added the upward mobility clause into his contract after they re-signed him as a Minor League free agent this past offseason.
Nick Frasso exercised his upward mobility clause, which is why the Dodgers added him to the 40-man roster, source said. https://t.co/CQRhtieroT
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 6, 2026
The clause allows a player to potentially change teams or be promoted within their current organization if they are not currently on the 40-man roster or active roster, depending on the terms of the deal.
When an assignment clause is negotiated into a contract, the two sides agree on a specific date on which the player can activate it, if he chooses to. If the player is not on the 40-man or active roster by the specific date, they can use the clause to allow other teams to express interest in acquiring them.
Opposing teams have 24 hours to express interest in the player, and the current team then has 48 hours to either trade the player to one of those teams, allow him to sign with one of them, or add him to their own roster.
If no team expresses interest, the player can remain off the roster, and essentially nothing else happens from that point on unless there is another clause in their contract down the line.
This differs from an opt-out clause, which is mainly signed by veterans and states that if they are not on the roster by a specific date, they can elect to become a free agent.
Nick Frasso in Oklahoma City
Frasso has spent the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, where he has pitched to a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings. However, Frasso has also struck out 24 hitters in those innings.
Frasso was previously one of the higher-regarded pitching prospects in the Dodgers organization, but he underwent right shoulder surgery and missed the entire 2024 season.
He has struggled to regain form since then and posted a 5.49 ERA over 77 innings last season for the Comets.
Frasso has moved into the bullpen full-time, though, and his stuff has played up more, providing some intriguing potential. His main issue at the moment is his walk rate, which is 16.1%.
If Frasso can get his control to a reasonable point, he could end up being a solid reliever in the Majors.
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