Dodgers Decline Membership Possibility On Jimmy Nelson

The Dodgers introduced that they’ve declined their 2023 membership possibility on right-hander Jimmy Nelson. They might have retained him at a $1.1MM wage however will as a substitute let him return to the open market. There was no buyout connected to the choice.

Nelson spent a few years as a starter with the Brewers earlier than being derailed by accidents. He missed the 2018 and 2020 seasons solely and solely threw 22 innings in 2019, placing up a 6.95 ERA in that temporary window when he was wholesome.

Nonetheless, he appeared to get issues again on observe with the Dodgers in 2021. He made 28 appearances that season, throwing 29 innings with a 1.86 ERA. He walked 11.9% of batters confronted however struck out 37.9% of them, effectively above that yr’s 24% common for relievers. Sadly, that sturdy bounceback season was minimize brief when Nelson required Tommy John and flexor restore surgical procedure in August.

Regardless of the surgical procedure, the Dodgers re-signed him for the 2022 marketing campaign, figuring out he was unlikely to contribute that season. He obtained a league-minimum $700K wage whereas rehabbing, with the Dodgers in a position to set off the $1.1MM possibility for 2023. The league minimal wage is leaping to $720K subsequent yr, that means that $1.1MM determine is barely $380K above. For a staff that’s usually among the many greatest spenders within the league, that may be a small threat to tackle a pitcher who was so dominant when final wholesome. Nonetheless, the membership has opted to not take that likelihood.

There’s no monetary threat right here for the Dodgers, since there isn’t any buyout on the choice. Their solely threat is shedding Nelson to a rival staff now that he has the flexibility to pursue affords from all 29 different golf equipment. Although it’s additionally potential that he and the membership may reconnect on one other deal.