Dodgers agree to deal with right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson
by Rowan Kavner
The Dodgers agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson.
The former 2010 second-round pick of the Brewers spent the past six seasons with Milwaukee. Nelson underwent major shoulder surgery in September 2017, missed all of the 2018 season and pitched in 10 games in 2019 after being limited by an elbow issue.
Prior to shoulder surgery shutting him down, Nelson was 12–6 with a 3.49 ERA and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 2017. From 2013–17, Nelson had a 4.12 ERA in 109 appearances (104 starts). Primarily a sinker-ball pitcher, the 30-year-old also throws a four-seamer, changeup, slider and curve.
Upon his return in an injury-shortened 2019 season, Nelson saw a slight dip in velocity in his sinker (from 93.7 mph in 2017 to 93 mph in 2019) and four-seam fastball (from 94.1 mph in 2017 to 92.3 mph in 2019) while compiling a 6.95 ERA, though he did have a career-best 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Three of his 10 appearances last season came in starts.
The Dodgers have shown an ability in the past to help injured starters get back to top form, most notably with Hyun-Jin Ryu, who missed nearly all of the 2015 and 2016 seasons with elbow and shoulder injuries before bouncing back with a combined 2.71 ERA from 2017–19, including an All-Star 2019 season.
With Ryu (Toronto Blue Jays) and Rich Hill (Minnesota Twins) having signed elsewhere this offseason, the Dodgers have more spots up for grabs in the rotation. Nelson, who became a free agent when he was non-tendered by the Brewers in December, could compete for one of those spots or figure into the bullpen mix.
