The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Jimmy Nelson to a one-year contract with a team option for the 2023 season. Nelson had already been in camp at Camelback Ranch prior to his deal being made official on Thursday.
His deal is identical to the contract the Dodgers signed Tommy Kahnle to in December 2020 as he was on the mend from Tommy John surgery. Nelson underwent Tommy John and a flexor tendon repair last August, and is expected to miss the entire 2022 season.
Nelson first joined the Dodgers after the 2019 season. He had been non-tendered by the Milwaukee Brewers after being limited to just 10 games (three starts) because of the recovery process from a shoulder injury suffered during the 2018 campaign, and subsequent elbow trouble that surfaced upon getting activated.
Nelson was limited in his first Spring Training with the Dodgers and didn’t appear in a Cactus League game. He was then shut down at the end of February 2020 after suffering a setback following a bullpen session.
There was some initial progress in recovering but that June the Dodgers announced he required season-ending back surgery. L.A. then declined their team option on Nelson, but he re-signed shortly after.
Nelson made the 2021 Dodgers Opening Day roster, but again struggled to remain healthy. He was nevertheless was effective when on the mound, going 1-2 with a 1.86 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 28 games (one start).
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has regularly praised Nelson for his versatility and particularly highlighted the success he found as a multi-inning relief pitcher.
The Dodgers placed Dustin May to the 60-day injured list in order to create a spot on their 40-man roster for Nelson. May isn’t expected to return from his own Tommy John surgery until after the All-Star break, and Nelson will likely go on the 60-day IL at some point as well.
Nelson formed bond with Price
As Nelson looked to find a rhythm out of the bullpen, he formed a strong friendship with David Price, who was making a similar transition from being a starting pitcher.
“It definitely helps to be able to go through it with somebody else that’s kind of experiencing and kind of going through the same stuff that I am,” Price said last year. “Me and Jimmy are pretty different in a lot of ways, and I think that’s kind of why we gel so well. He’s like my therapy animal.
“Like my therapy pet. Like the therapy dogs that you see at the hospital. They make everybody feel good, and Jimmy is a guy that makes me laugh. The stuff that he says, he needs to be mic’d up for ‘[Backstage] Dodgers.’ He has got so many one-liners.
“Every team needs a guy like Jimmy, just to lighten the mood. He’s been a lot of fun to be around and a pleasure to hang out with. I look forward to laughing at Jimmy whenever I go back in the clubhouse.”
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