The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the signings of Jimmy Nelson, David Peralta and Alex Reyes to respective one-year contracts. The deals were finalized on the second day of pitchers and catchers being in camp at Camelback Ranch for 2023 Spring Training.
Nelson returns to the Dodgers on a $1.2 million salary and months after his $1.1 million team option for 2023 was declined. His deal is said to include incentives that could bring its total value to $4 million.
Although Nelson re-signed with the Dodgers for a slight increase in guaranteed salary this season, had the team option been exercised, the right-hander was going to be in position to potentially earn as much as $7 million.
While this is now the fourth contract Nelson has signed with the Dodgers, his tenure has largely been marred by being unable to remain healthy.
Nelson earned a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster in 2021 but only appeared in 28 games (one start). He was effective when on the mound, going 1-2 with a 1.86 ERA and 44 strikeouts.
Injuries prevented Nelson from pitching for the Dodgers in 2020 and 2022.
Reyes also signed with the Dodgers for $1.1 million as he looks to return from right shoulder trouble. He missed all of last year due surgery and is looking to rebound from being taken out of the closer role during the second half of the 2021 season while with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Reyes is a former top prospect and All-Star who could ultimately prove to be a valued addition to the Dodgers bullpen if able to get healthy. The 28-year-old is expected to miss at least the first two months of the 2023 season while recovering from shoulder surgery.
Reyes’ last time pitching was against the Dodgers in the 2021 National League Wild Card Game, when he surrendered the walk-off home run to Chris Taylor.
The Dodgers’ longstanding interest in Peralta finally amounted to adding the veteran outfielder. He’s poised to earn $6.5 million this season and likely serve as a platoon in left field.
Peralta hit a combined .251/.316/.415 with 30 doubles, 12 home runs and 59 RBI over 134 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays last season.
Peralta led the Majors with eight triples in 2021, but some of his offensive statistics have been on the decline since posting an .868 on-base plus slugging percentage in 2018. However, Peralta did finish with a 104 wRC+ last season, and has exceeded 100 in five of the last six years.
The 35-year-old won a Silver Slugger Award in 2018 and Gold Glove the following season.
Dodgers roster moves
In order to finalize the signings of Nelson, Peralta and Reyes, the Dodgers placed Walker Buehler, J.P. Feyereisen and Blake Treinen on the 60-day injured list to create room on their 40-man roster.
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