Jimmy

Nelson

It’s the third time this season that Nelson has started his minor league rehab assignment — the other two tries getting shut down due to setbacks that he experienced along the way. He has been missed the entire season thus far due to inflammation in his pitching elbow.

Nelson made one relief appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City back in April before being shut down from throwing. The righty is working his way back from right elbow inflammation and might be an option for the Dodgers in a middle relief role next month, if he can avoid any setbacks.

Nelson has struggled to return from Tommy John surgery that he underwent back in August, 2021 and was recently shut down after a setback with his right elbow. It seems unlikely that he’ll return during the first half of the regular season.

It’s a bit unclear what exactly led to the latest setback for Nelson, but it doesn’t sound like he’s going to be part of the Dodgers’ relief mix for awhile. He was shut down from throwing earlier this month and has been dealing with right elbow inflammation dating back to spring training.

Nelson has been out since late March due to right elbow inflammation and will likely require a couple rehab tune-up appearances before being ready for his season debut.

Nelson struggled this spring in a handful of Cactus League relief appearances, so the Dodgers want to give him some extra time to continue working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Roberts added that Nelson isn’t dealing with any potential setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, but he’s going to need some extra-time to get back up to speed. He’s struggled this spring in a handful of Cactus League relief appearances.

It’s quickly become clear that Nelson, who is making his way back from Tommy John surgery, won’t be ready to help the Dodgers initially. In five appearances this spring, he’s walked 11 and struck out none in 2 1/3 innings.

The agreement, which was reported on Monday, is now official. Nelson missed the 2022 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but he was excellent when healthy in 2021 and gives the Dodgers an interesting arm to throw into their bullpen mix.

Nelson can earn up to $4 million. The Dodgers declined a $1.1 million option (plus incentives) to retain his services in November, but perhaps his outlook has improved some since. The veteran right-hander hasn’t pitched in games since undergoing Tommy John surgery back in August of 2021. The Dodgers presumably will keep him in the bullpen. He had a 1.86 ERA in 29 innings there before getting hurt two years ago.