Dodgers put stamp on Nelson comeback
MESA, ARIZ. » Jimmy Nelson has made it back.
Sidetracked by a major shoulder injury in 2017, an elbow injury that followed and back surgery that sidelined him for the 2020 season, Nelson signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers last winter. On Thursday, the Dodgers officially added him to their roster.
“Jimmy’s done everything he can to break with us this year,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the move became official. “He fits a lot of roles for us — leverage, length, starter, reliever. He can do a lot of different things and he’s done everything he can for us.”
Nelson has been one of the Dodgers’ better pitchers this spring. He allowed just one unearned run and four hits in seven innings of Cactus League play. Roberts said he also pitched well in a two- or three-inning outing in a “B” game on Thursday.
Nelson is unlikely to be in the starting rotation and probably will join veteran starter David Price in pitching out of the bullpen in some kind of multi-inning role. Nelson, 31, has only pitched out of the bullpen a handful of times in his career, most of them in 2019 after he returned from the shoulder and elbow injuries.
Given his injury history, the Dodgers might have to handle Nelson carefully in a relief role, giving him time to recover between outings.
“I think that just understanding what he’s been through the last few years needs to be taken into consideration — regardless of the role. And Jimmy understands that,” Roberts said earlier in camp. “He just wants to be on the club, pitch meaningful innings. And at that point in time, it’s a conversation with us, him, the training staff to give him the best chance to stay on the field and be productive.”
Nelson said he has had no issues since starting his throwing program during the offseason and sees no reason to have any limitations on his potential role.
“I can do anything. I’ll do any role they want me to do,” he said. “I don’t think it will be an issue physically. I just want to pitch and help us win. Whatever that role is, I’m open to anything.”
By making the team, Nelson’s contract calls for a $1.25 million salary with bonuses that could take it over $3 million. In order to clear a 40-man roster spot for Nelson, right-hander Tommy Kahnle was moved to the 60-day injured list. Kahnle is recovering from Tommy John surgery last August and is not expected to pitch in 2021.
Higher Price
During his “B” game start earlier this week, Roberts said Price’s velocity was 91-93 mph. That would represent a slight improvement as spring training has progressed and maybe even over his 2019 average (91.9 mph).
With Price having sat out the 2020 season, Roberts said the Dodgers are still learning what to expect from the 35-year-old left-hander.
“With David, we’re still trying to learn what we have as far as taking a year off,” Roberts said this week. “But the last couple years he’s pitched right around there so I would expect the same in 2021.”
Price is likely to open the season in the Dodgers’ bullpen, pitching in a multi-inning role of some kind. Starters moving to the bullpen often gain velocity because they don’t have to worry about maintaining it as long. Roberts said that’s another unknown with Price.
“We don’t know yet,” Roberts said. “We had that sample in ’18 and it did. But that was ’18 so I don’t know yet. But I do know his command, the cutter, the curveball, the change make everything play up, too.”
Price made just one relief appearance during the Boston Red Sox’s postseason run to the World Series championship – a 13-pitch outing against the Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series. His fastball averaged 94.5 mph in that game, 1 mph faster than his average that season.
Rios’ return
Roberts said Edwin Rios has been dealing with “a little bit of a cramp, mild hamstring-type thing” and has been limited this week. Roberts said he expects Rios to play in Friday’s Cactus League game against the Oakland A’s.
Rios has gone just 4 for 22 (.182) in Cactus League games and has taken atbats in “B” games as well.
“I think right now he’s not dialed in which is to be expected with a lot of guys,” Roberts said of Rios last week, acknowledging that a player with a power swing like Rios has can taken longer to get things in order during spring training.
“Yeah, I think so. I think he’s got longer levels, more built for power. But he still understands if you’re not going to play every day you’ve got to conduct good at-bats which I think Eddie’s still done . ... We’re not too concerned about Rios.”