Dodgers righty Jimmy Nelson is slated to undergo lower back surgery tomorrow, the team announced (h/t J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group, via Twitter). Precise details of the procedure aren’t yet known, but it’s expected to sideline Nelson for all of the 2020 season, per MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick (Twitter link).
Nelson had signed on with the Los Angeles organization in hopes of launching a comeback. Once a high-quality young hurler, he had fallen prey to arm issues in recent years. The 30-year-old dealt with some back and groin issues during camp and evidently was not able to overcome them during the leaguewide shutdown.
The deal that Nelson inked with the Dodgers certainly contemplated both upside and downside scenarios. He was promised just $750K in the pact, but could’ve earned another $2MM in roster bonuses alone. His deal came with a floating-value club option that will now end up being priced at the minimum $2MM.
It seems unlikely that the Dodgers will end up picking up that option at that price, but perhaps that can’t be ruled out entirely. If not, he’ll end up going back onto the open market after rehabbing yet another significant injury. Odds are, Nelson will be looking at minor-league offers over the coming offseason.
and the Dodgers still have crazy SP depth. they are just loaded.
Sucks that he’s had such bad luck. Looked promising at one point.
Hahaha price and Jimmy boy buffet gone now. All good we have the rookies who are 10x better any ways. I’d much rather have my boy Gonsolin on the mound
This is a good example as to why consideration should be given to shutting down the Comments section.
Jesus Christ, let go of your pearls. Why does this offend you so much? He’s clearly a troll, but y’all need to stop acting like he threw someone’s daughter in the back fo a van. Turn off the comments, jeez.
It could even be seen as light satire. Take a breath. Also, Dodgers are cursed everyone knows that.
Nah. Stupid is offensive.
Control your emotions. We all believe in you.
I like the upside of Gonsolin but to say he’s 10x better than Price makes you sound like a big time homer. Even though he’s past his prime, Price is a solid pitcher who still offers mid-rotation production.
Even if the young starters are superior to the veterans, wouldn’t it be better to have both available?
A perfect case for the DH in the NL. He was cruising that year till that dive back into 1B in Chicago… Get back soon kid! Pulling for you.
Good luck Jimmy! Hopefully see you in Blue in 2021!
Sounds like a Chaim Bloom ‘buy low’ candidate for Boston in 2021. I’ve always liked Jimmy. Let’s hope he can fully recover and come back strong next season.
Still has an option for Lad for 2 mill
i mean 10 games in 3 years. very possible he’s bought out.
Jimmy’s down. Jimmy holds grudges.
Third person Jimmy. Never did get that date with Elaine?
Pitcher with back problems is a bad combination. He’ll be fortunate to get any offers.
depending on how his rehab goes and what he looks like when he recovers. I’m not sure I’d 100% rule out the Dodgers exercising that $2M option. Maybe due to the economic factors of the lost revenue this season it makes it that much less likely. BUT if they really like him, the could try to bring him back for less $ — or if they think that there’ll be actual competition for his services $2M isn’t a huge gamble for a team as well off financially as the Dodgers. And it wasn’t really all that long ago that he was a very good SP, and he’s still ‘young enough’ that he could conceivably make a ‘comeback’ if this surgery goes well.
They liked him enough as a buy low candidate to sign him this year. Even if bought out, I do agree there’s a reasonable chance he’s back in La next year. This feels somehow like Rich Hill in a way. Stick thru the injuries, get the reward on the back end. We’ll see
FRAUDman loves to go dumpster diving for the bullpen and it will cost them once again… I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Nelson do well in 2021 and light up the Dodgers in the playoffs.
He was like 9th of their SP depth chart. What are you talking about?
Lol bullpen arms are inconsistent so they may catch lightning in a bottle with any of these guys
Wish him the best but he’s never going to pitch again in the majors. Injury after injury and (future unnamed) injury.