FA signing Jimmy Nelson out for year after back surgery + 2020 schedule is out

Photo: Stacie Wheeler

Remember 30 years ago during the off-season when the Dodgers signed Jimmy Nelson as rotation/bullpen depth? Well, now he’s done for the year after lower back surgery before ever throwing a pitch.

“It’s been something that’s been lingering for quite some time,” manager Dave Roberts said. “With him we just couldn’t get him on track. Physically there were days that he felt well, but then the back, the arm, different things kept popping up. So we just couldn’t get any traction with him. I know he was frustrated throughout the spring and after quarantining and getting some time off he just never really came around.”

Nelson signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract that had a ton of incentives that he’ll obviously no longer meet. It also had a $500k buyout or a $2 million option for 2021, and I’m assuming the former option will be taken. Thus, his loss is not a huge financial albatross to the Dodgers, but it is disappointing as Nelson in relief seemed like it could work, and it’s not like the Dodgers relief corps is beyond need for reinforcements or anything.

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Also, the schedule was released today, and the Dodgers will open against, who else, the Giants.

Perhaps worthy of your interest is that the Dodgers will take their first road trip down to Houston to play the Astros.

That should be fun/messy.

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There’s also some benefit to empty stadiums at least, mainly getting to hear what they’re saying.

About Chad Moriyama

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"A highly rational Internet troll." - Los Angeles Times