Dodgers Reportedly Sign Bounce-Back Hurler Jimmy Nelson to 1-Year Deal

Former Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson went from Milwaukee's future ace to a reclamation project in just two years.

Nelson's injuries have blunted his effectiveness and knocked him out of Milwaukee's long term plans. The Los Angeles Dodgers decided to take a flier on Nelson Tuesday morning, as they signed him to a one-year deal with an option.

The Dodgers and Jimmy Nelson have agreed to a deal. It’s for one year plus a vesting mutual option. He’s guaranteed to make a little over $1 million in 2020 but could make over $3 million if healthy.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) January 7, 2020

Nelson had the best season of his career in 2017, as he posted a 3.49 ERA and finished ninth in Cy Young voting. A rotator cuff and labrum injury ended Nelson's 2018 season before it began, and limited him to just 10 ineffective starts in 2019.

A tall righty with a heavy sinkerball, it's easy to see why the Dodgers are taking a chance on signing Nelson.

Dodgers To Sign Jimmy Nelson https://t.co/yefYal3dEd pic.twitter.com/CNGwUesfsv
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) January 7, 2020

Nelson has basically been out of baseball for the last two seasons, so the Dodgers are getting a complete wild card here. However, if he's able to return to the form he tempted us with in Milwaukee, the Dodgers might have stolen a back of the rotation starter for just a few million dollars.