Former Alabama pitcher, Jimmy Nelson, has been named to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ opening day 40-man roster. The defending World Series champions made the move Thursday following the decision to place fellow-reliever Tommy Kahnle on the 60-day injured list while he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Nelson was drafted in 2010 in the second round by the Milwaukee Brewers following his junior year in Tuscaloosa where he went 9-3 with a 4.01 ERA. He played for the Brewers up until 2020 when he signed with the Dodgers. Nelson would suffer a lower back injury in July of 2020 and would miss the entire season.

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Nelson’s new contract pays him $1.25 million while in the major leagues and $150,000 while in the minors. Last year, Nelson was among 11 major leaguers whose salaries were less than the $286,500 advance they received when the season's start was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The 31-year-old reliever has thrown seven innings in four spring training appearances this spring allowing one unearned run on four hits. The Dodgers are hoping that Nelson can continue to have those kinds of outings as he would become one of the premiere arms in that bullpen. After adding Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer in the offseason, the Dodger pitching staff is arguably the best in the major leagues and it’s only getting better.

Nelson’s Dodgers have also been in talks with free-agent reliever, and Tuscaloosa native, David Robertson in hopes of bringing him onto the pitching staff for the upcoming season.

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