Dave Roberts Confirms 2 More Pitchers Will Start 2023 Season on Injured List
On Thursday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that RHPs Daniel Hudson and Jimmy Nelson would be opening the 2023 season in the injured list. While we knew Hudson was likely to open the season on the IL, as he's still working his way back from his torn ACL and ankle tendinitis, the Nelson news is, well, new.
Nelson has struggled mightily this spring, to the tune of a 15.43 ERA in 2.1 innings pitched. He's walked an incredible 11 batters, while striking out none. To be fair, Nelson is returning from Tommy John surgery, and last pitched in July of 2021. So, it's expected that he'd come in struggling.
Since he's clearly not ready to pitch at the major league level, and since he's on a major league contract, the Dodgers only options were to put him on the IL or cut him. So, Roberts made the decision to start his season on the injured list, where he can continue to work his way back up to a major league level.
It's unclear if he's going to start on the 15-day IL or 60-day IL. However, my guess would be he starts on the 15-day, clearly isn't ready to go, and ends up moving to the 60-day where he'll hopefully provide some depth later in the season.
As for Hudson, he'll just be on the 15-day IL, and will hopefully be able to return to the bullpen by the end up April — they're going to need the help.
