Dodgers place Jimmy Nelson on injured list with right elbow inflammation

The only constant on the Dodgers pitching staff in 2021 is change. The latest alteration comes in the form of right-hander Jimmy Nelson, one of the best relievers in the bullpen this year, placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.

Nelson has a 1.86 ERA and 1.89 FIP in 28 games this season, with 44 strikeouts (a 37.9-percent strikeout rate) and 13 walks in 29 innings.

This is the third stint on the injured list this season for Nelson, who missed 18 games with right forearm inflammation in May and June. He also missed 14 games in July with a left lumbar strain in his back. Since returning from that second IL stint, Nelson allowed one unearned run in two innings, with three strikeouts. He last pitched on Friday.

Nelson missed all of 2018 and most of 2019 with the Brewers after shoulder surgery, and after signing with the Dodgers missed 2020 after back surgery. Since the start of 2017, Nelson has pitched 51 total innings.

With Nelson sidelined, the Dodgers recalled Darien Núñez from Triple-A Oklahoma City, the third stint in the majors for the 28-year-old left-hander. Núñez has allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 7⅓ innings with the Dodgers this season, with eight strikeouts and two walks.

Núñez had a 2.62 ERA in 18 games in Triple-A, with 52 strikeouts and a 38.8-percent strikeout rate in 35⅓ innings. He last pitched on Monday, throwing 39 pitches in 1⅔ innings at Round Rock, allowing one run.

The Dodgers earlier on Wednesday made the Cole Hamels signing official, adding the 37-year-old left-hander for the remainder of the 2021 season. Yefry Ramírez was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.