Dodgers Re-Sign Nick Frasso to Minor League Deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers are taking another calculated gamble on upside. They’re quietly bringing back right-hander Nick Frasso on a minor league deal after non-tendering him in November.

It’s a low-risk reunion, and the question hangs in the air: can a once-electric arm, dulled by injuries and inconsistency, rediscover its form and become meaningful pitching depth for a World Series contender?

Dodgers Bet on Familiar Upside with Frasso Reunion

Frasso, 27, isn’t just another organizational arm. He’s a live-armed righty with a history of missing bats at every stop when healthy.

The Dodgers stash pitchers like him, hoping the pieces eventually click. By re-signing him to a minor league deal, they keep a potentially valuable asset without using a 40-man roster spot.

Originally a fourth-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020, Frasso joined Los Angeles in an August 2022 trade. He immediately intrigued the Dodgers’ development staff with his stuff and strike-throwing potential.

From Blue Jays Prospect to Dodgers Project

Frasso’s journey has zigzagged. After joining the Dodgers, he put himself on the radar with a strong 2023 season that reminded everyone why scouts have always been interested.

In 2023, he spent most of the year in Double-A before a late-year promotion to Triple-A. He finished with:

  • 3.77 ERA over 93 innings
  • 26.8% strikeout rate
  • Career-best indicators that hinted at mid-rotation or high-leverage relief potential
  • Injuries Derail a Promising Climb

    Just as Frasso seemed poised to take the next step, his career hit another familiar roadblock: health. He’s long fought his body as much as opposing hitters, and 2023 turned into another chapter in that story.

    In November 2023, Frasso underwent labrum surgery and a hip clean-up procedure. The timing and severity of those operations basically wiped out his entire 2024 season, stalling his momentum at a crucial point.

    A History of Physical Setbacks

    The shoulder and hip issues weren’t his first major detours. In 2021, Frasso had an internal brace procedure to repair a partially torn UCL—a less invasive alternative to Tommy John surgery, but still a big deal.

    By the end of the 2025 season, he landed on the Dodgers’ major league 60-day injured list with an undisclosed injury. Durability questions just keep following him around.

    2025 Struggles Show Risk — and a Path Forward

    Frasso returned to action in 2025 at Triple-A. The flashes of his old stuff were there, but the consistency and command weren’t.

    Over 77 innings at Triple-A in 2025, he posted:

  • 5.49 ERA
  • Decline in strikeout rate
  • Increase in walk rate
  • Most concerning, he gave up 10 home runs after never allowing more than four in any previous season. Hitters squared him up more often, with his average exit velocity allowed rising to 88.3 mph.

    Career Numbers Still Hint at Potential

    Even after a rough 2025, Frasso’s minor league résumé still intrigues as low-cost depth. Across 229 career innings in the minors, he owns:

  • 3.81 ERA
  • 26.5% strikeout rate
  • 0.6 home runs per nine innings
  • When he’s right, he misses bats and keeps the ball in the park—traits teams are always looking for.

    Why the Dodgers Are Keeping the Door Open

    For the Dodgers, bringing Frasso back on a minor league deal is classic low-risk, moderate-reward. There’s no promise he’ll return to form, but if he does, Los Angeles keeps control of an arm who might help in a few different roles.

    Frasso’s arsenal still gives hope. He’s got:

  • A plus-grade fastball that can overpower hitters when his mechanics and health line up
  • A plus changeup that gives him a real off-speed weapon
  • Enough of a secondary mix to profile as a starter or multi-inning reliever—if he finds his command again
  • Roster Flexibility and Long-Term Value

    Frasso gives the Dodgers some real flexibility. He’s got two days of major league service time and still holds one minor league option year.

    That means Los Angeles can move him between Triple-A and the majors if he grabs another 40-man roster spot. Not every pitcher in their system can offer that.

    He still counts as a prospect within the Dodgers organization, so despite all the injuries and bumps in the road, there’s still time left for him to figure things out.

     
    Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers Re-Sign Nick Frasso To Minor League Deal

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