In a move that’s sparking conversations among baseball fans, the Dodgers have quietly re-signed Nick Frasso to a minor league deal—a decision that’s raising eyebrows and questions alike. But here’s where it gets interesting: Frasso, a 27-year-old right-hander with a promising yet injury-plagued career, was non-tendered by the team just last November. Now, he’s back, and the baseball world is buzzing. Why? Because Frasso’s journey is a rollercoaster of potential and setbacks, making this re-signing a calculated gamble for the Dodgers.
Originally a fourth-round pick by the Blue Jays in 2020, Frasso has yet to make his MLB debut. After being traded to the Dodgers in August 2022, he spent most of 2023 in Double-A before a late-season promotion to Triple-A. That year, he showcased his talent with a 3.77 ERA over 93 innings, striking out 26.8% of batters and allowing a minuscule 0.38 home runs per nine innings. His performance earned him a spot on the 40-man roster and the title of the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect heading into 2024. But here’s the part most people miss: Just as his star seemed to be rising, Frasso underwent labrum surgery on his shoulder and a hip clean-up procedure in November 2023, sidelining him for the entire 2024 season.
His return to Triple-A in 2025 was less than stellar. Over 77 innings, Frasso posted a 5.49 ERA, with his strikeout rate dropping to 19.7% and his walk rate climbing to 12.1%. Alarmingly, he surrendered 10 home runs—a stark contrast to his previous seasons. His average exit velocity allowed also jumped from 85.0 mph in 2023 to 88.3 mph in 2025. Injuries have been a recurring theme in Frasso’s career; before his 2024 surgeries, he underwent an internal brace procedure in 2021 for a partially torn UCL. He ended 2025 on the 60-day injured list with an undisclosed issue, leading the Dodgers to non-tender him in November.
But here’s the controversial part: Is this re-signing a smart investment or a desperate move? Frasso’s pedigree and past performance suggest he could still be a valuable asset. His four-seam fastball averaged 94.6 mph in 2025, and both his fastball and changeup have been graded as plus pitches. With just two days of big-league service time and one option year remaining, he’s a low-cost, high-upside depth option. However, his recent struggles and injury history raise questions about his durability and consistency. Can he bounce back to his 2023 form, or is this the beginning of the end for his MLB aspirations?
This move by the Dodgers is a bold bet on Frasso’s potential, but it’s also a reminder of the fine line between promise and peril in baseball. What do you think? Is this a smart move by the Dodgers, or are they setting themselves up for disappointment? Let us know in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
