A former Philadelphia Phillies reliever figures to garner interest around Major League Baseball this offseason following an impressive 2025 campaign overseas in Japan.
Nick Nelson put together a solid year for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). In 31 outings, the veteran right-hander pitched to a 2-1 record with a 1.55 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP across 46 1/3 innings. He allowed just eight runs and struck out 41 batters in the process.
This was Nelson’s first year pitching in Japan after he signed a one-year deal worth $1 million to take his talents overseas after spending five years in the MLB from 2020 until 2024.
Nick Nelson last pitched for the Phillies in 2024 but could make his way back to MLB
Nelson, 29, started his career with the New York Yankees before being traded to the Phillies along with Donny Sands in 2021 in exchange for T.J. Rumfield and Joel Valdez. He spent three seasons in Philadelphia from 2022 through 2024.
Nelson saw the most action in 2022 when he posted a 3-2 record in 47 games (two starts). His ERA, however, was less than impressive at 4.85, as he allowed 37 earned runs across 68 2/3 innings. Despite this, he made the Phillies’ postseason roster, with one appearance in the World Series against the Houston Astros.
Nelson spent two more years with the organization, between the major league club and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He finished his major league tenure with a 4-2 record and a 4.65 ERA in 52 games. He officially elected free agency following the 2024 season.
Nelson is not the only former Phillies player who has taken his talent overseas to Japan. This season, Maikel Franco and Yunior Marte played in the NPB with the Chunichi Dragons and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Legendary Phillies manager Charlie Manuel also had a memorable stint in Japan, winning three pennants and a Japan Series championship during a five-year run with the Kintetsu Buffaloes and Yakut Swallows.
With pitching at a premium in MLB, especially relievers, Nelson has a chance to resurrect his major league career in 2026.
He offers extensive major league experience and would be a cheap option for a team looking for bullpen help at either a minor league or a major league level. He also offers flexibility as a spot starter, something that the Phillies and Yankees took advantage of during his time with both organizations.
If Nelson does make it back to a major league roster next season, his tenure in Japan will be seen as a huge turning point in his professional baseball career.
