Dodgers acquire right-hander Juan Nicasio from Colorado Rockies.

Juan Nicasio

Juan Nicasio pitched better at Coors Field than he did on the road last season. (Getty Images)


The Dodgers acquired right-handed pitcher Juan Nicasio from the Colorado Rockies on Monday for a player to be named later or cash.

To make room for Nicasio on the 40-man roster, infielder Ryan Jackson was designated for assignment. The Dodgers claimed Jackson off waivers from the Padres on Nov. 3.

Nicasio, 28, had spent his entire professional career in the Colorado organization, the last four in the majors. Last season he went 6-6 with a 5.38 earned-run average in 33 games (14 starts). The Rockies designated him for assignment last week.

Statistically speaking, Nicasio is the rare pitcher who did his best work at Coors Field. Opponents slashed .271/.332/.456 against Nicasio at home last season. On the road, opponents slashed .288/.350/.475.

Nicasio had been a starter throughout his time in the minor leagues, and for his first three and a half major-league seasons, until he was demoted to the Rockies’ bullpen in August. From then on, opponents hit .227/.275/.400 against Nicasio in mostly low-leverage situations. He never once entered a game the Rockies were leading.

As a starter, Nicasio threw a fastball, changeup, sinker and slider. He dropped the changeup working out of the bullpen and his maximum fastball velocity jumped to 98 mph:

Juan  Nicasio brooksbaseball.net

The trade shuffles the makeup of the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. They now have eight infielders (plus Scott Van Slyke, Kyle Jensen and Andre Ethier, who can play first base) and 20 pitchers. Of the 20, only seven started a major league game last season, including Nicasio.

Nicasio is eligible for arbitration.

Now that the Ryan Jackson era is over, please share your memories of his Dodgers tenure below.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.