Jimmy's half Nelson

Jimmy Nelson has no restrictions, but he's not without concerns.

Nelson, who missed the entire 2018 season after 2017 shoulder surgery, will enter camp a full go, he revealed at Brewers On Deck, their annual fan festival. What's more, he said it's his goal to be the Brewers' starter on Opening Day.

"I love that mentality," Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said. "I love the fact that Jimmy wants to do that, and believes he can do that. Jimmy has gone through a really nice off-season to this point in terms of going through a normal throwing program. We’re going to let Jimmy’s health and progress dictate the pace at which this moves throughout the spring.

"It’s a balancing act, right? You want your players to be motivated, to get after it as hard as possible. It’s our responsibility to make sure he’s doing that as safely as possible. So, he and our medical staff have been in contact throughout this entire off-season.
"He has followed our throwing program to a T, and I know he will continue to do that."

Nelson was having a terrific 2017 season before the injury, posting a 3.49 ERA while striking out 27.3 percent of hitters in 29 starts. He injured the shoulder sliding head-first in a game on September 8.

When healthy, the 29-year-old is arguably -- or inarguably, depending on who you ask -- the Brewers' best starter. Even coming off a year-plus away, Nelson holds promise as a high-strikeout starter on a good team.

His shoulder is not Nelson's only, or biggest, concern, though. Soon after Brewers On Deck, he also revealed his unborn twin daughters needed a procedure to attempt to correct twin to twin transfusion, a condition that could mean one or both of the twins wouldn't live.

That potentially devastating news served as a good reminder that baseball players are literally just like us; in that, they're human. There is a "rather significant chance" of losing one or both babies, Nelson said on Instagram, and if that does happen it will have a real-life effect that transcends the fantasy game.

We're keeping the Nelson family in our thoughts.

Realmuto in Red?

Already having had one of the most active off-seasons, the Reds appear to lead the pack in pursuit of the most sought-after catcher available as well.

Reports trickled in Monday that the Reds were "making progress" in talks for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, per Fancred's Jon Heyman. Tuesday morning, Heyman cautioned that the two sides were "still apart" on the prospects that would change hands in a potential deal.

It's hard to tell who might go to Miami in a potential deal, but Heyman offers that Reds prospects Hunter Greene, Nick Senzel and Taylor Trammell -- three of the team's highest-regarded prospects according to many outlets -- could interest the Marlins. In a separate tweet, Heyman names Jonathan India, the No. 5 overall pick in last summer's MLB Draft, as another possible prospect in play.

Though it may be posturing on the part of the Marlins, everything suggests it may take an uncomfortable package of young players, headlined by one of those mentioned by Heyman, to acquire the 27-year-old Realmuto. Most rumblings to this point have had the Fish seeking a sky-high return for the catcher, who is under team control through the 2020 season.

And although the Reds are the latest team believed to have momentum, they're not the only ones still said to have interest. Heyman notes the Padres, a team with a top catching prospect of their own, Francisco Mejia, to dangle; as well as the Dodgers, Braves, Astros and Rays are "among other possibilities" to win the bidding for Realmuto.

Infield insights

A pair of middle infielders found new homes on Tuesday.

Former Padre and Phillie Freddy Galvis inked a one-year, $5 million deal with the Blue Jays to presumably be the team's Opening Day shortstop. That move suddenly calls into question the status of Lourdes Gurriel, the previously presumed starter, with the possibility now existing that Gurriel begins the year in the minors or in a timeshare.

The deal also includes a $5.5 million club option for 2020.

Further south, the Marlins signed infielder Neil Walker to a one-year, $2 million contract. Walker has experience at a number of infield positions and will likely play them all at points this year.

The 33-year-old hit just .219/.309/.354 in 113 games with the Yankees last year.

Quick Hits: Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Marcell Ozuna (shoulder) will begin his throwing program in early February. Ozuna, who underwent shoulder surgery in late October, took batting practice and played catch at the Cardinals' complex in the Dominican Republic last week. Mozeliak said Ozuna is "looking strong" and "working hard" and they are encouraged by his progress ... Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports that the Twins have "inquired" on Craig Kimbrel and could make a play for him if his asking price drops ... the Red Sox signed RHP Jenrry Mejia to a minor league contract. Mejia was previously banned for life from Major League Baseball following a third PED bust in 2016, but he won reinstatement late last summer and will now try to rebuild his reputation with Boston. The 29-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in a game at the MLB level since July 2015 ... Rangers signed RHP Shawn Kelley to a one-year, $2.75 million contract with a $2.5 million club option for 2020. The deal was agreed to on Monday and then made official on Tuesday evening after Kelley passed the necessary pre-signing physical. The 34-year-old right-hander delivered a sharp 2.94 ERA, 0.898 WHIP, and 50/11 K/BB ratio over 49 innings between the Nationals and Athletics in 2018, and will now continue his work as a late-inning setup man in Arlington, Texas. Kelley could maybe even slide into the closer role if Jose Leclerc is traded. John Andreoli has been designated for assignment in a corresponding 40-man roster move ... Jon Heyman of Fancred reports that the Padres are considering free agent Mike Moustakas. And Moustakas comes at the recommendation of his former teammate and current Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer. The Padres have emerged as a potential suitor for Manny Machado, but Moustakas will come cheaper and might also be more realistic ... Rays signed INF/OF Emilio Bonifacio to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Bonifacio turns 34 in April and spent most of last season in independent ball before signing a minor league deal with the Brewers late in the year ... the Diamondbacks signed manager Torey Lovullo to a contract extension. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reports that the new deal will run through 2021. His contract was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2019 campaign ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia announced his retirement from baseball, as did Dillon Gee ... the Mets and Royals made official their deals with Justin Wilson and Whit Merrifield, respectively. Wilson will earn $10 million over two years, while Merrifield will make $16.25 million over the final four years of team control.