Relief pitcher J.P. Howell had a player option for 2016 worth $6.25 million, and rather than decline it to hit free agency, Howell has decided to exercise it and remain with the Dodgers, according to tweets from Buster Olney of ESPN and Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
The move is a surprising one because he’s coming off a season in which he posted a 1.43 ERA over 65 games, including a thorough domination of lefties (.518 OPS against).