J.P. Howell exercises option, will return to Dodgers in 2016

Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell answers questions during a news conference during the National League Division Series in New York on Oct. 13.

Columnist

Nov. 4, 2015 9:15 PM PT

Left-hander J.P. Howell will return to the Dodgers next season.

Howell could have become a free agent, but instead exercised his $6.25-million player option for the upcoming season, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the transaction hasn’t been formally announced.

The 32-year-old reliever pitched in 65 games for the Dodgers this year, posting a 6-1 record with a 1.43 earned-run average.

By making a combined 120 appearances over the last two seasons, Howell converted his mutual option for next season into a player option.

Howell earned $4 million this year.

Howell has appeared in 200 games for the Dodgers over the last three years. He is 13-5 with a 1.97 ERA over that period.