David Price: 'My Legs Were Shaking' from Nerves in Dodgers Spring Training Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher David Price said he battled through some nervous energy in his first spring training appearance with the club Monday.

"It's been a while since I faced hitters wearing a different jersey," he told reporters. "It's the first time I've been in a game in six, almost seven months. My legs were shaking out there. It's just, if you love what you do you're definitely going to have nerves. It was fun. I definitely enjoyed it, getting back out there."

Price, who was acquired in a February trade with the Boston Red Sox that also sent Mookie Betts to L.A., allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks in 1.1 innings as part of the team's 6-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Three of the four outs he recorded came via strikeout.

The Dodgers represent the fifth stop of the 34-year-old Tennessee native's career. He's played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox. He spent the last four years with the Red Sox and helped the club win the 2018 World Series.

Price struggled in his final year with Boston. He posted a 4.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 22 appearances before his season ended prematurely in early September when he underwent wrist surgery.

"I needed to get it fixed," he said Monday. "It's new for my hand to be warm."

Although the Vanderbilt product wasn't sharp with his command in his first spring outing, he came away encouraged by his overall performance.

"Wasn't missing in the middle of the plate," Price said. "When I did miss, it was a very small miss. Everything is getting there."

His track record is terrific. He's earned five All-Star selections, led the American League in ERA twice and was named the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2012. His career ERA is 3.31, and he's posted 1,981 strikeouts in 2,029.2 innings.

If Price returns to form in 2020, the Dodgers should possess MLB's most dominant top of the rotation, as he joins Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.

That trio combined with an offense led by two MVP candidates in Betts and Cody Bellinger are why L.A. is the favorite to win the National League pennant with +135 odds, per Caesars Palace.

The Dodgers are back in action Wednesday for an exhibition clash with the NL West-rival San Francisco Giants. They also open the regular season March 26 against the Giants.