Howell exercised his $6.25 million player option for the 2016 season Wednesday, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howell put together a solid season in 2015 where he accumulated a 1.43 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts after 44.0 innings divvied up between 65 outings. Assuming things remain relatively the same with the Dodgers' bullpen next year, Howell will continue to be utilized as a relief pitcher while Kenley Jansen remains the club's closer.

Howell has allowed just one run in 25.2 innings this year. He's surprisingly recorded just five holds, but Howell has certainly been a bright spot. He'll continue to pitch in the late innings, but save opportunities will be scarce.

Howell (biceps) pitched to one batter in Wednesday's loss to the Rockies. Howell was struck on the arm by a line drive the day before, but that did not end up costing him any time. Consider Howell, who owns a 0.64 ERA but a 1.43 WHIP over 20 appearances, available out of the bullpen moving forward.

Howell was hit by a line drive during his appearance in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader and had a pretty sizable welt on his right biceps after the game, the Associated Press reports. Howell was in good spirits after the game because the line drive missed his head, but it remains to be seen if he will be available for the second half of Tuesday's doubleheader or for Wednesday's game. Even if he is unavailable for a couple days, it seems to be a pretty minor injury.

Howell has a 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings so far this season, though in his last eight games (5.2 inning), he's managed just one strikeout. Howell has just three holds and a 1.45 WHIP, so his value is minimal outside of very deep leagues that count holds.

Howell has shown some improvement lately with a pair of hitless outings after opening the season allowing seven baserunners in 2.1 innings. With a 1.75 WHIP, Howell is fortunate to be sitting with a 2.25 ERA, but he should be a candidate for plenty of holds going forward.

Howell allowed three runs in two-thirds on an inning on Tuesday, though there have been no reports that his groin is still bothering him. Howell now has a 16.87 ERA in four spring appearances. He would seem to be a lock for the Opening Day roster given his $4 million salary, but the Dodgers have already shown they are comfortable eating salary of non-performing players. Either way, Howell looks to be a long shot to accrue saves in Kenley Jansen's (foot) absence.

Howell (groin) is expected to pitch in a spring training game Saturday, Eric Stepen of True Blue LA reports. Howell has been working his way back from left-groin tightness, and it appear he's finally ready to take the mound. Assuming all goes well, he should be fine for Opening Day with the potential to receive some saves early in the season with Kenly Jansen (foot) sidelined.

Howell skipped his bullpen session Sunday and will be shut down for a couple days as a precautionary measure after developing mild left-groin tightness, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports. He noticed the issue after pitching an inning in Friday's exhibition and said the discomfort is typical after his first game appearance of the season. Look for him to return to throwing bullpen sessions later this week and return to Cactus League action by the weekend. With Kenley Jansen out until May, Howell could find himself in some closing situations in April if he enters the season fully healthy.

Howell could see save opportunities early in the season while Kenley Jansen (foot) is sidelined, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports.If we had to guess, Howell and Joel Peralta would share duties if the seaon started today. Of course the Dodgers could also elect to sign Francisco Rodriguez or Rafael Soriano to add depth, but bump up Howell's value slightly in deeper leagues.