bullpen - Blog

Bullpen gets two key arms back, drops Grace from roster

August 30, 2019, 2:22pm

The Nationals made more changes to their ever-changing bullpen today, and there's still one more big change to come in a few days that could finally solidify that group for the season's final month. The Nats activated Roenis ElÃas off the injured list and Hunter Strickland off the paternity leave list this afternoon, bringing all three relievers acquired on July 31 together again after a long wait. Needing to clear roster spots, they designated struggling Matt Grace for assignment and...

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ElÃas moving closer to return after bullpen session (Nats up 5-2)

August 24, 2019, 9:44am

Nationals

ElÃas moving closer to return after bullpen session (Nats up 5-2)

CHICAGO - The left-hander the Nationals went out of their way to acquire at the trade deadline is getting closer to rejoining the active roster. Roenis ElÃas, who strained his hamstring in his team debut, threw off the bullpen mound at Wrigley Field this morning. If the session went well, he should be able to ramp up his rehab and potentially come off the injured list in short order. "We'll have to evaluate how he does today," manager Davey Martinez said, "and then we'll go from...

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Now on IL, Doolittle knows he must "hit pause and reset"

August 19, 2019, 8:18pm

Nationals

Now on IL, Doolittle knows he must "hit pause and reset"

PITTSBURGH - Sean Doolittle knew his mechanics were out of whack, knew he wasn't getting life and spin on his fastball the way he always had, knew his arm and body were fatigued. He also believed he could battle his way through it and still pitch effectively for a Nationals team that seemed to need him for the ninth inning way more nights of the week than it didn't. But after watching the Brewers torch him for three homers in the span of four batters during his latest blown save Saturday...

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As Doolittle deals with summer grind, Nats bringing back Holland

August 12, 2019, 8:47pm

Nationals

As Doolittle deals with summer grind, Nats bringing back Holland

Sean Doolittle admitted it. After pitching for the 52nd time in 118 games - a rate that leaves him on pace to establish a new career high with 71 appearances by season's end - and in five of the Nationals' last seven games, the club's closer admitted his gas tank is running low. "I mean, that's 5-of-7, in the middle of August, in the first season (in a long time) where I'm still going," Doolittle said with a chuckle. "I haven't put together a season like this in a while. I'm starting...

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With deeper bullpen, Nats finally confident closing out games

August 07, 2019, 5:14pm

Nationals

With deeper bullpen, Nats finally confident closing out games

SAN FRANCISCO - As the bottom of the ninth played out Wednesday afternoon at Oracle Park, the Giants getting an RBI double from Brandon Crawford and suddenly threatening to make things interesting, Davey Martinez might have been tempted to send Sean Doolittle or Fernando Rodney down to the bullpen to start warming up. Only a week or two ago, that's probably what would've happened. If a game was close late, Martinez would have felt compelled to at least warm up his closer or primary backup,...

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Nationals reach trade deadline with clear-cut needs

July 30, 2019, 8:12pm

Nationals Orioles

Nationals reach trade deadline with clear-cut needs

The Nationals have known for the better part of four months now they were going to need to upgrade their bullpen before the July 31 trade deadline. And for four months, they've tried every trick in the book to address their most glaring need without breaking the bank or dealing away top prospects. Today we finally find out if they're willing to do something bold and fix this problem area once and for all. The countdown to the 4 p.m. trade deadline is on, and the pressure's on general manager...

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Nats facing major obstacles as trade deadline approaches

July 21, 2019, 8:16pm

Nationals

Nats facing major obstacles as trade deadline approaches

ATLANTA - As he tries to navigate his way through these final days before the July 31 trade deadline, Mike Rizzo has to cope with the following realties: * The Nationals need bullpen help. * Their list of desirable prospects isn't nearly as long as it has been in the past. * They can't afford to take on much more salary without surpassing the league's luxury tax threshold, something the organization is openly saying it won't do. * Almost every contending team is also in the market for...

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Nats asking Venters, Rodney to help stabilize improving 'pen

June 25, 2019, 2:11pm

Nationals

Nats asking Venters, Rodney to help stabilize improving 'pen

MIAMI - Jonny Venters has been called up to join major league rosters under more noteworthy circumstances than this, from his major league debut with the Braves in 2010 to his return in 2018 following a six-year layoff. That doesn't mean the 34-year-old reliever didn't still get that familiar feeling of accomplishment when he got the call Monday to join the Nationals in Miami. "I couldn't have been more excited, especially with the way this team's been playing lately," he said. "And...

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Source: Veteran Venters also joining Nats bullpen tonight

June 25, 2019, 8:52am

Nationals

Source: Veteran Venters also joining Nats bullpen tonight

MIAMI - The Nationals are going to give another veteran reliever with shaky numbers so far this season a chance to help their bullpen during this final stretch before the All-Star break. Jonny Venters, the longtime Braves left-hander who has overcome what he describes as "3 1/2" Tommy John surgeries, will be promoted from Double-A Harrisburg before tonight's series opener against the Marlins, a source familiar with the transaction confirmed. Venters, 34, joins right-hander Fernando Rodney,...

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Rosenthal gets another shot in bullpen (Nats lead 4-0)

June 08, 2019, 5:18pm

Nationals

Rosenthal gets another shot in bullpen (Nats lead 4-0)

SAN DIEGO - The Nationals could've waited until Monday to make a final decision on Trevor Rosenthal, whether to activate the reliever off the injured list at the end of a 30-day rehab assignment or whether to cut ties with him and eat the $8 million they guaranteed him over the winter. They decided to go ahead and make the move now, though, activating Rosenthal before tonight's game against the Padres, hoping he can ride a couple of positive outings for Double-A Harrisburg earlier this week...

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Nationals sign veteran lefty Venters to minor league deal

May 29, 2019, 2:23pm

Nationals

ATLANTA - In their ongoing search for more bullpen help, the Nationals are taking a flier on veteran Jonny Venters, hoping the former Braves lefty can rediscover the form that made him effective last season but eluded him this year. The Nats signed Venters to a minor league contract and assigned him to Double-A Harrisburg, where he'll attempt to get himself on track and perhaps merit a promotion at some point. "He's a prominent left-handed pitcher who pitched well in some high-leverage...

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Nationals sign veteran reliever Kontos to minor league deal

May 25, 2019, 9:03pm

Nationals

In their neverending quest to improve the majors' worst bullpen, the Nationals have acquired another veteran with considerable experience. The Nationals signed right-hander George Kontos on Saturday to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Fresno's roster, where he'll attempt to earn his way into Washington's bullpen. Kontos, 33, owns a career 3.10 ERA and 1.154 WHIP in 350 big league games, the vast majority of those with the Giants. He bounced around three organizations...

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Guerra ready for whatever relief role is needed (game tied 5-5)

May 21, 2019, 3:54pm

Nationals

Guerra ready for whatever relief role is needed (game tied 5-5)

NEW YORK - Javy Guerra was hanging out in Toronto with his 2-year-old son Monday afternoon when he got a call from a Blue Jays official, informing the veteran reliever he had just been claimed off waivers by the Nationals. "Just hanging out," he said. "And before you know it, you find out that you have to get down here and be ready to play tomorrow." Guerra, now pitching for his sixth franchise in nine years, has learned how to deal with the uncertainty of this profession. "You just kind...

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Guerra could join bullpen Tuesday (Nats trail 4-2)

May 20, 2019, 3:55pm

Nationals

Guerra could join bullpen Tuesday (Nats trail 4-2)

NEW YORK - Javy Guerra won't join the Nationals bullpen until Tuesday at the earliest. But once he does, the club hopes the versatile veteran will help stabilize the majors' worst relief corps. Guerra, claimed off outright waivers from the Blue Jays earlier today, wasn't able to make it to New York in time for the Nationals' series opener against the Mets. Manager Davey Martinez, who spoke to the right-hander over the phone, hopes to have him available for Tuesday's game. "If he gets here...

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Sipp activated, Jennings designated, Guerra acquired

May 20, 2019, 11:18am

Nationals

Sipp activated, Jennings designated, Guerra acquired

NEW YORK - As they prepare to open a four-game series against a reeling Mets club, the Nationals are remaking their bullpen on the fly again. The Nats have activated left-hander Tony Sipp off the injured list while also claiming veteran right-hander Javy Guerra off outright waivers from the Blue Jays. Dan Jennings, an in-season acquisition who never found his footing, was designated for assignment to clear one roster spot. They'll need to clear another spot on the 25-man roster for Guerra once...

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Williams is next man up in ever-changing bullpen

April 13, 2019, 11:46am

Nationals

Williams is next man up in ever-changing bullpen

Austen Williams figured something was up when he was summoned out of Fresno's bullpen in the third inning of Friday night's game at Las Vegas. He knew he wasn't being called in to pitch that early in a game. Sure enough, Williams' hunch was correct. He was being called up to Washington, and now he had to race the clock (and the sun) to get to D.C. in time for today's 4:05 p.m. game against the Pirates. Williams' itinerary: A red-eye flight from Las Vegas to Chicago, then a connecting...

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Nats working to finalize minor league deal with Norris (updated)

April 09, 2019, 11:38am

Nationals

Nats working to finalize minor league deal with Norris (updated)

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals are working to finalize what will be a minor league contract with veteran right-hander Bud Norris, though the deal is not yet done, according to general manager Mike Rizzo. It's their latest attempt to patch together a viable bullpen after a disastrous start to the season. Norris will report to the Nationals' spring training headquarters in West Palm Beach and be evaluated by club officials before they determine a course of action, Rizzo said. If he checks out...

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Two years later, Nats face same bullpen mess, but in tougher division

April 07, 2019, 7:39pm

Nationals

Two years later, Nats face same bullpen mess, but in tougher division

NEW YORK - Max Scherzer had dominated, Anthony Rendon had homered and the Nationals had busted their way out to a double-digit lead on the road heading into the final innings. And then the majors' worst bullpen somehow turned that blowout win into a tension-filled bottom of the ninth that ended in an unlikely save situation. Sound familiar? It should, because it just happened Sunday at Citi Field. It also happened July 15, 2017, at Great American Ball Park. Yeah, the 2019 Nationals bullpen...

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Ross joins bullpen after red eye from Fresno (Nats up 12-6)

April 07, 2019, 8:37am

Nationals

Ross joins bullpen after red eye from Fresno (Nats up 12-6)

NEW YORK - Desperate for bullpen help only a week and a half into the season, the Nationals have promoted one of their standby starters from the minors to take over a relief role. Joe Ross, who was supposed to open the season in the rotation at Triple-A Fresno, was recalled today, with infielder AdriÃ¡n Sanchez optioned to Double-A Harrisburg to clear a roster spot. Ross, who had been scheduled to make his first start of the season Monday, instead took a red-eye flight from Fresno to New York...

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Just-signed Sipp ready to face multiple challenges (Nats win 11-3)

March 15, 2019, 9:56am

Nationals

Just-signed Sipp ready to face multiple challenges (Nats win 11-3)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Tony Sipp arrived at Nationals camp Thursday and immediately threw his first bullpen session with the club that signed him to a $1 million contract the previous day. He hasn't faced any live hitters yet, obviously hasn't appeared in any spring training games and certainly hasn't appeared in back-to-back games, all hurdles he'll need to cross before joining the Nats' active roster. So the pertinent question this morning when Sipp met with reporters in West Palm Beach...