After a dismal performance by the Washington Nationals’ bullpen in their recent series against the New York Mets, the team needed some reinforcements. Before tonight’s game against the Miami Marlins, the organization called up right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan to fill one of the spots in the bullpen:
The #Nats have recalled RHP Taylor Jordan from Triple-A Syracuse.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 11, 2015
This season, Jordan has appeared in four games and had one start with the Nats. He is 0-2 with a 5.29 ERA and he has not pitched in a Major League game since July 18 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old right-hander spent the bulk of the season pitching at Triple-A Syracuse.
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While Jordan gave up four runs on 12 hits over 5.1 innings in his final start of the season for the Chiefs against Scranton Wilkes-Barre (New York Yankees) on September 6, he did give up three runs or less in eight of his last ten starts. In the second half of the International League season, he went 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA over the course of seven starts
However, when you look at Jordan’s numbers in his first full season in triple-A, he did have 27 walks, which was one of the higher totals on the team. Even in his brief stint with the Nationals this season, he had two walks in two of his four outings.
One thing to keep an eye on about Jordab is that he does not allow too many hitters to hit the ball out of the park. Down in the minors this season, he gave up only four home runs and two of them came in one game on August 27 vs. Rochester (Minnesota Twins). Back on June 3 against the Blue Jays, he did give up seven runs over the course of six innings in a loss, but he was able to induce 15 ground ball outs against one of the best lineups in Major League baseball.
Even though the Nats’ playoff chances are slim at best, one of the things to watch for in the final few weeks of the season is how the team uses Jordan, A.J. Cole, and Joe Ross, who was recently put in the bullpen because of innings limits. While Jordan won’t get many starts, if any at all, the Nationals just need another pitcher in the bullpen right now to provide another option for Williams to go to after his bullpen gave up 12 runs in the three games against New York.
Next: Nationals at Marlins Series Preview (9/11-9/13)