Washington Nationals News: Felipe Rivero sees himself as a future closer
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily features stories on Washington Nationals reliever Felipe Rivero‘s future as a potential closer and Blake Treinen‘s goals this spring.
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s James Wagner discusses Felipe Rivero and how the young left-hander sees himself as a future closer.
Once a starter, Rivero has evolved into a flame throwing reliever who often comes close to 100 mph. He had a solid rookie season with the Nationals last year, going 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA over 48 1/3 innings.
Here’s what Rivero had to say about the possibility of closing, via Wagner’s article:
"“If they give me the opportunity to close, I’ll gladly accept it,” he said. “Ninth inning, every reliever wants that. There are few lefties in the game, especially that throw like me, and that throw hard, there are much fewer. I’d love to be a closer of the Nationals or whatever team one day in the future.”"
Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses Blake Treinen’s goals this spring. As Ladson writes in his article, Treinen needs to get left-handers out on a consistent basis if he wants to see success in 2016.
Of course, that’s exactly what he did earlier today in the Nationals’ 5-2 victory over the Cardinals. Treinen pitched two scoreless innings and St. Louis left-handers went 0-for-4 against him.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Felipe Rivero, thrust into a reliever’s role, now sees himself as a future closer
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
VIERA, Fla. — When Washington Nationals fireballing left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero hit 99 mph against Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis in an otherwise meaningless Sept. 24 game, he stopped himself. He had been inching toward the goal he set in the offseason following an injured 2014 as a starting pitcher. Rivero’s velocity improved each month as he built strength following an unexpected stomach injury, topping out at 97 mph in June, 98 in July and then 99 in August.
“ ‘Let’s see if I can do this,’ ” Rivero thought to himself. “’You never know when you’re going to pitch again.’ That day I felt really good. I had a feeling I could do it.” Read full article here.
Treinen’s spring goal: Success vs. lefties
JUPITER, Fla — Nationals right-hander Blake Treinen already knows what he has to do to be successful this year. He has to get left-handed hitters out on a consistent basis. Last year, they hit .336 against him. It was one of the reasons he was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse for two weeks in July.
But it was a different story Sunday against the Cardinals, as the Nationals won, 5-2, at Roger Dean Stadium. Treinen pitched two shutout innings, while the Cardinals’ left-handed hitters went 0-for-4 against the right-hander. But talking to Treinen, it’s clear he wasn’t satisfied with his outing. His fastball was hit and miss, and the slider wasn’t good. Read full article here.