Washington Nationals News: How good is the Nats’ bullpen?
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily discusses the Washington Nationals’ bullpen and a PED suspension for one of the team’s minor leaguers.
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 Chelsea Janes discusses how the Nationals’ bullpen will look down the stretch. As Janes writes, the Nationals have, statistically, one of the best bullpens in baseball. And by releasing Jonathan Papelbon last week, the Nationals have now essentially committed to the bullpen they have to guide them down the stretch and, hopefully, into the postseason.
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While the bullpen hasn’t been perfect, Matt Belisle, Yusmeiro Petit, Blake Treinen and Shawn Kelley have proven to be a stable core for the ‘pen. Now, with one of the game’s best closers in Mark Melancon on board, the Nationals appear primed for a stretch run with one of the most effective relief corps in baseball.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Neil Greenberg discusses what Stephen Strasburg can do to snap out of his mini-slump. The right-hander has struggled in his last two starts, allowing 10 earned runs in just 10 innings.
We wrap up today’s Daily with some bad news for the Nationals organization. As MiLB.com’s Chris Tripodi writes below, 18-year-old Nationals minor leaguer Yonaiker Oropeza was handed a 72-game suspension after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing drug. Oropeza had been pitching in the Dominican Summer League.
Be sure to check out the articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
How will this Nationals bullpen look down the stretch?
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
DENVER — When the Washington Nationals released Jonathan Papelbon Saturday, they did so because they had been carrying an extra reliever for weeks, and could no longer afford to do so. They did so because among those eight relievers on the roster, Papelbon seemed to them the least reliable. Though Blake Treinen and Sammy Solis have options, the Nationals felt they are too useful to send to Syracuse because of a numbers crunch. As General Manager Mike Rizzo explained after the move, the front office sought the best 25 players in the organization to rely on down the stretch. Papelbon did not fit. Read full article here.
One change Stephen Strasburg needs to make to break from his slump
(Neil Greenberg, Washington Post)
Stephen Strasburg, who went 14-1 with a 2.70 ERA through July, has struggled in August. In his last three starts, the 28-year-old Cy Young hopeful has allowed 11 earned runs in 16 innings and gone 1-2. Strasburg allowed six runs in 5 1/3 innings in Friday’s 8-5 loss against the Atlanta Braves.
“It was too much Freddie Freeman,” Nationals Manager Dusty Baker told reporters after the game. “But I was told before that Freddie has had a tremendous amount of success in this ballpark, and it continued tonight.” Read full article here.
Two DSL right-handers suspended
NEW YORK — Two Dominican Summer League players were suspended Tuesday for violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Royals right-hander Miguel Medrano and Nationals right-hander Yonaiker Oropeza were slapped with 72-game bans by the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing drug. Both suspensions are effective immediately.
The 21-year-old Medrano moved back to the bullpen this summer, allowing two runs — one earned — on six hits and two walks over 13 2/3 innings in eight appearances. Read full article here.