Report: Doolittle signing one-year deal with Reds

Report: Doolittle signing one-year deal with Reds
The chances of Sean Doolittle's return to D.C. already looked slim after the Nationals signed All-Star left-hander Brad Hand last week. Today, that chance became nonexistent after Doolittle reportedly agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Reds. That agreement, first reported by The Athletic, gives Doolittle an opportunity to re-establish his career in Cincinnati after a rough 2020 season in Washington that was derailed by injuries and diminished velocity. Unable to throw his...

What's still left on the Nationals' shopping list?

What's still left on the Nationals' shopping list?
The Nationals have made three significant acquisitions so far this offseason, and they addressed unquestionably the club's three biggest needs. They needed a first baseman, and they got one in Josh Bell. They needed a corner outfielder, and they got one in Kyle Schwarber. And they needed a No. 4 starter, and they got one in Jon Lester. But that's not all the Nationals needed to do this winter to bolster their roster. They had a longer list of priorities, and though they've now crossed off...

Could the Nats bring back any of their own free agents?

Could the Nats bring back any of their own free agents?
We spend a lot of time talking about free agents the Nationals might be interested in acquiring, newcomers who could help bolster their 2021 roster. But what about the possibility of re-signing free agents who played here in 2020? The Nationals already brought back one guy who could've departed: Josh Harrison, who signed a one-year deal very early in the offseason. Otherwise, they've stayed away from their own free agents so far. That, of course, could change as spring training inches closer....

Nats' 2019 roster could be a distant memory come 2021

Nats' 2019 roster could be a distant memory come 2021
Nothing lasts forever in baseball. Change is inevitable. No roster, good or bad, stays intact from year to year. So this isn't unusual. But it's still somewhat striking when you pause to think about it: More than half of the Nationals' 2019 World Series roster isn't going to be part of their 2021 roster. At the moment, only 11 of the 25 players who were in uniform for Game 7 in Houston a mere 13 1/2 months ago remain employed by the Nationals. Only four of those 11 are position players:...

Are Nats only in market for lefty reliever or perhaps more?

Are Nats only in market for lefty reliever or perhaps more?
The Nationals are in the market for bullpen help this winter. Just like every winter. Guess you have to admire their consistency, right? The good news is, they're in less of a bind this winter than they've usually been in the past. With Daniel Hudson, Will Harris, Tanner Rainey and Kyle Finnegan all returning, they've got a solid core group of right-handers already on the staff. What they don't have is a left-hander, now that Sean Doolittle is a free agent. So that's probably priority No....

Barrera returns from "dark places," thrilled to resume playing baseball

Barrera returns from "dark places," thrilled to resume playing baseball
After being reinstated by Major League Baseball following a suspension, Nationals catcher Tres Barrera is headed to the Dominican Republic this week to begin training camp for winter baseball. The 26-year-old will play for the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. The schedule calls for 30 games beginning on Nov. 15. This is welcome news for Barrera, who just two and a half months ago thought his entire baseball career might be in jeopardy. Barrera was suspended in late July for...

After difficult year, Doolittle faces uncertain future

After difficult year, Doolittle faces uncertain future
Our offseason player review series continues today with Sean Doolittle, who was ineffective and injured much of this season and now faces an uncertain future. PLAYER REVIEW: SEAN DOOLITTLE Age on opening day 2021: 34 How acquired: Traded with Ryan Madson from Athletics for Blake Treinen, Jesús Luzardo and Sheldon Neuse, July 2017 MLB service time: 8 years, 122 days 2020 salary: $6.5 million (prorated $2,407,407) Contract status: Free agent 2020 stats: 0-2, 5.87 ERA, 11 G, 0 SV, 7 2/3 IP, 9...

Change is coming for Nationals, but how much?

Change is coming for Nationals, but how much?
The Nationals are going to undergo change this winter, of that there's no doubt. Nine prominent players (Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Eaton, Howie Kendrick, Asdrúbal Cabrera, Aníbal Sánchez, Sean Doolittle, Kurt Suzuki, Eric Thames and Josh Harrison) will either become free agents or could become free agents if their options aren't picked up. Several others (most notably Michael A. Taylor and Roenis Elías) could be in danger of being non-tendered. They aren't all coming back, that much...

Soto, Scherzer and Doolittle honored with end-of-season awards

Soto, Scherzer and Doolittle honored with end-of-season awards
The Nationals announced the winners of the fifth annual end-of-season awards voted on by members of the local media. Outfielder Juan Soto was voted the 2020 Nationals Player of the Year. Right-hander Max Scherzer was named Pitcher of the Year. Reliever Sean Doolittle won the "Good Guy" Award, given to the player for his professional dealings with members of the media and representing the Nats organization with class on and off the field. Soto, 21, has had a Most Valuable Player-caliber...

Cronin refining curveball as he works toward big league goal

Cronin refining curveball as he works toward big league goal
Lots of chatter from the Nationals recently about how well Matt Cronin is doing at the alternate training site. The left-hander has been dominant and has had the opportunity to showcase his stuff against experienced Nats hitters. "It was a little bit of an adjustment at first just facing more seasoned hitters," Cronin said. "Guys who knew the zone a little better and are used to seeing higher-quality stuff. I was struggling just attacking hitters when I first got here, but after the...

Rainey out for "a few days," Hernández gets first MLB start

Rainey out for "a few days," Hernández gets first MLB start
Nationals right-hander Tanner Rainey was one of only two relief pitchers who did not appear in last night's 12-inning marathon against the Braves. The other was left-hander Ben Braymer, who had just been called up. Rainey had pitched in three of the last four games. But today we found out there was another reason why Rainey did not pitch. "He has a little tightness in his forearm, so we are going to give him a few days off," said manager Davey Martinez during today's pregame Zoom video...

Doolittle to injured list with strained oblique, likely down for season

Doolittle to injured list with strained oblique, likely down for season
The Nationals have placed left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain and have called up left-hander Ben Braymer from the alternate training site. Doolittle appeared to injure his oblique on a pitch to Nick Markakis in the top of the ninth of Thursday night's 7-6 loss to the Braves and left the game. Manager Davey Martinez said Doolittle is seeing the doctor this afternoon and he expects to have a complete update after tonight's contest. With a...

Doolittle's return halted by oblique injury

Doolittle's return halted by oblique injury
Sean Doolittle spent weeks trying to rediscover the form that made him one of the best relievers in baseball. And then just as he seemed to find it, the Nationals left-hander suffered an injury that could bring an abrupt end to his season. Doolittle injured his right oblique muscle throwing a pitch in the top of the ninth during Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Braves, manager Davey Martinez revealed after the game. Though the club didn't know the severity of it in the immediate aftermath,...

What to make of the Nationals' sudden resurgence

What to make of the Nationals' sudden resurgence
They fell to 12 games under .500, their low point in what to date had been a dismal season that was slipping away before their eyes. And then something inexplicable flipped the switch and they started winning and started looking like they were actually enjoying themselves again for the first time all year. It happened in late May 2019, and we know how that turned out in the end. Now it's starting to happen in early September 2020, and the Nationals can't help but wonder how it will end this...

Doolittle tapping into former delivery to return to peak form

Doolittle tapping into former delivery to return to peak form
Step by step, Sean Doolittle is rediscovering the form that made him one of baseball's most effective relievers in recent seasons. And that's in part because of the near-step he's brought back to his delivery. After a summer of diminished velocity, gaudy stats and plenty of tinkering, Doolittle is finally starting to look like his old self again. He hasn't allowed an earned run in five appearances since returning from the injured list and a rehab stint at the Nationals' alternate training...

Nats outplay Rays again for fourth win in five (updated)

Nats outplay Rays again for fourth win in five (updated)
These are not the 2019 Nationals. Not in name and not in style of play. Most likely, they won't finish the season like their 2019 version did, either. But for now, that's not worth stressing over. Instead, take a step back and just appreciate what this ever-changing 2020 Nationals club is now doing. They don't have the star power - or the offensive power - of their World Series champion predecessors. But over the last week, they're finally starting to play with some passion. They're...

Despite tough loss, bullpen again gives Nats a chance at victory

Despite tough loss, bullpen again gives Nats a chance at victory
Overshadowed a bit in the 6-5 10-inning loss for the Nationals at Philadelphia on Thursday was the overall effectiveness of the Nats bullpen. Starter Aníbal Sánchez lasted only 3 1/3 innings. From there, the Nats relievers compiled 6 1/3 innings, allowing the Phillies only two runs on just two hits. The bullpen struck out 10 batters. Both Kyle Finnegan and Tanner Rainey struck out the side. It all started with Wander Suero, who worked 1 2/3 innings after Sánchez's struggles. He kept...

Voth, Crowe to start Friday's doubleheader in Atlanta

Voth, Crowe to start Friday's doubleheader in Atlanta
With a doubleheader on tap Friday in Atlanta and limited pitching options at his disposal, Nationals manager Davey Martinez plans to give Austin Voth another start. Voth will take the mound for the 4:05 p.m. opener of Friday's doubleheader against the Braves, said Martinez, who added right-hander Wil Crowe will be called up from the club's alternate training site in Fredericksburg to start the nightcap as the designated 29th man for the twinbill. With both games limited to seven scheduled...

With two positive steps forward, Doolittle can smile again

With two positive steps forward, Doolittle can smile again
If you're looking for silver linings from Nationals losses - and lord knows that's fast becoming a nightly pursuit - Sean Doolittle is your man. The left-hander's return from a two-week stint in Fredericksburg to rehab his knee and get his mechanics back in order has gotten off to an especially encouraging start. Sunday's relief appearance in Boston - four batters faced, two outs recorded, two weakly hit singles allowed - was a nice step in the right direction. Monday's 1-2-3 bottom of the...

Doolittle on rehab of knee and simplified mechanics

Doolittle on rehab of knee and simplified mechanics
Left-hander Sean Doolittle is back with the Nationals and is eligible to pitch tonight. His last appearance was Aug. 10. He was placed on the injured list Aug. 11 with right knee fatigue. Manager Davey Martinez said the club wanted Doolittle to rehab his sore knee and build some strength in his lower half in his two weeks at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg. "Just go down there and hone in on his mechanics," Martinez said during his pregame Zoom video call Saturday. "I think...