KYLE FINNEGAN NEWS

Nabs five-out save Finnegan pitched 1.2 perfect innings to earn the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact Finnegan entered the contest with one out in the eighth inning and promptly got Christian Walker to ground into a double play. In the ninth, Finnegan retired the side without trouble to protect the one-run lead again. The right-hander is the Nationals' preferred closer with Tanner Rainey (elbow) and Sean Doolittle (elbow) both out for the year. Finnegan has allowed two runs in 8.1 innings in July and sports a 3.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB through 38.1 innings. He's picked up two saves, 12 holds, three blown saves and a 2-2 record. While he's got the backing of manager Dave Martinez, the Nationals' major-league worst 32-65 record is likely to make save chances hard to come by for any reliever on the team.

JULY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruiz gets 3 hits, Nats avoid sweep with 4-3 win over D-backs

Keibert Ruiz had three hits, including a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and the Washington Nationals avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3

JULY 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Misses out on save chance Finnegan struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Sunday in a win over Atlanta.

Impact The right-hander was warming up in the bottom of the eighth inning to get ready for his first save chance since moving into the closer role, but a Juan Soto solo shot bumped the Nationals' lead to four runs and erased the opportunity. Finnegan doesn't have elite numbers by any means -- 3.93 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 28.3 percent strikeout rate through 36.2 innings on the year -- but he is manager Dave Martinez's first choice to close with Tanner Rainey (elbow) out for the year, even if a Nats squad on pace for almost 110 losses doesn't wind up providing him with many save chances the rest of the way.

JULY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Braves pound 3 HRs, send Nationals to eighth straight loss

Austin Riley, Orlando Arcia and Adam Duvall homered as the Atlanta Braves beat Washington 8-4 Friday night, sending the Nationals to their eighth straight loss

JULY 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stepping in as closer Manager Dave Martinez labeled Finnegan as "the guy" for the closer role Thursday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Tanner Rainey (elbow) has worked as Washington's primary closer this year and has 12 saves, but he's expected to miss the rest of 2022 after being placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday with a UCL sprain. Finnegan has operated in a setup role this season with 12 holds, and he has a 3.89 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 34.2 innings. The right-hander picked up 11 saves while operating as the Nationals' closer during the second half of last season. Washington ranks last in the league in total saves, so save opportunities could be somewhat infrequent even if Finnegan pitches well.

JULY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riley hits RBI single in 12th, surging Braves top Nationals

Austin Riley hit a tying home run in the eighth inning and a winning single in the 12th, lifting the surging Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals

JULY 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Schwarber homers twice, Phillies still fall to Nationals 3-2

Josiah Gray struck out a career-high 11 and the last-place Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2

JULY 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reynolds 3 HRs, 6 RBIs as Pirates snap skid, beat Nationals

Bryan Reynolds hit a career-high three homers and drove in six runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Washington Nationals 8-7

JUNE 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up first save Finnegan allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save over Pittsburgh on Monday.

Impact Finnegan worked around a two-out double by Josh VanMeter to finish off the 3-2 win. It was his first save of the season and he lowered his season ERA to 4.03 alongside a 35:10 K:BB through 32 appearances. Tanner Rainey pitched twice over the last three days so Finnegan likely isn't cutting into his role.

JUNE 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Franco's 2-run homer carries Nationals past Pirates 3-2

Maikel Franco hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning, and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 in the opener of a three-game series

JUNE 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

García's walk-off homer gives Rangers 3-2 win over Nationals

Adolis García homered leading off the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Texas Rangers a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals

JUNE 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fedde throws 6 sharp innings as Nationals blank Orioles 3-0

Erick Fedde allowed two hits over six innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 for their second straight victory following an eight-game skid

JUNE 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Soto hits 2 homers, Nationals rally to be beat Reds 10-8

Juan Soto hit a three-run homer and a solo shot, and Maikel Franco and Luis Garcia drove in ninth-inning runs to rally the Washington Nationals to a 10-8 win over the Cincinnati Re...

JUNE 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Soto snaps homer drought, Nationals hold off Rockies 6-5

Juan Soto snapped a 15-game home run drought with a two-run shot, Tanner Rainey got the final five outs and the Washington Nationals held off the Colorado Rockies 6-5

MAY 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rockies and Nationals split doubleheader

José Iglesias had three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh, Chad Kuhl pitched 6 1/3 innings and the Colorado Rockies beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 to split a dou...

MAY 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nationals end skid against Dodgers, win 1-0 in series finale

Erik Fedde and three relievers combined on a six-hitter, César Hernández had an RBI single and the Washington Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 to avoid a series sweep

MAY 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Racks up fifth hold Finnegan struck out one in a perfect eighth inning Wednesday to record his fifth hold of the season in an extra-inning win over the Marlins.

Impact While the right-hander did his job in a setup role, closer Tanner Rainey didn't, coughing up a run that sent the game to extras. Rainey has been tagged for runs in three straight appearances and blown two straight save chances, and if he continues to stumble, Finnegan could get another look in the ninth inning after he rung up 11 saves in 2021. The 30-year-old has had a couple shaky spells himself this season, but he carries a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and career bests in strikeout rate (28.1 percent) and walk rate (8.8 percent) through 14.1 innings.

MAY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Shakes off finger injury Finnegan (finger) appeared in relief in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Rockies, striking out two over a 19-pitch inning while allowing one earned run on two hits.

Impact The appearance was Finnegan's first since he suffered a cut on one of his fingers in a May 1 outing against the Giants. Assuming Finnegan felt fine coming out of Thursday's appearance, he'll be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale with the Angels.

MAY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hampson, Rodgers, Grichuk hit HRs, Rockies beat Nats 9-7

Garrett Hampson and Brendan Rodgers each hit three-run home runs for the Colorado Rockies in a 9-7 win over the Washington Nationals

MAY 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dealing with cut on finger Manager Dave Martinez said after Sunday's win over the Giants that Finnegan is dealing with a cut on his finger, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Finnegan gave up a run on no hits and two walks in one-third of an inning Sunday, and Roberts believes the right-hander's laceration contributed to his struggles. The Nationals have a scheduled day off Monday, and it's not yet clear whether the 30-year-old will be available for Tuesday's series opener in Colorado.

MAY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Two holds in Tuesday's twin bill Finnegan picked up a hold in both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader sweep of the Diamondbacks.

Impact After walking one and striking out one in a scoreless eighth inning in the matinee, Finnegan worked a perfect eighth in the nightcap while fanning another Arizona batter. The right-hander now has three holds and a win through six appearances to begin the season with a 4.76 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB through 5.2 innings, and should Tanner Rainey falter as the closer -- something he nearly did in the second game Tuesday, as he loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth before escaping the jam -- Finnegan would likely be the next man up for save chances.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gray allows only 1 hit as Nationals beat Fried, Braves 3-1

Josiah Gray allowed one hit in five scoreless innings, and the Washington Nationals beat Max Fried and the Atlanta Braves 3-1

APRIL 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nabs win Sunday Finnegan (1-0) picked up the win in Sunday's victory over the Mets, striking out one in a perfect eighth inning.

Impact The right-hander entered the game with the Nationals down 2-1 and needed only nine pitches to shut down New York, and Finnegan got rewarded for his work when Washington rallied for three runs in the bottom of the frame. Tanner Rainey worked the ninth and appears first in line for save chances, but Finnegan could see opportunities too if he keeps pitching well.

APRIL 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cruz homers, keys Nats over Mets 4-2 with 8th-inning hit

Nelson Cruz hit his 450th home run and added a tiebreaking two-run single in three-run eighth inning that lifted the Washington Nationals over the Mets 4-2 and prevented New York f...

APRIL 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Attempting to get on track in camp Finnegan threw a scoreless two-thirds of an inning with one hit allowed in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Impact Even so, Finnegan sits with a 12.27 ERA this spring. He was knocked around for five runs in his first three Grapefruit League appearances, and while he's turned in a pair of scoreless appearances since, he hasn't fanned a single batter his last couple times out. By no means does that negate Finnegan's strong 2021 body of work, but manager Dave Martinez seemed to prefer Tanner Rainey as his closer entering camp and Finnegan has done little so far to close the gap.

MARCH 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE