Minus Soto, Strasburg, Nats start to win before facing Mets
Things have hardly gone to plan for the Washington Nationals in 2021APRIL 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
TANNER RAINEY #21 - PITCHER - WASHINGTON NATIONALS
0-0 W-L •
1.49 WHIP •
4.76 ERA
0-0 W-L
1.49 WHIP
4.76 ERA
Picks up third hold Rainey struck out the side and gave up one hit in a scoreless seventh inning during Wednesday's win over the Cardinals, recording his third hold of the season.
Impact The right-hander has had a shaky start to the season with an 8.53 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through 6.1 innings, but Rainey appeared to regain his 2020 form Wednesday, as he fanned Matt Carpenter, Justin Williams and Austin Dean, all on sliders. Rainey is still a key setup arm for the Nats for now, but if he can't find some consistency, he could be bumped down to lower-leverage spots once the rest of the bullpen gets healthier.
APRIL 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Scherzer's 9 K's, Avila RBI double lift Nats past Cards 1-0
Max Scherzer struck out nine in six scoreless innings to move up to No. 21 on the career K's leaderboard, and Alex Avila drove in the game’s lone run with one of his two doubles, h...APRIL 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bases-loaded walk in 8th lifts Nationals past Cardinals 3-2
Washington’s Yan Gomes drew a four-pitch walk from Giovanny Gallegos to force in the go-ahead run in an odd eighth inning that also featured St. Louis deploying a five-man infield,...APRIL 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kershaw barely outduels Scherzer, Dodgers sweep Nats 3-0
Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings of five-hit ball in an outstanding duel with Max Scherzer, and the Los Angeles Dodgers swept three games from the Washington Nationals with a 3-...APRIL 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Loses second game of doubleheader Rainey (0-1) allowed two hits -- including the game-winning two-run homer -- and a walk across one inning to take the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against At...
Impact It was a rough 2021 debut for the right-hander, as Rainey needed 28 pitches, the worst of which was a middle fastball that pinch hitter Pablo Sandoval drove over the fence. Rainey's average fastball velocity Wednesday was 95 mph -- a decrease from 97.7 mph in 2019 and 96.6 last season. He consistently touched 100 mph with his heater in the 2019 postseason, and as his primary pitch, it must improve considerably if he's to keep a high-leverage role in Washington's bullpen.
APRIL 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Panda! Sandoval helps Braves sweep doubleheader against Nats
Atlanta pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval drove a two-run homer to the deepest part of the ballpark off a Washington reliever who took over after Stephen Strasburg’s six scoreless inning...APRIL 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scherzer faces deGrom in spring game, rematch on opening day
Max Scherzer will have the ball in his hands when he begins the final season of his seven-year, $210 million contract with the Washington NationalsMARCH 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Making spring debut Sunday Rainey (collarbone) is scheduled to pitch during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact The 28-year-old has yet to see game action in spring training due to a minor muscle strain near his right collarbone, but he's set to take the mound during Sunday's contest. Rainey completed a couple simulated games throughout the past week, and he should have enough time to get fully ramped up for Opening Day.
MARCH 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Less than 2 weeks post-surgery, Lester makes Nationals debut
Jon Lester has made his spring debut for the Washington Nationals less than two weeks after having surgery to remove a parathyroid glandMARCH 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pitches in simulated game Rainey (collarbone) threw 22 pitches in a simulated game Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact Rainey has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut this spring as he works through a muscle strain near his right collarbone. He continues to progress in his recovery, however, and he still has time to make the Opening Day roster. Rainey flashed high-leverage upside last year, striking out an incredible 42.7 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.66 ERA, making him one of the top candidates for saves should Brad Hand struggle or get injured.
MARCH 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Nearing return Rainey (collarbone) could pitch in a game this weekend, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact He will throw another simulated game Thursday, and if that goes well, Rainey will pitch in an exhibition game this weekend. He still has time to get ready for Opening Day if he can avoid setbacks.
MARCH 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Facing hitters Rainey (collarbone) tossed a live batting practice session Sunday, Pete Kerzel of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact After experiencing no issues with his collarbone coming out of his bullpen sessions in recent days, Rainey was cleared to take the next step forward in the recovery process by facing hitters. The Nationals have yet to pinpoint a target date for Rainey to make his Grapefruit League debut, but his activity Sunday is certainly a step in the right direction. Rainey was arguably the Nationals' top reliever in 2020, finishing the abbreviated campaign with a 2.66 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.
MARCH 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No timetable for game action Rainey (collarbone) continues to throw bullpen sessions, and the Nationals have no timetable for his readiness to pitch in Grapefruit League games, Jesse Dougherty of The Washingto...
Impact The right-hander is dealing with what manager Dave Martinez called a "minor" muscle strain along his right collarbone, but the team is taking no chances with Rainey and has limited him to bullpen sessions so far in camp. With Daniel Hudson and Will Harris available to handle setup duties in front of closer Brad Hand, the goal will likely be to make sure Rainey is healthy for the season rather than pushing him to get ready for Opening Day, but if he makes good progress over the next week the 28-year-old might still be able to avoid an IL stint to begin the campaign.
MARCH 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tanner Rainey, the Nationals’ top reliever in 2020, remains sidelined by a muscle injury With less than three weeks to go before Opening Day, the 28-year-old righty has not appeared in a spring training game.
MARCH 14, 2021 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Nats GM won't say why Jeffress was cut, but not for on-field
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has declined to specify why Jeremy Jeffress was released by the teamMARCH 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cleared for mound work Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Rainey (collarbone) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact While he has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut as he recovers from a muscle strain near his right collarbone, Rainey is beginning to ramp up again and is expected to be ready to go for the start of the regular season. After incumbent closer Daniel Hudson endured a turbulent 2020 campaign and after Sean Doolittle left for the Reds this offseason, Rainey looks like he could be a candidate for ninth-inning duties earlier this winter, but those hopes were dashed when the Nationals signed three-time All-Star Brad Hand to a one-year, $10.5 million deal. Rainey should once again serve as one of the Nats' top setup men in 2021.
MARCH 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Nats release Jeffress for unspecified 'personnel reasons'
Reliever Jeremy Jeffress has been released by the Washington Nationals for what general manager Mike Rizzo called unspecified “personnel reasons.”MARCH 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Alderson: `Some of our players aren’t defensive geniuses'
New York Mets president Sandy Alderson says he is emphasizing offense over defense but Kevin Pillar and Albert Almora Jr_ were brought in to help.”MARCH 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dealing with muscle strain Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Rainey is dealing with a minor muscle strain near his right collarbone and has yet to resume mound work, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSp...
Impact Rainey ended the 2020 campaign on the shelf with a right flexor strain, but the 28-year-old has been bothered by a different injury since reporting to spring training a couple weeks ago. According to Martinez, Rainey was shut down for a few days to begin camp, but he's since been cleared for long toss from 90 feet. Based on where Rainey currently stands in his recovery, Martinez believes that the right-hander is still on pace to make about six or seven appearances this spring, which would put him on track to be ready for Opening Day.
MARCH 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brad Hand gets $10.5M from Nationals, $6.5M of it deferred
Left-handed reliever Brad Hand has finzalized a $10.5 million, one-year contract with the Washington NationalsJANUARY 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP source: Nationals agree to sign All-Star closer Brad Hand
All-Star closer Brad Hand has agreed to sign with the Washington Nationals, a person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated PressJANUARY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Inbox: Soto, Turner contracts; Rainey's role As the Nationals enter 2021, there still are questions to be answered, from upcoming contract situations to filling out the roster to potent...
JANUARY 8, 2021 • MLB.COM
Hits injured list Rainey landed on the 10-day injured list with a right flexor strain Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact The move was made retroactive to Saturday, so Rainey could theoretically rejoin the team Monday for the final week of the season, though that would only be possible if it's a mild strain. His loss will be a blow to the struggling Nationals, as he owns a 2.66 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 42.7 percent strikeout rate in 20.1 innings this season. Aaron Barrett was recalled in a corresponding move.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Curtiss expected to start as Tampa Bay hosts Washington
The Nationals will start Anibal Sanchez on Tuesday and the Rays are expected to counter with John CurtissSEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
