Nationals option Gus Varland to Triple-A Rochester

With Clayton Beeter having thrown on back-to-back days, Varland was called on to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning on Tuesday. He allowed a solo home run to Lane Thomas but no other damage and picked up his sixth save of the season. Varland came into today with an 8.53 ERA in his last eight games, so we still expect Beeter to get the majority of save opportunities in this bullpen going forward.

Clayton Beeter, who has reemerged as the favorite for saves in D.C., entered in the seventh and wound up with the win despite allowing two runs in the eighth, giving the Giants a 3-1 lead. The Nationals, though, came back with three in the top of the ninth, and Varland shut the door from there. We’re not sure any Nationals reliever is worth rostering in 10- or 12-team leagues at the moment, but Beeter is probably still the best bet of the group. Varland’s save was his first since May 7.

Varland was pulled from a 7-4 game with the bases loaded, and Clayton Beeter bailed him out. Varland hasn’t taken any blown saves in his opportunities to close, but his stock has declined after a shaky month in which the Nationals have often chosen to play matchups late in games. His fourth and most recent save came on May 7, and he’s given up five earned runs in 7 1/3 innings in eight appearances since. Beeter went on to get the save today.

Revenge is sweet. Lovelady, who has had multiple stints with the Mets and pitched for them earlier this season, shut down his former team on just 10 pitches. The southpaw struck out Carson Benge swinging to end it. Despite some shaky control, Loveland has emerged as a key piece in the Nationals’ bullpen with a 2.03 ERA over 13 appearances. It’s worth noting that Gus Varland threw two innings on Monday and was unavailable, but Lovelady is giving Blake Butera an alternative for save chances.

The plan originally was for Andrew Alvarez to go four and piggyback off Zack Littell, but Alvarez allowed a single and walk to start the ninth inning. Gus Varland, the closer in name if not in results, walked Leodys Taveras, struck out Coby Mayo, and allowed a sacrifice fly to get the Nationals to two outs. Then the Nationals summoned Lovelady to deal with lefty-hitting Gunnar Henderson. Henderson singled to bring the Orioles within a run, and after a Taylor Ward walk loaded the bases, the lefty was able to freeze Adley Rutschman on the outside corner to end the game. Varland still looks like the closer to roster in this pen in fantasy leagues, but the Nationals don’t really have a good answer right now.

Beeter is in line to return next week if all goes well. He’ll likely resume challenging Gus Varland for saves, so Varland could definitely use a good week after allowing three runs in the eighth inning and taking a loss Sunday against the Marlins.

Varland came in with two outs in the eighth and gave up a single to Byron Buxton before slamming the door in a two-run game. He was removed from a save opportunity for matchup purposes in Sunday’s game, but he’s very clearly the favorite for saves in D.C. right now.

Gus Varland had recorded the final out in the eighth and started the ninth with a two-run lead. Loveland took over with one out and one runner on. He allowed the runner to score on a hit and a groundout before striking out the final batter to secure the win and record his first save. Varland has displayed the best skills in the bullpen and leads the team with three saves. He’ll likely continue to lead the way, even in part of a matchup-based committee.

Varland is now in sole possession of the Nationals team lead in saves with three. Clayton Beeter (forearm) is sidelined, which presents a runway for Varland to potentially seize the ninth-inning job. He’s given up some hard contact this year but is also missing just enough bats to be effective regardless. He easily throws the most strikes in the Nationals’ bullpen.

Varland struck out one and needed just 10 pitches to handle the bottom of the eighth, which followed seven scoreless frames from Foster Griffin. It isn’t closer usage, but Varland’s chances at the ninth-inning job increased Sunday when Clayton Beeter went to the IL with forearm soreness. Paxton Schultz eventually earned the save in extras, but Varland looks to have the inside edge in an uninspiring committee.