Clayton

Beeter

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.

Beeter entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh and struck out Kyle Stowers to end the rally. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep it going in the eighth. After a walk and a single, Jakob Marsee went to put down a sac bunt, only to wind up with a single because Curtis Mead was very late in charging the ball from third base. Joe Mack later hit a two-run single with two outs. Beeter might still be the favorite for saves in D.C., but as today’s usage showed, he’s not being saved for the ninth.

Beeter struck out one and allowed one hit, registering his second save in as many days. The four saves tie him with Gus Varland and Richard Lovelady for the team lead. Beeter’s 15/12 K/BB ratio makes him untrustworthy in most fantasy leagues, but he’ll remain part of this closer-by-committee going forward. It’ll be worth tracking if the Nationals trade away any relievers come July, which could open up a consolidated closer role for anyone who remains.

Beeter, who replaced Gus Varland, stranded the bases loaded by retiring Ty France to end the eighth. The Nationals then gave him two extra runs to work with heading into the ninth, and he pitched a scoreless inning despite walking two. It’s Beeter’s first save in four appearances since returning from the injured list. Consider him to be very much in the mix for saves in D.C., but it’s hard to say that any of the team’s relievers are worth rostering in shallow leagues right now.

Beeter has been sidelined since April 26th due to forearm soreness, but all his imaging came back clean. He began a rehab assignment last week and is now ready to return to his late-inning role. Before the injury, Beeter had posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 9/8 K/BB ratio over his first 10 1/3 innings while notching a pair of saves. Since he has been hurt, Richard Lovelady has recorded three saves and been a solid late-innings option for the Nationals as well. It would be likely that the two would form some sort of tandem in the short term.

The move seems intended to clear a roster spot for Nationals closer Clayton Beeter to return from the injured list for Thursday’s finale against the Mets. Poulin holds a respectable 2.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 16/14 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings this season

Nationals manager Blake Butera told reporters Beeter won’t require a lengthy rehab assignment, which seems to signal that he’ll return to the club’s closing role before the end of May. The 27-year-old stopper hit the shelf with forearm soreness back in late April.

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.

Nationals manager Blake Butera told reporters an MRI on Beeter’s right forearm didn’t reveal any structural damage. The 27-year-old hit the shelf with forearm soreness over the weekend. It sounds like there’s a chance he’s back in Washington’s bullpen rather quickly.

That’s never what you want to hear. While the severity of the forearm issue isn’t yet known, it’s often a precursor for more serious elbow issues. Beeter had posted a solid 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 9/8 K/BB ratio over his first 10 1/3 innings while notching a pair of saves for the Nationals. Gus Varland seems the most likely to step up and secure the closer’s role while he’s sidelined and is worth a look in any leagues where he may still be available.