Jackson

Rutledge

In 40 1/3 innings, Rutledge has surrendered 12 homers, most in the majors among relievers. His 19 percent strikeout rate is also awfully discouraging, and his ERA stands at 6.92. It’d seem to be time for the Nationals to give someone else a shot.

Moved to the pen after last year’s 6.40 ERA in 27 starts for Rochester, Rutledge had made two relief appearances in Triple-A this season, throwing three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. He’ll pitch in middle relief for now, but he could get sent down Sunday if the Nats call up someone to start in Michael Soroka’s place.

Rutledge will open the regular season back in the upper minors as extra starting pitching depth. The 25-year-old former first-round pick has made a handful of appearances for the Nationals over the last two years, but hasn’t turned into the impact arm scouts envisioned when he was picked in the 2019 MLB Draft.

Rutledge was pretty wild in a first inning in which he hit Austin Riley in the hand, but he did fine the rest of the way and lowered his spring ERA to 4.09 in 11 innings. Rutledge is probably bound for Triple-A again after struggling there last year. It’d seem to be time for the Nationals to try him as a reliever, but they’ve thus far resisted going that route with the 2019 first-round pick.

Rutledge finished strong for the Red Wings, pitching 13 scoreless innings in his final two starts. Overall, though, he had a 6.40 ERA and walked 77 over 122 1/3 innings in Triple-A. One imagines he’ll be in some danger of getting DFA’d or non-tendered this winter. First, though, he’ll get to spend the final weekend in the bullpen.

Rutledge heads back to the minors following a decent spot start on Friday night where he struck out six and allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings against the Brewers. The 25-year-old former pitching prospect could factor into Washington’s starting rotation plans at some point down the home stretch.

Rutledge struck out six, and he had a 4-2 lead when the Nationals opted to pull him one out shy of qualifying for the victory. It seemed like an odd call from a team that very much appears poised to sell, but when in doubt, Dave Martinez will always choose to overwork the bullpen.

As expected, the 25-year-old right-hander will join the Nationals to start against the Brewers on Friday night. Rutledge has really struggled at Triple-A Rochester this season, posting a 6.66 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and a 71/40 K/BB ratio over his 71 2/3 innings of work in 16 starts. He should be avoided for fantasy purposes.

Natonals manager Davey Martinez confirmed that Rutledge will get the ball on Friday for a spot start. The 25-year-old former top pitching prospect, who made one relief appearance back in mid-May during a doubleheader, holds a calamitous 6.66 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 71/40 K/BB ratio across 71 2/3 innings (16 starts) this season for Triple-A Rochester. There’s some talent here, but Rutledge is not a recommended fantasy option at this point.

Adon will take DJ Herz’s spot on the active roster, but it seems as though he will be pitching out of the bullpen for now. “The bullpen’s been worked a lot, as we know,” said Nationals manager Davey Martinez said. “It just gives us one more arm in the bullpen for the next five days, until we figure out what we’re going to do next. Hopefully, he can help us out there.” Adon has been mainly a starting pitcher in the minors this season but has also made five appearances out of the bullpen. He also has a 5.55 ERA in 60 innings at Triple-A this season and is off all fantasy radars.