Yunesky Maya signed a four-year, $6 million contract with the Nationals after defecting from Cuba and found himself in the majors following just five starts in the minors, but the 28-year-old right-hander struggled with an 0-3 record and 5.88 ERA in five September outings.
Maya headed to the Dominican Republic to pitch winter ball and get some more work in before likely joining the Nationals’ rotation for Opening Day, and he’s been named the DWL’s pitcher of the year.
Maya had a 1.32 ERA and .193 opponents’ batting average in eight starts, posting an excellent 42/9 K/BB ratio in 41 innings after managing a sub par 12/11 K/BB ratio in 26 innings for the Nationals.
Obviously dominating in winter ball hardly guarantees big-league success, but the Nationals must feel better about having Maya penciled into the Opening Day rotation and he’s at least shown some of the form that made him an elite ace in Cuba.