PJ

Poulin

Poulin heads back to the minors after tossing a scoreless frame during Wednesday’s series finale against the Guardians. The 29-year-old southpaw holds a respectable 3.28 ERA and 17/16 K/BB ratio across 24 2/3 innings for the Nationals this season.

The 29-year-old southpaw was just optioned out on Wednesday, but he’ll rejoin the Nationals with Jake Irvin (shoulder) hitting the injured list on Sunday. Poulin has done a nice job out of the Nats’ bullpen this season, posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and a 16/14 K/BB ratio over 21 2/3 innings.

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

Mikolas has been atrocious in his three outings with the Nationals, and Washington will hope that working in bulk will lead to better results. They almost literally can’t get worse. PJ Poulin will open ahead of Mikolas on Tuesday.

Given a two-run lead with the automatic runner on, Poulin got a popup and a routine fly before striking out Juan Soto to end the game. Soto didn’t like strike three, which was caught low and away from the zone, but it appeared to catch the corner as it came across the plate. Poulin, a 29-year-old rookie, has a 2.82 ERA in 22 1/3 innings for the Nationals.

We initially figured Poulin would head to Triple-A after being claimed off waivers from the Tigers on Sunday, but he’s getting added to the active roster in place of Ryan Loutos. It’ll be the major league debut for the 29-year-old, assuming that he gets into a game. He had a 3.38 ERA and a 62/17 K/BB in 42 2/3 innings for Detroit’s Triple-A affiliate.

Loutos was with the team for just two days this time around. He gave up one run on one hit over 2/3 of an inning during Sunday’s loss to the Brewers. He’ll continue to serve as extra bullpen depth for the Nats at the Triple-A level for the time being. The Nationals are expected to promote PJ Poulin on Monday to take the open roster spot.

Poulin will likely head to Triple-A Rochester after being cut loose earlier this week by Detroit at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old southpaw was added to the club’s 40-man roster last month after a strong showing at Triple-A Toledo. He should make it to the majors at some point in the final two months.

Poulin will remain at Triple-A Toledo for the moment, but he’s been added to the club’s 40-man roster after pitching to a strong 3.72 ERA and 54/14 K/BB ratio across 36 1/3 innings (29 appearances) this season in the minors. The 28-year-old southpaw had an upward mobility clause in his contract with Detroit and they didn’t want to risk losing him to another organization.

The 27-year-old southpaw spent the entire 2023 campaign at Triple-A Albuquerque where he registered a 5.44 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and a 39/33 K/BB ratio over 49 2/3 innings in his 32 appearances. He’ll add bullpen depth for the Tigers at Triple-A Toledo.