Will

Ohman

Ohman, out since January after elbow surgery, has already served his 60 days and more.

Ohman surrendered three earned runs in two innings of relief on Wednesday afternoon against the Twins, bumping his season ERA to 6.41. The veteran reliever is still rather effective against lefty hitters and should draw interest on waivers.

Ohman was designated for assignment by the Pale Hose at the end of June. The veteran southpaw still pretty effective against left-handed batters and should draw plenty of interest on the free agent market.

Ohman was released by the White Sox earlier this month and will look to continue his career with the Reds. If promoted to the majors, he’ll be used as a left-handed specialist.

A couple of borderline choices here. Ohman, who was on the 40-man roster before missing 2003 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, had a 4.30 ERA as a reliever for Iowa this season. Maybe he can still make it as a lefty specialist. Koronka is less likely to have any real impact in Chicago. He had a solid season for Iowa, going 12-9 with a 4.34 ERA, but the Cubs have a bunch of better pitching prospects.

Ohman has allowed two runs and five hits and has fanned 12 in 8 1/3 innings. The lefty will get a chance to replace Kent Mercker in the Cubs’ bullpen next season.

On the surface, Ohman struggled through his 26 2/3 innings with the White Sox in 2012, posting a horrifying 6.41 ERA. He did post a solid WHIP of 1.05 though, and a 13/5 K/BB ratio, and most of the ERA damage was due to allowing six home runs. He’ll attempt to latch on elsewhere as a left-handed relief specialist.

Ohman, 35, posted an ugly 6.41 ERA over 32 appearances for the White Sox last season, but he’s held left-handed batters to a .210/.294/.348 batting line during his career. The Nats have no left-handers that are a guarantee to make the Opening Day bullpen, so it’s a good spot for the veteran southpaw.

Ohman was reassigned to minor league camp last week and will be given his unconditional release. The 35-year-old should resurface as a left-handed specialist.

It wasn’t a save opportunity, but Ohman certainly entered the game in a closer-type capacity. MLB.com reported earlier in the day that Ohman was the frontrunner for saves with Alfredo Simon and Koji Uehara sidelined and that appears to be an accurate assessment. The 32-year-old veteran certainly deserves the gig and has now tossed 15 2/3 scoreless innings to start the season. Ohman has been no ordinary LOOGY, either, posting solid numbers against right-handed batters all season.