Steve

Cishek

Cishek made the official announcement on Friday evening with an Instagram post. The side-winding 36-year-old righty reliever hangs up his cleats following a lengthy 13-year career in the majors that included stints with the Marlins, Cardinals, Mariners, Rays, Cubs, White Sox, Angels and Nationals. He finishes with a strong 2.98 ERA 1.20 WHIP and 743/288 K/BB ratio across 710 2/3 innings (737 appearances) since 2010.

The 36-year-old hurler is set to hit free agency this winter. He appeared in 69 games for the Nationals during the 2022 season, registering a 4.21 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 74/27 K/BB ratio over 66 1/3 innings of work. He also tallied one save. While he has still proven to be an effective reliever, Cishek hinted that he’s starting to get ready for the next phase of his life, saying, “I’ve been weighing it for a little bit just because I like to have a plan going into the next season of life.. right now, I’m looking forward to bringing my girls to school, dropping them off and picking them up. I love that. Right now, that’s my goal early on, is just to enjoy that time with them.”

Tanner Rainey had pitched the last two days, earning saves in both games, so he was unavailable today. Cishek got the nod and picked up his 133rd career save despite allowing a hit and a walk. He has a 4.22 ERA in 21 1/3 innings this year.

It led to a benches-clearing altercation between the two clubs, but it didn’t escalate from there. Lindor was the fourth Mets player to be hit by a pitch already this series -- and the second one that was hit in the head after Pete Alonso on Thursday. Still, it obviously wasn’t an intentional move by Cishek and to have him ejected without any prior warning was probably a bit much.

He can earn an additional $500,000 in incentives. Cishek had a 3.42 ERA but an unsightly 1.49 WHIP with 41 walks over 68 1/3 innings for the Angels last season. Still, the 35-year-old could potentially be in the mix for saves given the status of the Nationals’ bullpen.

The deal is pending a physical, but Doolittle reportedly already has a locker in the Nationals’ spring training facility. The 35-year-old veteran lefty reliever has notched 112 saves over a 10-year career dating back to 2012. He posted a pedestrian 4.53 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 53/23 K/BB ratio across 49 2/3 innings (56 appearances) last year split between the Reds and Mariners. He could be in the mix for save opportunities with the Nationals, who have continued to add bullpen depth since the lockout lifted.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com adds that Cishek will receive $1.75 million and $500,000 in performance bonuses. He should step into the mix for saves, alongside incumbent southpaw stopper Kyle Finnegan, for the rebuilding Nationals this upcoming season. The 35-year-old veteran side-winding right-hander posted a solid 3.42 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 64/41 K/BB ratio across 68 1/3 innings (74 appearances) last season with the Angels. He’s worthy of a late-round lottery ticket selection for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues this spring.

Cishek was away from the club for a little under a week. Aaron Slegers was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. The right-hander has appeared in 54 games with a 3.64 ERA over 47 innings.

The veteran right-hander is expected to be away from the Angels bullpen for at least a couple of days. Andrew Wantz was recalled from Triple-A to take his place for the time being. Cishek has proven to be a major part of the Angels bullpen this season, appearing in a league-leading 54 games while posting a 3.64 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 44/29 K/BB ratio across 47 innings.

The Halos also signed Tony Watson to a matching contract and traded for James Hoyt, remaking their bullpen three days prior to Opening Day. Cishek had been in camp with the Astros on a minor league deal but wasn’t going to make the club. The veteran right-hander struggled in 2020, but he should be perfectly solid in 2021 as he reunites with former manager Joe Maddon.