Tony

Sipp

Sipp was designated for assignment on Friday and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 36-year-old southpaw had posted a 4.71 ERA in 21 innings (36 appearances) this season out of the Nationals’ bullpen.

With all of their new additions to the bullpen, someone had to go, and Sipp was the odd man out. The 36-year-old southpaw posted a 4.71 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 21 innings with the Nationals.

Sipp will return to Washington’s bullpen ahead of Monday night’s game against the Mets after missing a little under two weeks with a strained oblique muscle. He has allowed six earned runs in nine innings this season.

He shouldn’t need more than an appearance or two before being activated. Sipp has missed the last week and a half with a strained oblique.

This type of injury typically requires 3-4 weeks of rest and recovery for pitchers, and sometimes much longer. Sipp had allowed six earned runs in nine innings of relief this season with Washington.

Sipp was lifted from an appearance Wednesday with a sore left shoulder, but it sounds like his removal was precautionary and he should be fine. He’s allowed four runs over his first 2 2/3 innings this season.

Sipp was surprisingly pulled from a blowout win over the Phillies on Wednesday, but we know why now. The Nationals have a day off on Thursday, but Sipp will be reevaluated before Friday’s game against the Pirates. Keep in mind that Sipp got a late start to the year, so a trip to the injured list simply for precautionary reasons seems possible.

Sipp will get a day off on Friday, and then throw in a minor league game on Saturday so that Washington can control his workload. The Nationals believe that Opening Day is still in play despite Sipp not signing until March 14. That seems optimistic, but considering the track record and his role, it’s not impossible.

Sipp landed a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the Nationals last week. It’s a great deal for the Nationals, but the southpaw is running out of time to be ready for Opening Day. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if he needed a few more days.

The deal comes with a $1 million guarantee for 2019 and a $250,000 buyout on the mutual option. Sipp will work as a lefty specialist for Washington and should flourish in that role, at least until the three-batter minimum is instituted. He had a 1.86 ERA in 54 appearances last year with the Astros.