Tyler

Clippard

It was assumed Clippard was done when he never showed up anywhere this spring, but this makes it official. Clippard, 38, had a 3.16 ERA and a 131 ERA+ over 807 big-league appearances. He saved 32 games in 2012, won 11 games in relief in 2010 and posted a 1.83 ERA over 88 1/3 innings in 2011. He twice struck out more than 100 batters in relief, he made two All-Star teams and, aside from his one bad year in 2017, he was almost always effective while pitching for 10 teams in 16 seasons. That’s a really nice career.

The 37-year-old hurler had been designated for assignment earlier in the week and passed through waivers unclaimed. Clippard posted a troublesome 7.20 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over his tiny five-inning sample with the Nationals. It’s unclear if he’ll look to latch on elsewhere -- most likely on a minor league deal -- or if it’s time he decides to call it quits.

Clippard had allowed four earned runs over just five innings of work this season with Washington.

Clippard made just one appearance for the Nats last month before going down with a groin injury. He’s ready to rejoin the bullpen now and figures to serve in middle relief.

Clippard struck out a pair of batters and needed just 15 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the side in order. The veteran righty has been out since late July due to a groin strain and figures to return to the Nationals’ bullpen this week.

Clippard has been out since late July due to a groin strain that he sustained just a few weeks after finally getting called back up to the majors. The veteran right-hander should be ready to rejoin the Nationals’ bullpen sometime next week, if not sooner.

Clippard’s return to the Nats lasted just one appearance before he landed on the IL. It’s not clear how long he’ll be out.

Clippard joins the big league bullpen with incumbent closer Tanner Rainey (elbow) unexpectedly landing on the injured list and likely to miss the rest of the season. The 37-year-old hurler posted a 2.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 49/17 K/BB ratio over 36 1/3 innings at Triple-A. He’s unlikely to find himself in the mix for saves right away, but he does have 74 career saves at the big league level and could be an option if others fail or if he pitches well out of the gate.

Cavalli, a consensus top-50 prospect in the game, appeared to have a shot at making the Nationals’ Opening Day roster earlier this spring, but struggled in his final few Grapefruit League appearances. The 23-year-old righty, who was a first-round selection back in 2020, could make his big-league debut later this year.

Clippard is back with the Nationals for the first time since the 2014 season. The 37-year-old righty recorded six saves last year with the Diamondbacks to go along with a solid 3.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 21/11 K/BB ratio across 25 1/3 innings (26 appearances). He’ll serve as organizational relief depth this season.