The Nationals have announced the release of veteran righty Vance Worley. With several other pitchers re-assigned to minor-league camp, fellow righty Jeremy Guthrie is left as the only non-roster hurler in MLB camp, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post notes (Twitter links).
Clearly, Worley won’t make the club as a long man, though perhaps he could still be re-signed to serve as depth. Also missing on the Opening Day roster are veteran minor-league signees Jacob Turner and Neal Cotts, while young 40-man righties Trevor Gott and A.J. Cole have officially been optioned to Triple-A.
That seemingly leaves Guthrie as the team’s long reliever of choice — if, that is, the Nats decide to carry one. Alternatives include carrying a third lefty (the out-of-options Enny Romero) or an additional bench player (Wilmer Difo or Michael Taylor).
Worley, who’s still just 29, received a long look this spring, throwing 15 frames for the Nationals. But he allowed nine earned runs on 16 hits while recording as many walks as strikeouts (six apiece). Though Worley got results last year, compiling a 3.53 ERA over 86 2/3 frames in a swingman capacity for the Orioles, he’ll have to return to the open market in search of a better opportunity.
As for Guthrie, who didn’t pitch last season, reports of a resurgence were borne out in his spring stat line. Over 18 2/3 innings, he allowed just five earned runs on a meager ten hits while racking up 15 punchouts to go with five walks. Whether or not he can carry that success into the regular season in his age-38 campaign remains to be seen, but it could be interesting to see how the longtime starter fares in a relief role.
Miami has an atrocious pen and the rotation looks like isn’t going deep into games either with the week lot after Chen. Vanimal would be an excellent pickup to go 2-3 innings. Still hard time seeing why he had such a hard time finding a job in the 1st place.
I thought Miami totally revamped their pen, but if they need a long man, they should consider Worley.
Duquette treats nickels like man hold covers
That is why he was looking for a job in the first place.
Their bullpens actually pretty good. Ramos, Ziegler and barraclough is a very strong back of the bullpen and David phelps was pretty good last year to. Add in tazawa and they’re probably set
Maybe they can defy conventional wisdom, eschew a designated longman, and keep Koda Glover. I suspect they will use his option instead and keep the clock from ticking on ML time, but I bet Solis would be a better multi-inning guy than Guthrie. That would be a much more versatile bullpen.
“Maybe they can defy conventional wisdom, eschew a designated longman, and keep Koda Glover.”
Where have you been? Glover is on the team. Only question is whether he is given the closer role to begin the season or just the opportunity to compete for it with Treinen and Kelly. Rizzo/Dusty appear to be leaning in favor of making him the closer from day one, but are holding their cards close for now.
And Dusty just said it will be Treinen. (Per Chelsea Janes of the Wash. Post.)