The Pirates have designated lefty Enny Romero for assignment after activating him from the disabled list, per a club announcement. In other moves, the club promoted righty Nick Kingham and optioned infielder/outfielder Jose Osuna.
While the club’s maneuvering did not require a 40-man spot, Romero’s return to health forced a decision. He is out of options, meaning he had to be added back to the active roster or cut loose.
Romero was very nearly designated earlier in the year, before his shoulder injury was discovered. The hard-throwing southpaw, who was claimed from the Nationals in April, has thrown only six MLB frames on the season.
The 2017 nationals bullpen was so bad that they let this guy close a few games…
He isn’t that bad honestly he had under a 3.6 ERA last year with 65 K’s in 55 IP, he can throw almost 100mph. I think he just has some major injury issues going on.
He’s no closer, the point was at how bad the Nats bullpen was. Seems like the Nats always have some sort of hole on every playoff team they run out on the field. Only this year they seem more well rounded, and they aren’t nearly as good as their 2012/14/16/17 versions of themselves. Makes you wonder if firing Dusty was the right move. (I do acknowledge they’ve had major injury issues, though.)
Talent wise, from top to bottom, with everyone healthy, one could make the argument this is the deepest 25 man roster the Nationals have EVER put together.
Like you alluded to though, several of their key players just cannot seem to stay healthy..
Starting Five:
Max Scherzer
Steven Strasburg
Gio Gonzalez
Tanner Roark
Jeremy Hellickson/Joe Ross
Bullpen:
Sean Doolittle
Kelvin Herrera
Koda Glover
Shawn Kelley
Brandon Kintzler
Ryan Madsen
Justin Miller
Matt Grace
Position Players
C. Pedro Severino/ Matt Wieters
1B. Ryan Zimmermann/Matt Adams
2B. Daniel Murphy
SS. Trea Turner
3B. Anthony Rendon
OF. Juan Soto
OF. Adam Eaton
OF. Bryce Harper
Bench:
C. Matt Wieters
1B/CO Matt Adams
CI/CO Mark Reynolds
INF: Wimmer Difo
Super UT: Howie Kendrick
OF: Victor Robles
OF: Michael Taylor
Even with their vast array of injuries the Nationals have maintained a pretty solid level of success, SOLELY due to their roster depth. Rizzo has done an excellent job once again setting this team up for a deep postseason run, seemingly filling in just about all of their roster holes and weaknesses, except at catcher..
Again, the only position Rizzo has not been able to fill is at the Catcher position. He tried to fill that hole with the signing of Wieters, but Wieters has continued to battle through a continuous string of injuries dramatically affecting his level of effectiveness on the field.
So yeah, basically, he’s been a bust; HOWEVER, Rizzo might be able to make up for his mistake on Wieters come the trade deadline. He can do this by trading for his former franchise catcher Wilson Ramos. Ramos is looking more and more like the Ramos that broke out in 2016, before he suffered that bad injury.
With his abilities defensively, and with his above average bat, he would fill the Gnats most glaring weakness, and Ramos is certainly attainable at an affordable price…
You take a line-up of:
1. Adam Eaton
2. Trea Turner
3. Bryce Harper
4. Anthony Rendon
5. Juan Soto
6. Daniel Murphy
7. Wilson Ramos
8. Matt Adams/Mark Reynolds
With a possible bench of: Robles, Michael Taylor, Difo, Severino, and Mark Reynolds/Matt Adams…
And you’re talking about one of the deepest lineups in baseball, rivaling that of even Boston AND New York..If the Gnats can get Ramos, then they’ll be scary good come post-season time..Not to mention, NO TEAM wants to face the trio of Scherzer, Strasburg, and Gio 4 times in a first to 4 series..Especially not with the likes of Roark and the new and improved Hellickson waiting to start, and Doolittle and Herrera practically making it a 7-inning contest..
Also, keep in mind, I STRONGLY dislike the Nationals, hence their nickname, the Gnats..lol..Quite clearly, I’m a Braves fan, but I cannot deny the Gnats immense talent. As a former player, former coach, life-long fan, current umpire, and just as an admirer of the game of baseball, you cannot help but respect the collection of talent Washington has put together!!
Just one problem with your Nats lineup: Murphy can no longer even pretend to play 2B. Either he or Adams/Reynolds/Zimmerman have to sit while someone who can field the position, Wilmer Difo, does so.
Angels, give sosh a better lh option with Alvarez
Honestly forgot he was still in the organization. Best of luck
Am I the only one who thinks it’s weird that the title is about a player being released and the photo is a whole bunch of players high fiving each other. Like it’s looks like they are celebrating his release?? 🙂