The Nationals optioned Kyle Barraclough to Double-A Harrisburg today, recalling well-traveled infielder Adrian Sanchez, the team announced.
Barraclough, 29, represents the “successful” half of the Nats offseason bullpen upgrades. Entering the season, Washington hoped to install the since-departed Trevor Rosenthal as their eighth inning man, with Barraclough targeted for seventh inning setup duties. Obviously, the Nats had to audible not long into the season as Rosenthal imploded like few pitchers can, while Barraclough’s struggles were more pedestrian in comparison. Still, Barraclough ultimately landed on the injured list with nerve irritation in mid-June.
Yesterday marked Barraclough’s return, which he celebrated with a wild pitch before Justin Turner launched a 3-1 get-me-over fastball into the left field bleachers for the game-winning three-run homer. He did retire Cody Bellinger to end the inning, but Barraclough nonetheless finds himself headed back from whence he came not 24 hours after his arrival.
For the season, the Nats called on Barraclough 33 times for 25 2/3 innings with a 6.66 ERA (6.57 FIP). His walk rate (4.2 BB/9) is actually at a career low, while his 10.5 K/9 is his highest mark since 2016. Those improvements have paled in comparison to the regression in terms of quality of contact surrendered, however. Hitters against Barraclough have seen their year-over-year solid contact rates improve from 1.4% to 10.0% and barrel rates from 4.8% to 13.8%. Those contact rates have yielded 11.6 hits per nine innings and 2.8 HR/9.
As for Sanchez, 28, he returns to his place at the end of the Nationals bench. Today marks Sanchez’s seventh stint with the big league club this season, where he serves as the emergency backup shortstop and rarely-used 25th man. For the season he has started just once with 20 total plate appearances. He has four hits and seven strikeouts. Without Sanchez, the Nationals don’t have a backup for shortstop Trea Turner on the roster, but given the rarity with which the Nats put Sanchez to use, one would think a playoff contender like Washington could find a better use for a roster spot.
what would you expect after that inning yesterday……..
I thought Kyle was gonna be nasty but I have no idea what the heck is going on with the nationals bullpen, they will not make playoffs with the staff they have now
I wonder when the Nats are gonna decide to Develop their own Relivers instead of going dumpster diving for expired lotto tickets.
Felipe Vasquez would look nice in their pen.
They have developed their own pitchers but have traded most away – Felipe Vazquez (Rivero) and Blake Treinen As pure relievers and other pitchers like Robbie Ray, Lucas Giolito, and Reynaldo Lopez to name a few. They’ve unfortunately traded those guys to shore up weaknesses on the current roster.
No they haven’t developed their own pitching, they have had guys had success elsewhere because they can’t bring out guys full potential. If anything all those guys you listed are examples of Nationals lack of developmentental skills and further my point that they need to get better at developing because you can thank the pirates for Vasquez’s success and the A’s for Trenien.
Ah man. That guy had the best meatball dish in D.C.
I remember when the Red Birds moved him for Cishek, who bombed in St. Lou. He was nasty at first in Miami, but then regressed. As to the Nats producing their own relievers, Trienen and Vasquez would disagree.
Well good thing Treinen and Vasquez got the 8th and 9th covered for the Nats! Producing their own receivers and other clubs relievers are totally different.
Barraclough with that 6.66ERA
Oh really??? A better use for a roster spot???? Huh??? So, if Rendon goes down who plays third base? Kendrick? He’s barely able to manage at 2nd base post-achilles tendon rupture. Maybe “Baby Shark”? And then there’s shortstop where Ad Sanchez is probably a better glove than Turner? You have the best pitching rotation in baseball you don’t want to start giving up more runs in the infield there have already been too many …
Calling you on that inane opinion.
The only “inane opinion” is thinking Adrian Sanchez has a better glove than Trea. And yes, Howie’s the backup 3B and 2B. Dozier, even though not a perfect fit, is the backup SS. If they did need a backup, they’d only need to patch in game and can bring Sanchez up as needed instead of carrying him on the active roster.
Cmon. Should have brought up another reliever. If trea goes down we find another option. Unbelievable.
with regard to Sanchez… another option would be to you know… use him more often… lol. I mean I’m not saying he’s a star but the guy is hitting .322 with 6 HRs in AAA – so I’m willing to bet he could handle more than 20 PA in the Majors! haha
They probably will. Case in point today in a blowout he double switched Dozier out and got him off his feet for a couple innings. He can do the same for Rendon and Turner from time to time, since Davey is allergic to days off.