The Nationals have signed right-hander Erasmo Ramirez to a minor league contract, MLBTR has learned. Ramirez’s deal contains an invitation to the Nats’ big league Spring Training camp.
The 31-year-old has appeared in each of the last 10 MLB seasons, with the first seven of those years as a member of the Mariners and Rays before bouncing to the Red Sox, Mets, and Tigers from 2019-2021 on minor league deals. Ramirez’s 26 2/3 innings with Detroit last season represented his most Major League action of the last three years, though he struggled to a 5.74 ERA in a Tigers uniform.
Working as a starter and swingman for much of his career, Ramirez has worked only as a reliever at the MLB level since 2019, but can still add length to a bullpen — he threw beyond one inning in 10 of his 17 appearances last year. While it has been some time since Ramirez has posted consistent numbers at the Major League level, his ability to cover innings could be of use to a Washington bullpen that has seemingly been in constant flux for several years. The Nationals also signed another seasoned arm in Steve Cishek yesterday, so both Cishek and Ramirez can provide some veteran knowledge to a bullpen that is overall short of big league experience.
Wow, good for him. He was pretty good with Tampa Bay
Erasmo is a AAA pitcher, and someone needs to throw those innings. AAA teams are half to 2/3 full of non-prospects filling out a roster.
Good for him…he got a contract and might even get to throw a hand full MLB innings in mop up at a pro-rated $700,000 for a week or two.
Keep in mind that the MLB rosters could very well be expanded for a few weeks this year. So you’re going to need some warm bodies, and so will your AAA team, since some of their guys will be on your roster. . Expect quite a few of these signings this week.