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Jonathan Papelbon requests release from Washington Nationals
Struggling reliever Jonathan Papelbon has requested for and received his release from the Washington Nationals, general manager Mike Rizzo announced Saturday.
The Nationals made a corresponding roster move by recalling Reynaldo Lopez, who is scheduled to start Saturday night's game against the Atlanta Braves.
Papelbon is a free agent and can sign with any team. The Nationals are responsible for the remainder of his $11 million salary this year.
In 37 appearances this season, Papelbon is 2-4 with a 4.37 ERA and 19 saves in 22 opportunities. His most recent blown save came on July 26, when he entered the game with a 6-4 ninth-inning lead but failed to retire any of the five batters he faced as Washington lost 7-6 to the Cleveland Indians.
Four days later, on July 30, the Nationals acquired All-Star Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the two weeks since the trade, Papelbon has made just two appearances, both in low-leverage situations. Meanwhile, Melancon has pitched in five games, allowing one hit over five scoreless innings while converting both of his save chances.
The release ends Papelbon's tumultuous tenure in D.C. A six-time All-Star closer, the right-hander was acquired in a controversial trade with the Philadelphia Phillies on July 28, 2015. Before the deal, Washington reliever Drew Storen had been one of the best closers in baseball and the Nationals were in first place. After the trade, Storen and the entire Washington bullpen struggled and the team finished seven games behind the Mets in the National League East.
One week before the end of the 2015 season, Papelbon attempted to choke teammate and eventual NL MVP Bryce Harper during an altercation in the dugout when the two players got into an argument after Harper didn't run out a pop fly. For his actions, Papelbon was suspended seven games -- three by the league and four by the Nationals -- effectively ending his season.
During the offseason, the Nationals tried to trade Papelbon but had trouble finding takers for the veteran hurler, who was scheduled to earn $11 million in 2016, the final year of his contract.
Papelbon has posted career worsts in ERA, WHIP (1.46) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.21) this season.
A 12-year veteran, Papelbon has a career record of 41-36 with a 2.44 ERA. His 368 career saves are the ninth most all time and third among active hurlers. A former fourth-round pick of the Red Sox in 2003, he spent the first seven years of his big league career in Boston and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series.
Asked if the Red Sox were interested in bringing back Papelbon, manager John Farrell said Saturday: "We haven't had any discussions on Jonathan."
The Nationals made a corresponding roster move by recalling Reynaldo Lopez, who is scheduled to start Saturday night's game against the Atlanta Braves.
Papelbon is a free agent and can sign with any team. The Nationals are responsible for the remainder of his $11 million salary this year.
In 37 appearances this season, Papelbon is 2-4 with a 4.37 ERA and 19 saves in 22 opportunities. His most recent blown save came on July 26, when he entered the game with a 6-4 ninth-inning lead but failed to retire any of the five batters he faced as Washington lost 7-6 to the Cleveland Indians.
Four days later, on July 30, the Nationals acquired All-Star Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the two weeks since the trade, Papelbon has made just two appearances, both in low-leverage situations. Meanwhile, Melancon has pitched in five games, allowing one hit over five scoreless innings while converting both of his save chances.
The release ends Papelbon's tumultuous tenure in D.C. A six-time All-Star closer, the right-hander was acquired in a controversial trade with the Philadelphia Phillies on July 28, 2015. Before the deal, Washington reliever Drew Storen had been one of the best closers in baseball and the Nationals were in first place. After the trade, Storen and the entire Washington bullpen struggled and the team finished seven games behind the Mets in the National League East.
One week before the end of the 2015 season, Papelbon attempted to choke teammate and eventual NL MVP Bryce Harper during an altercation in the dugout when the two players got into an argument after Harper didn't run out a pop fly. For his actions, Papelbon was suspended seven games -- three by the league and four by the Nationals -- effectively ending his season.
During the offseason, the Nationals tried to trade Papelbon but had trouble finding takers for the veteran hurler, who was scheduled to earn $11 million in 2016, the final year of his contract.
Papelbon has posted career worsts in ERA, WHIP (1.46) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.21) this season.
A 12-year veteran, Papelbon has a career record of 41-36 with a 2.44 ERA. His 368 career saves are the ninth most all time and third among active hurlers. A former fourth-round pick of the Red Sox in 2003, he spent the first seven years of his big league career in Boston and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series.
Asked if the Red Sox were interested in bringing back Papelbon, manager John Farrell said Saturday: "We haven't had any discussions on Jonathan."