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Beeter worked a scoreless inning against the Angels on Friday night, but has struggled recently, which likely explains his demotion. Expect them to add another fresh arm to the bullpen prior to Saturday’s battle against the Angels.
Beeter did pretty decent work back when the Nationals were treating him as a one-inning closer, but he’s about a month removed from his last save chance now and the fireman role of coming into games in the seventh and pitching more than an inning doesn’t really seem to suit him. Giving up six runs in his last two appearances has taken his ERA from 3.45 to 4.50. It doesn’t seem like anyone in the Nationals pen will be worth rostering over the final three weeks.
Beeter looks to have emerged from the deadline with a safe closer role for now. He got through the sixth, seventh, and eighth place spots in the Reds order without incident tonight, striking out pinch-hitter Ivan Johnson to seal the win. The walk rate remains troubling but Beeter would need to lose some trust to re-open the committee discussion.
Beeter has earned three saves over the last five days to bring his season total to 11. His control issues can make things interesting, but he’s walked just two batters over his last 10 appearances, which have resulted in one win, two losses, five saves, one blown save and two holds.
Beeter allowed a hit and a walk but came through for his 10th save of the season. That mark leads the team, and he has four of the club’s five saves this month. It remains to be seen to what degree the Nationals will shake up their bullpen at the trade deadline, potentially limiting Beeter’s fantasy appeal despite his role on a dominant offensive team.
Beeter was summoned in the ninth inning to close out the game against the D-backs with a two-run lead. He needed just nine pitches to retire all three batters, securing the win for the Nationals and converting his ninth save of the season to go with a 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 33/19 K/BB ratio across 30 2/3 innings.
Beeter got the call to record the final out of the eighth inning, inducing a harmless ground ball from Jose Altuve. He came back out to face the heart of Houston’s lineup and spun an impressive perfect frame. He struck out Yordan Alvarez, got Isaac Paredes to ground out and coaxed a game-ending fly ball form Christian Walker. The 27-year-old appears to be the clear choice for saves in Washington heading into the All-Star break.
Beeter has two saves in three days. He had saves on back-to-back days May 30-31 and then got none of the Nationals’ next three opportunities over the first 19 days of June. Beeter has been effective in amassing a 3.57 ERA, but it’s still kind of scary that he’s walked 16 (three intentionally) through 23 1/3 innings. His stuff is closer-quality, but he’s walked 16 percent of the batters he’s faced as a major leaguer and was at 15 percent in his 133 career innings in Triple-A.
Beeter got the call to close out the game against the Rays in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He walked the leadoff man, who stole two bases to get to third, then gave up a run on a base hit. He then induced a flyout, then struck out two to preserve the win and pick up his fifth save.
Beeter entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh and struck out Kyle Stowers to end the rally. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep it going in the eighth. After a walk and a single, Jakob Marsee went to put down a sac bunt, only to wind up with a single because Curtis Mead was very late in charging the ball from third base. Joe Mack later hit a two-run single with two outs. Beeter might still be the favorite for saves in D.C., but as today’s usage showed, he’s not being saved for the ninth.
Beeter struck out one and allowed one hit, registering his second save in as many days. The four saves tie him with Gus Varland and Richard Lovelady for the team lead. Beeter’s 15/12 K/BB ratio makes him untrustworthy in most fantasy leagues, but he’ll remain part of this closer-by-committee going forward. It’ll be worth tracking if the Nationals trade away any relievers come July, which could open up a consolidated closer role for anyone who remains.
Beeter, who replaced Gus Varland, stranded the bases loaded by retiring Ty France to end the eighth. The Nationals then gave him two extra runs to work with heading into the ninth, and he pitched a scoreless inning despite walking two. It’s Beeter’s first save in four appearances since returning from the injured list. Consider him to be very much in the mix for saves in D.C., but it’s hard to say that any of the team’s relievers are worth rostering in shallow leagues right now.
Beeter has been sidelined since April 26th due to forearm soreness, but all his imaging came back clean. He began a rehab assignment last week and is now ready to return to his late-inning role. Before the injury, Beeter had posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 9/8 K/BB ratio over his first 10 1/3 innings while notching a pair of saves. Since he has been hurt, Richard Lovelady has recorded three saves and been a solid late-innings option for the Nationals as well. It would be likely that the two would form some sort of tandem in the short term.
Nationals manager Blake Butera told reporters Beeter won’t require a lengthy rehab assignment, which seems to signal that he’ll return to the club’s closing role before the end of May. The 27-year-old stopper hit the shelf with forearm soreness back in late April.
Beeter is in line to return next week if all goes well. He’ll likely resume challenging Gus Varland for saves, so Varland could definitely use a good week after allowing three runs in the eighth inning and taking a loss Sunday against the Marlins.
Nationals manager Blake Butera told reporters an MRI on Beeter’s right forearm didn’t reveal any structural damage. The 27-year-old hit the shelf with forearm soreness over the weekend. It sounds like there’s a chance he’s back in Washington’s bullpen rather quickly.
That’s never what you want to hear. While the severity of the forearm issue isn’t yet known, it’s often a precursor for more serious elbow issues. Beeter had posted a solid 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 9/8 K/BB ratio over his first 10 1/3 innings while notching a pair of saves for the Nationals. Gus Varland seems the most likely to step up and secure the closer’s role while he’s sidelined and is worth a look in any leagues where he may still be available.
The Beeter closed out a seven-run game wouldn’t seem to mean much, but it was nice to see that was in line to finish tonight. Gus Varland, who has emerged as the Nationals’ primary alternative in the ninth, pitched a scoreless seventh with a 5-3 lead before the Nationals busted out with three runs in the bottom of the seventh and again in the bottom of the eighth. Beeter is sporting a 3.48 ERA to go along with his two saves.
Beeter couldn’t find his command, walking two and hitting Ryan O’Hearn with a pitch in a game he entered in the ninth with a one-run lead. He didn’t exactly get hit up -- Brandon Lowe’s game-tying single hit two gloves on its way through the infield -- and he also finished out the inning. But it also wasn’t the kind of performance that puts Washington’s closer situation into the “no doubt” category. Orlando Ribalta wound up with the save in the bottom of the 10th, stranding the Manfred Man to close it out.
Beeter was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the final frame and managed to work around a leadoff homer from William Contreras, needing 24 pitches (12 strikes) to preserve the victory. The 27-year-old righty has converted two of three save chances this season and should continue to be the favorite for saves in Washington.
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