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Washington Nationals Send Struggling Pitcher to Minor League
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- Washington Nationals Send Struggling Pitcher to Minor League
(Denis Poroy-Imagn Images)
The timing may have been surprising, but the Washington Nationals pulled the trigger on another roster decision along the pitching staff, this time at a sore spot.
The team announced that reliever Clayton Beeter has been sent down to Triple A Rochester following Friday night's 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels . This will mark the second time that Beeter will suit up for Rochester in 2026 where has allowed one hit across 19 pitches and two innings in two appearances.
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Yet in the majors, Beeter has struggled in the closing spot where he is responsible for seven of the team's 38 blown saves to help the Nationals comfortably set the MLB record for the most in a season.
Across 50 appearances and 48 innings pitched, Beeter has allowed 36 hits and eight home runs while tossing 47 strikeouts. He owns a 4.50 ERA and 1.40 WHIP while holding opposing batters to a .212 batting average. Yet the right hander has struggled through September after allowing at least one earned run in each of his last three appearances prior to Friday's bounceback where he tossed one strikeout in his scoreless inning.
If Beeter does not return to the majors this season, he will end the season with his third consecutive season eclipsing a 4.00 ERA and 1.20 WHIP to begin his MLB career.
What the Nationals opt to do in the closing spot this offseason will be among the long list of questions for president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and the front office to answer as Beeter has two years of club control before he is eligible for free agency.
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Beeter arrived with the Nationals back in July 2025 after agreeing to a trade ahead of the deadline with the New York Yankees in a deal that also netted outfielder Browm Martinez in exchange for infielder Amed Rosario . The 27 year old right hander made his MLB debut with the Yankees in September 2024 where he posted a scoreless outing in two of his three appearances.
After ending the seven game losing streak on Friday night, the Nationals will now look to string together consecutive wins in addition to winning the first series of the month when they face the Angles for game two on Saturday. Andrew Alvarez is set to take the mound with first pitch set for 4:05 PM as Washington looks to pick up wins during the five game homestand.
