The Washington Nationals own a comfortable lead in the National League East and are almost certainly playoff bound this season. But their infirmary continues to grow, with reliever Ryan Madson the latest to go down.
Nationals’ latest nagging injury is Ryan Madson to the 10-day DL
The right-hander has yet to allow a run since his July 16 trade.
Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Madson was placed on the 10-day disabled list before Thursday’s road game against the San Diego Padres with a right finger sprain, coinciding with right-hander Shawn Kelley returning from the DL.
At the moment, the Nationals are without outfielders Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, and Adam Eaton, as well as shortstop Trea Turner and starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, though all are expected to be ready before the playoffs.
With a 13 ½-game lead over the Miami Marlins entering Thursday, Washington has the cushion to let its players heal. The Nationals are projected with a 100-percent chance to win the National League East per FanGraphs, with Baseball Prospectus slightly less optimistic, at 99.9 percent.
The Nationals have had a large divisional lead pretty much all season, but even with their stellar record they had a clear weakness earlier in the year in the bullpen. Before the All-Star break, Washington relievers had a 5.20 ERA and a strikeout rate of 20.7 percent.
A pair of trades have bolstered the relief corps in the nation’s capital. Madson and Sean Doolittle were acquired from the Oakland Athletics on July 16, and the Nationals got Brandon Kintzler from the Minnesota Twins on July 31.
Since the All-Star break, Nationals relievers have a collective 3.83 ERA and a 25.6-percent strikeout rate, a marked improvement from the first half.
The trio of acquisitions have been even better, combining for a 1.50 ERA with Washington, with 30 strikeouts and eight walks in 30 innings. Madson has been the best of the group with nine scoreless innings and 13 strikeouts against just one walk, holding batters to just .161/.212/.290 with his new team.
The DL move for Madson was made retroactive to Monday, meaning the earliest he could be activated is Aug. 24.
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