Nationals Release Hunter Strickland
The Washington Nationals have released relief pitcher Hunter Strickland after a rough end of 2019, and Spring Training in 2020. The news was first announced by Jessica Camerato of MLB.com. Strickland was most notably one of the key bullpen pieces to the San Francisco Giants team who won the World Series in 2014. Over his five year career with the Giants, Strickland had a 2.91 ERA in 253 games pitched.
Strickland, acquired by the Nationals at the 2019 trade deadline, struggled in Spring Training thus far, allowing eight runs in just six innings pitched. After offseason additions such as Will Harris, and re-signing Daniel Hudson, the Nationals had limited spots remaining in the bullpen as Wander Suero and Tanner Rainey returned.
Strickland’s Time With the Nationals
Strickland, along with Roenis Elias, was acquired by the Nationals in a move to bolster the Nationals reeling bullpen. Having only appeared in four games with the Seattle Mariners due to a lat strain, the Nationals took a chance on Strickland to remain healthy for the final stretch of the season. After a strong August, where he had a 3.18 ERA, Strickland struggled in September, pitching to a 7.45 ERA.
In the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Strickland allowed four runs in just two innings. The Nationals left Strickland off the NLCS and World Series rosters. Despite these struggles, Strickland had a path back to the bullpen in 2020, but after allowing three home runs in Spring Training, the Nationals granted Strickland an unconditional release.
Other Nationals Moves
The Nationals made many other moves this afternoon. In addition to Strickland, the Nationals also released RHP David Hernandez and announced other minor league moves. The club assigned top five prospect, Wil Crowe, to MiLB camp after a solid Spring. Also, the Nationals assigned RHP Aaron Barrett to AAA following an emotional return to the Major League mound in 2019.
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