Nationals' Hunter Harvey: Sent to minors

Washington optioned Harvey to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Harvey, a 2013 first-round draft pick, is likely one of the top arms in the Washington bullpen from a talent standpoint, but myriad injury concerns have limited him to fewer than 35 regular-season innings pitched in six of the last seven campaigns. He was tending to a triceps injury earlier this spring before being waived by the Giants and subsequently claimed by the Nationals. Harvey looks to be healthy again, but Washington may want him to get some more appearances under his belt at Triple-A before considering him as an option for the big-league bullpen. The Nationals' closer picture looks unsettled at the moment, so Harvey could factor into the mix at some point if health prevails and if he's able to make bats miss at the prolific rate he did during his brief stint with Baltimore at the tail end of the 2019 season.