Nationals RP Heath Bell attributes struggles to 'really bad luck'

Since leaving the Padres after the 2011 season, three-time All-Star reliever Heath Bell has had his fair share of struggles. The veteran right-handed pitcher has gone 10-8 with a 4.91 ERA and 34 saves since 2012 for the Marlins, Diamondbacks and Rays.

Bell is now seeking redemption after a few down years, but he will need to pitch his way back into the majors, as he heads to spring training on a minor-league deal with the Nationals.

"I think the last three years I’ve had really bad luck," Bell told The Washington Post. "And I haven’t been hitting my spots. I take ownership for what I’ve done. I feel like I’ve done an okay job but I haven’t in other aspects and need to be a lot better.

"I need to go to Washington this year, come to spring training and show that I can get people out and deserve to be on the team and go out there and give it my all. If [Manager] Matt Williams and the coaches there think I can help the ballclub out, then great. I think they think I can help. That’s why I went to D.C. and that’s why they’re interested. Now I need to go out there, shut up and do it on the field."

Bell's struggles began in 2012 with the Marlins after he signed a three-year, $27 million deal. He said "something happened" to him mechanically with the Marlins that he "couldn't get back from it."

However, Bell said he made some tweaks to his mechanics and pitching style, and added he finally feels comfortable again.

“My arm feels amazing,” he said. “It feels really good. A lot better than it has in the past. I’ve done stuff that I haven’t done in years.”