Derek Law

Fantasy News

• Nationals' Derek Law: Won't be ready for Opening Day

  Rotowire Mar 22, 2025

  Law (elbow) said Saturday that he doesn't believe he'll be ready for the start of the season, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports. Law has been brought along slowly this spring, as lingering issues from an elbow injury he suffered late last season have followed him into camp. The Nats still haven't decided whether to put him on the injured list, though that seems like the most likely outcome at this point. Once healthy, the 34-year-old righty will likely be used often out of the bullpen, as he's expressed interest in breaking the franchise record for most innings pitched by a reliever (93).

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• Nationals' Derek Law: Taking aim at workload record

  Rotowire Mar 10, 2025

  Law has made it his goal to break the Nationals' franchise record for innings pitched in a season by a reliever, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports. The 34-year-old right-hander handled 90 innings last season, the most by a Washington reliever in the regular season since Tyler Clippard in 2010 and just three frames shy of Saul Rivera's record, set in 2007. As a result of that elevated workload, Law has been brought along slowly in camp and pitched to batters for the first time Monday on a back field, tossing 30 pitches. There's still time for him to get in Grapefruit League action before Opening Day as he prepares for work as a setup man ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan -- in addition to his 90 innings in 2024 being a career high, Law's 17 holds were also a personal best.

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• Nationals' Derek Law: Role not yet settled

  Rotowire Feb 23, 2025

  Law figures to be part of the Nationals' high-leverage crew this season, but it's not clear if he'll get a chance to audition for the open closer role. Speaking to reporters earlier in camp, general manager Mike Rizzo indicated that Law would be a key bullpen piece for Washington, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "We don't have a proven commodity at that position, but if the season started today, we would have a guy that we would say would be our ninth-inning guy," Rizzo said. "I don't know who it is yet. It could be Jose Ferrer. It could be Jorge Lopez. Law could have some leverage innings. And it could come from somebody that we haven't thought about yet." The latter category might also include Lucas Sims, who signed with the team earlier this week. Law has mainly been a middle reliever during a big-league career that stretches back to 2016, but he is coming off one of his best statistical seasons, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:24 K:BB over 90 innings with career highs in appearances (75), wins (seven) and holds (17).

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• Nationals' Derek Law: Receives $2.75 million

  Rotowire Jan 9, 2025

  The Nationals and Law avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Law was one of Washington's most reliable relievers in 2024, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:24 K:BB over 90 innings. He could be in the mix for saves in 2025 as things stand right now, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Nationals bring in a closer from outside the organization.

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• Nationals' Derek Law: Activated from injured list

  Rotowire Sep 2, 2024

  The Nationals activated Law (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Law has been shelved since mid-August with ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching elbow but recently faced hitters with no issues, clearing the way for his return. The veteran reliever will return to a middle-relief role for the Nationals.

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• Nationals' Derek Law: Throwing live BP

  Rotowire Aug 30, 2024

  Law (elbow) will throw to live hitters Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports. The right-hander has been sidelined since Aug. 17 with ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow. It's unclear if Law will need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the IL.

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• Nationals' Derek Law: MRI comes back clean

  Rotowire Aug 20, 2024

  The MRI on Law's right elbow revealed only ulnar nerve irritation, but he hasn't been cleared to throw yet, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Law was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a strained right elbow, and Tuesday's MRI confirmed he isn't dealing with any structural damage. The 33-year-old took part in fielding drills Tuesday but hasn't been cleared to throw. A timeline for his return hasn't been announced.

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• Nationals' Derek Law: Picks up first save

  Rotowire Jul 4, 2024

  Law threw a scoreless ninth inning to get his first save of the season in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Mets. The Nationals' regular closer, Kyle Finnegan, had thrown in each of their last three games, which explains Law getting the save opportunity Thursday. The 33-year-old has been serviceable this season with a 3.18 ERA in 51 innings but doesn't offer much fantasy upside while primarily working as a middle reliever.

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• Nationals' Derek Law: Records win Sunday

  Rotowire Apr 29, 2024

  Law (2-1) picked up the win in Sunday's comeback victory over the Marlins, pitching two scoreless innings and allowing two hits. He struck out three without walking a batter. Patrick Corbin got chased after coughing up seven runs (four earned) in four innings, but Law steadied the ship in the fifth and sixth and watched the Nationals offense come to life, erasing a 7-0 deficit. The 33-year-old right-hander remains in a low-leverage role, but he's pitched reasonable well to begin the season with a 3.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB through 18 innings.

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• Derek Law: Cut loose by Reds

  Rotowire Nov 17, 2023

  Law was non-tendered by Cincinnati on Friday. Law posted a solid 3.60 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 55 innings this past year for the Reds, but they have opted to avoid paying him a raise in salary arbitration. The veteran reliever was projected to command around $1.4 million in 2024. He is now a free agent.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Notches second save

  Rotowire Sep 17, 2023

  Law gave up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Mets. With Alexis Diaz having pitched three of the prior four days, Reds manager David Bell had to get creative to protect a late lead, and Fernando Cruz worked the seventh and eighth innings before handing the ball off to Law. The right-hander made things interesting, serving up singles to Daniel Vogelbach and Francisco Alvarez, but he got Pete Alonso to ground out to escape the jam. Law has been struggling lately, posting a 10.80 ERA and 2.52 WHIP over his last 10 appearances, and his last hold or save prior to Saturday came July 3, so he's unlikely to see regular high-leverage duty down the stretch.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Makes return from IL

  Rotowire Jul 2, 2023

  The Reds reinstated Law (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Sunday. Law will rejoin the Reds ahead of their series finale against the Padres after he had been on the shelf for the past six weeks with a mild flexor mass strain. Cincinnati gave Law the green light to rejoin its bullpen after he struck out four batters over three scoreless innings across his three rehab appearances in the minors.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Moves rehab to Triple-A

  Rotowire Jun 28, 2023

  Law (elbow) had his rehab assignment transferred Wednesday to Triple-A Louisville. Law is one step away from returning to the Reds' bullpen following what has already been a five-week absence for a right elbow flexor mass strain. He had pitched to a 2.57 ERA in 21 innings for the Reds prior to the IL stint and worked a perfect rehab frame on 14 pitches this past Sunday at High-A Dayton.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Lands on IL with elbow sprain

  Rotowire May 19, 2023

  Cincinnati placed Law on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to May 17, with a right elbow sprain. Law has delivered an impressive 2.57 ERA through 21 innings this season, at times working as an opener, so this is a fairly significant blow to the Reds' staff. It's unclear how long he might be sidelined.

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• Reds' Derek Law: To work as opener Thursday

  Rotowire May 10, 2023

  Law will work as the Reds' opening pitcher Thursday against the Mets, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Law has a 3.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 18 strikeouts in 18 innings this season. He has recorded four or more outs in five of his 17 appearances. Ben Lively will likely work as the primary pitcher after Law covers an inning or two, per Sheldon.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Falls to 0-2

  Rotowire Apr 10, 2023

  Law (0-2) was charged with a loss and a blown save against Atlanta on Monday. He did not record an out. The 32-year-old had the chance to save a 4-3 game in the 10th inning but promptly gave up a two-run shot to Sean Murphy on his first pitch. Law had a save and a hold through three scoreless appearances but has now been tagged with four runs and a pair of losses in his last two games. Alexis Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth inning Monday.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Added to Opening Day roster

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2023

  The Reds selected Law's contract Thursday. Law won an Opening Day bullpen spot in Cincinnati and could quickly rise into a prominent setup role. Alexis Diaz is of course the clear frontrunner for saves.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Pitches way on to Opening Day squad

  Rotowire Mar 27, 2023

  The Reds informed Law on Sunday that he has won a spot on the Opening Day roster, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Since Law had been attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee, the Reds will have to open up room for him on the 40-man roster prior to Thursday's season opener versus the Pirates. The 32-year-old journeyman right-hander likely entered spring training on the outside looking in for a spot in Cincinnati's Opening Day bullpen, but he earned a roster berth after striking out 10 while churning out a 1.23 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in 7.1 innings. Law may start the season in a middle-relief role, but if he carries over his strong run of form from spring training into April, he could quickly settle in as one of the top setup men for closer Alexis Diaz.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Back with Cincinnati

  Rotowire Jan 23, 2023

  Law re-signed Monday with the Reds on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training. Law elected free agency in November after the Reds dropped him from their 40-man roster, but he'll be rejoining the organization in 2023 and will get the chance to battle for a spot in the big club's Opening Day bullpen. The 32-year-old right-hander made 17 appearances in the majors in 2022 between Cincinnati and Detroit, logging a 4.12 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 19.2 innings.

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• Reds' Derek Law: Designated for assignment

  Rotowire Nov 15, 2022

  Law was designated for assignment by the Reds on Tuesday. Splitting time between Detroit and Cincinnati last season, Law was dominant out of the bullpen, recording a 1.13 ERA through his first 13 appearances. His ERA then shot up to 17.18 over his final four appearances. Should Law clear waivers, he will have to regroup in Triple-A before the Reds bring him back into their bullpen.

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