Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Not ruled out for 2023 cameo
Rotowire
Rainey (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list before the end of the regular season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander is in the final stages of his recovery from last year's Tommy John surgery, and he's expected to throw a couple bullpen sessions this week during Washington's final homestand of the season before a decision is made on whether to activate him from the 60-day IL. "I know [pitching coach Jim] Hickey wants to see him throw up here and then see where he's at, and then we'll go from there," manager Dave Martinez said Friday. "I don't want to shut him down, I want him to continue pitching. There could be a chance that he comes up here, pitches one or two games. We'll see when that day comes." Rainey recorded 12 saves in 2022 before landing on the injured list in July, and he figures to be part of the Nats' high-leverage mix in 2024.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Remains on rehab assignment
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Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Rainey (elbow) will "get a few more outings" on his minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.
Rainey has a bit of achiness in his right arm, but Martinez labeled it as "the norm" for a pitcher who went a full calendar year between live appearances. Now more than 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, the 30-year-old reliever has posted a 5.14 ERA and 8:6 K:BB in seven rehab innings between the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Single-A Fredericksburg, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Rehab moved up to Triple-A
Rotowire
Rainey (elbow) has been transferred to Triple-A Rochester to continue his rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rainey has allowed two runs with a 5:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings in his first five rehab appearances, including three scoreless outings in his last stop with Double-A Harrisburg. He has not yet pitched on back-to-back days, something he'll need to show he can do before making his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Ready for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Rainey (elbow) is heading out on a rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg this upcoming week, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
He threw a bullpen session Sunday after facing live hitters Friday. Rainey is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, so his rehab assignment could be lengthier than that of the typical injured relief pitcher. Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey (elbow) should be handling the save opportunities over the rest of the season, so Rainey will likely be activated into a setup role, assuming he makes it back this year.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Will throw to live hitters
Rotowire
Rainey (elbow) is set to throw to live hitters Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rainey is in the final stages of returning from Tommy John surgery. He made a rehab appearance in the Florida Complex League on Monday, where he pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. Now set to throw to live hitters at Nationals Park, the 30-year-old will throw 35-to-40 pitches. Given that he has only begun facing live hitters, a return to the big-league bullpen is not imminent, but he could be back in a couple weeks if he avoids setbacks.
Rainey (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Nationals' Florida Complex League affiliate on Monday.
Rainey is finally game-ready following a long road back from Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing reliever will eventually work his way up to higher affiliates and figures to need a good number of appearances before rejoining the Nationals' bullpen.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Moves to simulated work
Rotowire
Rainey (elbow) is scheduled to make a simulated appearance Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Rainey is almost 12 full months removed from Tommy John surgery and could get into a handful of games for the Nationals before their 2023 season comes to an end. He's under club control through 2025 but might be a trade candidate this winter if he's able to prove his health.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Throws side session
Rotowire
Rainey (elbow) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Friday without issue, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez suggested that Rainey might get into minor-league games before the All-Star break, which would be a little less than 12 months after his Tommy John surgery in early August 2022. He's made swift progress and could perhaps factor into the saves mix in Washington by the end of the year, given that neither Kyle Finnegan nor Hunter Harvey have distinguished themselves in a high-leverage role.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Throwing off mound
Rotowire
Rainey (elbow) threw 10 pitches off a mound Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Rainey continues to make steady progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last August. The current hope is that he might be able to return to the Nationals' bullpen toward the end of the 2023 regular season.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Officially on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Nationals placed Rainey (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Rainey hopes to return in the latter portion of this season while he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, but it's not a guarantee. The Nationals were able to clear a 40-man roster spot with this transaction.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Will continue rehab in Florida
Rotowire
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday that Rainey (elbow) will continue his rehab at the team's spring training complex, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rainey is with the Nats in D.C. ahead of Opening Day on Thursday, but he'll head back to Florida on Friday. The 30-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last August and should not be counted on for any sort of fantasy production in 2023, even if he achieves his goal of making it back before September.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Progressing in throwing program
Rotowire
Rainey (elbow) is currently throwing from 60 feet away as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Rainey is currently in the third week of his throwing program. The right-hander's goal is to return to the diamond by Aug. 3, which is the 12-month mark from when he underwent the surgery. When Rainey returns to the Nationals, it's possible he could see save opportunities, but he can safely be ignored in redraft fantasy formats at this point.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Avoids arbitration
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Rainey (elbow) and the Nationals agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rainey underwent Tommy John surgery in early August, so he'll make no more than a handful of appearances this season if he makes it back at all. Kyle Finnegan remains the favorite to close games in his absence.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Notches 12th save
Rotowire
Rainey tossed a perfect ninth inning while striking out two on his way to his 12th save in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Phillies.
Rainey made quick work of the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth frame, retiring them in order while striking out two on his way to his 12th save of the year. The closer produced a scoreless outing after he had allowed three runs over two frames in his last two appearances, including a blown save against Miami on Sunday. Rainey has now converted 12 of 16 save opportunities this season and owns a 3.54 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 36 punchouts over 28 innings in 28 appearances.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Secures 11th save
Rotowire
Rainey earned the save during Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Pirates with a scoreless ninth inning. He allowed a hit and a walk and had one strikeout.
The right-hander surrendered a one-out walk and a two-out single but kept Pittsburgh off the board with a strikeout to end the game. Rainey has now picked up saves in his past four appearances without giving up a run, and overall he has a 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB over 25 innings while going 11-for-14 in save chances.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Earns 10th save
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Rainey got three outs in the bottom of the ninth while striking out one to earn his 10th save of the season.
Rainey got three outs to close the game and move to double-digit saves on the year. The Nationals didn't expect to need Rainey in this contest, but Francisco Perez gave up three runs without recording an out in the ninth to make it a save situation before being pulled from the game. The Nationals don't have many bullpen options, so Rainey should continue to see the team's highest-leverage situations despite posting a 4.70 ERA in June.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Blows third save
Rotowire
Rainey (1-2) blew his third save of the season and took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals fell 2-1 to the Marlins in 10 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits while recording only one out.
All the scoring occurred in the 10th, as the Nats grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the frame before Rainey let it slip away. The loss wasn't entirely on him, however, as the tying run scored after video review when Keibert Ruiz was ruled to have blocked the plate and not allowed a clear lane for Jazz Chisholm. Nonetheless, Rainey is now a mediocre 7-for-10 in converting save chances this season to go along with a 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 17.2 innings.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Picks up seventh save
Rotowire
Rainey gave up a solo home run among two hits while striking out two in the ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in a 10-8 win over the Reds.
Handed a three-run lead after the Nationals' offense came to life in the final frames, Rainey needed the cushion after he served up a solo shot to Brandon Drury. It was the first homer Rainey has allowed this season, and the right-hander will take a 2.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 17.1 innings into his next appearance.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Secures fifth save
Rotowire
Rainey retired all five batters he faced in Sunday's win over Colorado. He struck out three and earned a save.
The 29-year-old entered the game with one out in the eighth inning after Kyle Finnegan allowed a pair of runs in the frame. Rainey needed just 18 pitches (16 strikes) to finish off the game and earn his fifth save of the year. Rainey lowered his season ERA to 2.35, and he's currently on a 4.2-inning scoreless streak after he was tagged with six runs (four earned) in his previous three appearances.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Collects fourth save
Rotowire
Rainey gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his fourth save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Dodgers.
It wasn't the sharpest outing, as Rainey needed 19 pitches (10 strikes) to work his way through the bottom of the Los Angeles order, but he was able to get the job done and pick up his first save since April 19 after blowing his first two chances in May. The right-hander will carry a 2.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB through 12.2 innings into his next appearance.
