67 Kyle Finnegan RP

Finnegan struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday during a 3-2 loss to the Marlins.

The 28-year-old rookie, signed out of the Oakland system in the offseason, has been a find for the Nats. Finnegan has a 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB through nine innings to begin his career, and while he started out in a low-leverage role, he's quickly become a key part of manager Dave Martinez's bullpen, picking up his first career hold Tuesday.

The Nationals recalled Finnegan from Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday.

Finnegan will be part of the Nationals' expanded 30-man Opening Day roster after he was previously demoted to the minors in March, at which time teams were only allowed to carry 26 men into the opener. Though he'll benefit from the extra roster flexibility, Finnegan likely won't see much use in key spots out of the bullpen right away, given that he has yet to make his MLB debut. The 28-year-old posted a 2.31 ERA and 72:19 K:BB across 50.2 innings between stops at Triple-A Las Vegas and Double-A Midland while he was a member of the Athletics organization in 2019.

Finnegan credits a lower arm slot for his career-best performance in 2019, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Until last season, the 28-year-old threw nearly straight over the top, but after a suggestion from Oakland's minor-league pitching coordinator last spring, he lowered his slot and found that it added movement to his fastball while also improving his command. "It just kind of clicked right away," Finnegan said. While he'd already been optioned to Double-A Harrisburg before spring training was put on pause, the right-hander could still be in the mix for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen as part of an expanded Nats roster.

Finnegan was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Finnegan was in the mix for one of the team's final bullpen spots but failed to seize the opportunity, posting a 5.40 ERA and 3:3 K:BB through five innings before spring training was suspended. The right-hander figures to make his big-league debut in 2020 if he continues to impress in the upper minors.

Finnegan posted a 5.40 ERA and 3:3 K:BB through five innings before spring training was suspended.

The right-hander headed into spring looking to crack a big-league roster for the first time, but Finnegan was underwhelming in Grapefruit League action. He put up strong numbers in the high minors in 2019, however, and the 28-year-old remains in the mix for one of the final spots in the bullpen when MLB resumes play.

Finnegan signed a major-league deal with the Nationals on Sunday.

Finnegan spent the entirety of his minor-league career with the Athletics, splitting the last three seasons between Double-A and Triple-A. The 28-year-old posted a 2.31 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 72:19 K:BB with 14 saves in 16 chances over 50.2 innings between the two levels in 2019. Finnegan is still looking to make his major-league debut after switching from a starter to a reliever in 2016.

Finnegan was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Finnegan failed to impress during his brief stint with the major-league club, allowing six runs over his lone inning of action. The 27-year-old right-hander split time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2018, although he found more success in Double-A with the Rockhounds (2.16 ERA over 25.0 frames).