Despite key departures, new-look Nats bullpen has delivered

When the Nationals traded Hunter Harvey to the Royals, there was concern about replacing such an important member of the bullpen. When they traded Dylan Floro to the Diamondbacks, the challenge of getting the ball to closer Kyle Finnegan became even more daunting. And when Derek Law landed on the injured list, the situation looked downright bleak.

Now consider how well the Nats bullpen has actually performed despite those seemingly killer losses: Over the last two weeks, the remaining group owns a 1.95 ERA, tops in the majors.

It’s true. The team might be 5-9 during that span, but rarely has it been the bullpen’s fault, with only two of the losses charged to relievers. All this in spite of the fact manager Davey Martinez has been forced to adjust roles on the fly, often using inexperienced arms in situations of consequence out of necessity.

“All of these guys, they’ve just got to be ready,” Martinez said. “Mainly right now, it’s matchups and how we see fit.”

For much of the season’s first half, Martinez’s mid-to-late-game strategy was fairly simple. Finnegan was the closer, with Harvey the setup man. Floro usually pitched the seventh inning, unless the opponents had several left-handed hitters due up, in which case Robert Garcia would get the assignment. Law would be used prior to that point, often entering in the sixth or even fifth inning if needed.

Now, only Finnegan and Garcia remain from that group. Garcia has turned into more of a traditional setup man, regardless of matchups. The guy who has really seen his profile rise, though, is Jacob Barnes, the veteran right-hander who was mostly a mop-up man or long reliever in May, June and July but has suddenly become one of Martinez’s most trusted relievers in big situations. The 34-year-old has responded with a 3.35 ERA and 1.115 WHIP, with zero runs allowed over his last eight appearances.

“Jacob, who has done really well, he’s pitched in some high-leverage situations,” Martinez said. “What I love about Jacob is he can give you four or five outs, and he’s done a really good job.”

Barnes’ scoreless streak is up to 9 2/3 innings, same as Eduardo Salazar, the 26-year-old right-hander claimed off waivers earlier this summer who has delivered a 1.76 ERA in 11 games to date.

“I like Salazar because he sinks the ball, has a good slider,” Martinez said. “I view him like a younger Derek Law in certain situations.”

With Jose A. Ferrer and Joe La Sorsa joining Garcia, the Nationals now have three lefties in their bullpen for the first time this season. That opens the door for Martinez to play matchups a bit more and hold back Garcia for the late innings.

And then there’s Tanner Rainey, who after admittedly being babied most of the season as he returned from Tommy John surgery is finally pitching more regularly and in more situations of consequence. Rainey, whose ERA stood at an unsightly 7.77 at the end of June, has pitched to a 2.35 ERA over his last 15 appearances, including several close games late in the last few weeks.

“He’s done it before,” Martinez said of Rainey, who had 12 saves in 2022 before tearing his elbow ligament. “He’s done a way better job. He doesn’t have the velo he quite had, but he’s understanding how to pitch. He’s locating his fastball better, which is great.”