How does Reynaldo Lopez figure into Nats' 2017 plans?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Reynaldo Lopez, who impressed in his abbreviated rookie stint.

PLAYER REVIEW: REYNALDO LOPEZ

Age on opening day 2017: 23

How acquired: Signed as amateur free agent, June 2012

MLB service time: 43 days

2016 salary: $507,500

Contract status: Under club control in 2017, arbitration-eligible in 2020, free agent in 2023.

2016 stats: 5-3, 4.91 ERA, 11 G, 6 GS, 0 CG, 44 IP, 47 H, 27 R, 24 ER, 2 HR, 22 BB, 42 SO, 0 HBP, 1.568 WHIP, -0.1 WAR

Quotable: "We liked Reynaldo from the day he got here, even though we had to send him back a couple of times, because that's what happens. He's pitched. He's really, really pitched." - Dusty Baker on Reynaldo Lopez

2016 analysis: The Nationals did not expect Reynaldo Lopez to figure prominently into the picture this season. If the young pitching prospect did reach the big leagues, it probably would have been for a quick look-see, not much more.

As it turned out, the Nationals needed more than that from Lopez. After Joe Ross and Stephen Strasburg went on the disabled list, and after No. 1 prospect Lucas Giolito looked less-than-ready for the majors, Lopez got the call in the middle of a pennant race.

He made two spot starts in August, showing off his impressive repertoire but not fooling big league hitters as much as the Nats hoped. He looked far better in two August starts against an admittedly weak Braves team, then struggled against the better Orioles and Mets after that.

Lopez did, however, find something of a groove in September as a long reliever, including 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Pirates on the night the Nationals clinched the division title. Those late performances earned him a spot on the postseason roster. He wound up pitching two innings in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium.

2017 outlook: The Nationals view Lopez as a long-term starter, one with a repertoire that rivals just about any pitcher in the game. But they also acknowledge he may ultimately wind up in the bullpen, perhaps even in a short-inning role in which he could cut loose with everything he's got and not try to conserve himself for a long outing.

For now, the plan appears to continue grooming him as a starter. Barring an offseason trade or spring training injury, there won't be an open spot in the opening day rotation for either him or Giolito, so he may well be ticketed for Triple-A Syracuse come April.

But given what we all know about pitching staffs and attrition over the course of a season, there's no doubt Lopez will figure into the picture in D.C. at some point in 2017. His performance at that point, whether he learns how to consistently harness his stuff over six-plus innings or whether he's better in shorter bursts, will dictate how long he remains on the staff and in what role.