Kuhl designated for assignment, Espino recalled from Triple-A

SAN DIEGO – The Nationals parted ways with Chad Kuhl today, designating the struggling right-hander for assignment and recalling Paolo Espino from Triple-A Rochester to take his roster spot.

The club had been hoping Kuhl might turn things around as a long man in their bullpen, but the 30-year-old was in a sustained rut, his ERA climbing to 8.45 following a four-run appearance during Friday night’s blowout loss to the Padres.

The move was particularly tough for manager Davey Martinez on a personal level, given how much the Nationals have done to help Kuhl’s wife, Amanda, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. The Kuhls established the “Cancer Isn’t Kuhl” campaign in April in partnership with Washington Nationals Philanthropies and have raised tens of thousands of dollars for breast cancer treatment and research since.

“The toughest part of my job is letting guys go when you start building these relationships with them,” Martinez said. “It’s hard. I know he gave it his all. It just didn’t work out.”

Initially signed to a minor league contract in January, Kuhl came to big league camp this spring and earned a spot in the Opening Day rotation after top prospect Cade Cavalli needed Tommy John surgery. A six-year major league veteran with the Pirates and Rockies, he struggled from the get-go and had a 9.41 ERA in five starts before landing on the 15-day injured list with a foot ailment.

The Nats hoped Kuhl might be better served pitching out of the bullpen when he returned, but aside from an unexpected save conversion on May 26 in Kansas City, he struggled in that role as well and was scored upon in six of his last nine appearances.

It all came to a head Friday night when Kuhl allowed four runs on four hits, a walk and a wild pitch during a 13-3 loss to the Padres.

“His stuff is good,” Martinez said. “I look back at yesterday, and he was throwing 99 (mph). Obviously, he’s got a lot going on. But I just hope for his sake, it works out and he gets picked up by another team and he’s pitching again. Unbelievable person. His whole family is. He was here, he gave everything he had and I wish him all the best.”

Espino joins the Nationals for the first time this season, but he’s no stranger to this pitching staff. The 36-year-old spent the majority of the 2021 season and all of the 2022 season on their big league roster, succeeding at times as a valuable swingman who could both start and relieve but struggling in particular when asked to face a lineup more than once in a given game.

Despite his advanced age, Espino still had minor league options this spring and was sent down to Triple-A at the end of camp. The Nats had him work exclusively as a starter, wanting him to be ready in case they needed rotation help. In 11 starts with Rochester, he went 3-2 with a 4.56 ERA and 1.358 WHIP.

As it turns out, the need now is out of the bullpen. Espino is more than comfortable shifting back into that role.

“I’m feeling good,” he said. “Arm is feeling good. And I’ll be ready to throw anything. As long as they hand me the ball and they don’t take it from me, I’ll be out there.”