Rainey gets another chance with Nats, Suero sent down

In their never-ending quest to find some combination of relievers who can provide quality work late in games, the Nationals recalled Tanner Rainey from Triple-A before today's game against the Rockies and optioned Wander Suero to Rochester.

Whether that one transaction makes a significant impact for a bullpen that is running on fumes as the season winds down remains to be seen. But Rainey's experience and recent success in the minors were enough to convince club officials to bring him back up and hope it translates to the major league level.

"Rainey was healthy and he's been throwing the ball well," manager Davey Martinez said in his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "So I wanted to get him back up here and get him to finish up strong here."

It's been a miserable season for Rainey, who was supposed to be among the Nationals' most reliable late-inning relievers, but was beset by multiple injuries, a stint on the COVID-19 injured list and strict performance struggles, all of it leading to a 7.62 ERA and 1.81 WHIP In 32 big league appearances.

During his most recent stint in Rochester, though, Rainey may have discovered something. He tossed four scoreless and hitless innings, allowing just one walk. And in each of his last three appearances, he struck out the side, including on back-to-back outings Wednesday and Thursday.

With only two weeks to go this season, there's only minimal time for Rainey to turn things around. But a strong finish could help reshape the right-hander's mindset heading into 2022.

"I want to get him on track," Martinez said. "I want him to leave this year on a high note and know that he's healthy, and that he can start his winter program. He worked really hard to get back. He didn't want to leave and go into the winter hurt, so he worked diligently to get back. And he had some nice outings over the last week."

Rainey's return comes at Suero's expense, the right-hander demoted again after failing to take advantage of his recent second chance to right his own wayward season. In seven appearances since Aug. 31, he's allowed seven runs (six earned) in 8 1/3 innings, serving up three homers.

"We want him to continue to get some work," Martinez said. "The biggest thing is cutter location. Work on his breaking ball; it was better, but we want him to continue working at it. And his changeup, we want him to throw it a little slower. It's still like 88-89 mph, we want to get it down to about 86 (mph). I know (pitching coach Jim Hickey) talked to him a little bit about his grip, so he's going to go down and work on that."