Jorge López is out as the Nationals' bullpen moves on
PHOENIX — The Washington Nationals' Opening Day bullpen featured four veterans. One, closer Kyle Finnegan, was a familiar face. The three others — Colin Poche, Lucas Sims and Jorge López — were newcomers asked to bridge the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.
All three are now gone after the Nationals designated López for assignment before Saturday night's game at the Arizona Diamondbacks. Poche was designated for assignment May 1 and elected to become a free agent three days later, and Sims was released May 10.
In Saturday's corresponding roster move, the Nationals recalled right-hander Eduardo Salazar from Class AAA Rochester. Salazar, 27, had pitched to a 1.74 ERA in nine appearances with the Red Wings after struggling to a 9.77 ERA in 17 outings for the Nationals. López, 32, posted a 6.57 ERA in 26 appearances.
'It was all about he has ups and downs so far this year,' Manager Dave Martinez said. 'It got to the point where you saw what [Brad] Lord did [in Friday's win, throwing scoreless seventh and eighth innings]. And I felt like now's the time to really try to focus and give our young kids a shot to go ahead and do what they've been doing.'
Sims, Poche and López combined to allow 48 earned runs in 45⅔ innings — a 9.46 ERA. Finnegan had a 2.61 ERA and 16 saves entering Saturday.
'Sometimes places aren't the right fit,' Martinez said. 'And I don't think this was the right fit for [López].'
López was on a one-year contract worth $3 million with performance incentives. Just over a year earlier — May 29, 2024 — the New York Mets designated him for assignment after he threw his glove into the stands following his ejection. On May 29 this year, Martinez had to make the unconventional decision to visit the mound himself to calm down López after the righty became heated while arguing balls and strikes. He proceeded to allow two runs, letting the Seattle Mariners tie the score before the Nationals won in 10 innings.
'It was tough,' Martinez said. 'I can't sit here and lie — I wasn't happy about that whole situation. He needs to focus. He needs to understand that, in situations like that, he needs to get to that next pitch.'
Cole Henry, Jackson Rutledge and Lord are expected to join Jose A. Ferrer as the Nationals' setup men, giving Martinez a chance to mix and match based on opponents' weaknesses. Salazar is likely to pitch in low-leverage situations for now.
'Just cleared my mind for a bit,' Salazar said through an interpreter of his stint with Rochester. '[I have to] be aggressive in the strike zone.'
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