Citizens have finally decided how to deal with Sean Doolittle’s ongoing struggles.
They put him on the 10-day injury list on Thursday due to “right knee fatigue”. Doolittle has an ERA of 15.00, his speed is low, and he’s been hit hard at every point he’s pitched this season. However, only on Monday, Doolittle was labeled healthy by the organization.
Seth Romero was chosen to replace him. Romero, a lefty starter who will be in the bullpen, was the 2017 Nationals first round pick.
He was sent home from spring training in 2018 for an undisclosed violation of team rules before needing Tommy John surgery that same year. This year he worked at the alternative training site in Fredericksburg before being added to the Nationals’ five-man cab team for their first road trip of the 2020 regular season.
Romero’s duty clock will not be affected by being placed on the active roster. Any player who debuts after the sixth day of the season will not receive credits for a full year, allowing the organization to maintain six full years of control before a player can become a free agent.
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The Nationals had 39 players on their 40-man roster. So, they had a space for Romero without needing to edit the list. They just needed to make space on the 28-man active roster.
The team is in dire need of help for left-handed pitchers. Sam Freeman was injured on Wednesday night against the Mets and is ready for the season with a flexor problem. Freeman told Davey Martinez he “felt something crackle” in his elbow on Wednesday.
Roenis Elías was added to the 60-day injury list two weeks ago due to a strained flexor. Martinez said Thursday that Elías was recently shut down again after a setback during launch. It will not return this season.
So, Romero is inside. The internationals will try to get Doolittle right. I’m also probably on the hunt for more left-handed help.
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