*Photo from NBC Sports*
The Washington Nationals have released RHP Hunter Strickland, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN. The 6 year veteran was re-signed by Washington for one year and $1.6 million this winter. By releasing Strickland now, Washington will only have to pay $400,000 of his contract, one quarter of the amount of his contract. Strickland's release opens up a roster spot on the 40 man roster.
Washington's bullpen had the second highest ERA in the majors last season, and Strickland was unable to find his footing after being acquired by the Nats at last season's trade deadline. Strickland went 2-0 with a 5.14 ERA in 24 appearances for the Nats. He gave up 12 earned runs and struck out just 15 batters with 8 walks. In the entire 2019 season, Strickland went 2-1 with a 5.55 ERA in 28 appearances, notching two saves. He threw just 24 1/3 innings and gave up 15 runs on 18 strikeouts between the Nats and Seattle Mariners. In his career, Strickland has a 16-15 record with 3.16 ERA in 281 appearances over 250 1/3 innings pitched between Washington, Seattle, and the San Francisco Giants.
Strickland only threw two innings in the postseason, allowing homers to 3 of 11 batters he faced in the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His struggles in a Washington uniform continued into spring training, as he had a 10.80 ERA in 7 appearances in the spring. That's 9 runs in 6 2/3 innings pitched this spring. Strickland was coming off a grade two lat strain that caused him to miss 4 months of the 2019 season when he was acquired by Washington, and he wasn't the impact reliever that Washington wanted him to be.
The Nationals made a flurry of roster moves to go along with Strickland's release. RHP David Hernandez was also released by Washington. IF Jake Noll, LHP Ben Braymer, RHP Kyle McGowin, and RHP Aaron Barrett were optioned to Triple A Fresno. 3B Jacob Wilson, 3B Brandon Snyder, C Taylor Gushe, two way player JB Shuck, and RHP's Dakota Bacus, Bryan Bonnell, and Wil Crowe were all sent to minor league camp.
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