The Washington Nationals had did everything they possibly could to help right-handed reliever Trevor Rosenthal. Now after another horrendous outing, the club has released the 29-year old Sunday.
Rosenthal was removed from high-pressure situations in April after starting the season off without recording an out in his first four appearances out of the bullpen. The change only placed a band-aid over the situation. He ultimately was sent down to the minors for four weeks to get on track with a 36.00 ERA.
He returned to the team Jun. 10 and got through his first three non-pressure outings allowing just one run. With a taxed bullpen on Friday holding on to a one-run lead with two outs in the eighth against the first-place Atlanta Braves, Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez turned to Rosenthal to get a key out against slugger Austin Riley.
Rosenthal got the budding star to ground out to end the inning. However, Saturday night when asked to protect an 8-4 lead in the seventh, the Rosenthal of old re-emerged.
Rosenthal walked all three batters he faced to load the bases without ever recording an out before being pulled for Tanner Rainey. Unfortunately, Rainey, couldn’t hold the runners as he walked in a run and then gave up a three-run double to Freddie Freeman to tie the game.
Rosenthal was charged with three earned runs, leading to a large outcry over Twitter.
The Nationals had seen enough. Rosenthal was given many chances in large due to the $7 million Washington was on the hook for him. However, they need wins.
With his release, Trevor Rosenthal finishes his time with Washington with a 22.74 ERA which turns out to be historically bad.
The Nationals announced they have re-called right-hander Austin Voth in a corresponding move.
