Washington Nationals right-hander Tanner Rainey, who returned late last year from Tommy John surgery, had a perfect inning in his Grapefruit League outing on Thursday and threw only nine pitches (six strikes). His fastball topped out at 92 mph, though, which was a bit alarming since he averaged 97 mph on his fastball before his elbow injury. However, the 31-year-old wasn't concerned, pointing out he's never thrown hard in spring training and has no doubts his full velocity will return by the start of the season. Rainey made just one appearance in 2023 and could have a high-leverage role in Washington's bullpen in 2024 if he stays healthy. He might be useful in deep holds leagues, but it's probably going to take an injury to Kyle Finnegan or Hunter Harvey for Rainey to get any save chances for a Nats team that isn't expected to be very good.
Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Rainey has avoided arbitration and signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract for the 2024 season. The right-hander made just a single relief appearance for the Nats in the 2023 campaign in his return from Tommy John surgery. He rebounded from a ghastly 7.39 ERA across 38 outings in the 2021 season to toss a 3.30 ERA across 29 appearances in the 2022 season before undergoing the UCL procedure on his right below. A veteran of 148 MLB appearances, the 30-year-old owns a career 5.40 ERA. However, he also sports a superior 4.10 SIERA while he has notched an ERA of 3.91 or better in three of his last four seasons. He should be featured often in the Nationals' bullpen in 2024.
Sean Doolittle, Tanner Rainey To Continue Rehabbing
Washington Nationals relief pitchers Sean Doolittle (elbow) and Tanner Rainey (elbow) will return to Florida to continue their respective elbow rehabs after the 2023 regular season begins. Doolittle is a little further along than Rainey, who is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. "He's building up strength, he's throwing," manager Dave Martinez said of Doolittle. "Actually he's throwing the ball really well. So hopefully we get him back soon. He's gonna go back and I think pretty soon he'll be throwing off the mound. But he's throwing the ball well. So I wanted him here. He's been through this before. He's gonna go to the (Homecoming) Gala with us. And I told him to stick around for Opening Day him and Rainey both. So they're going to be around for Opening Day and then they're going to take off and go back to Florida."
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Tanner Rainey (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. We already knew there was a pretty good chance that Rainey would miss the rest of the season with a UCL injury to his right elbow, but now it's official after the surgery. The 29-year-old will now miss the majority of the 2023 season as well as he recovers from elbow reconstruction. Rainey was solid for the Nats in 29 relief appearances in 2022 before his injury, posting a 3.30 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 12 saves and 36 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. Kyle Finnegan is now the team's primary closer, but he's a low-end fantasy closing option on the worst team in baseball, especially after they just traded away superstar outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell on Tuesday.
Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Rainey allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one across a scoreless inning to earn the save during Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. During Tuesday's game, he entered the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. The 29-year-old has now recorded a save over his last four appearances. He is 11-for-14 in save chances with a 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 30:11 K: BB over 25 innings Rainey should be rostered in all league formats for fantasy managers searching for saves as the right-hander is the primary closer for the Nationals.
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Tanner Rainey tossed a scoreless ninth inning during Sunday's victory over the Texas Rangers. The 29-year-old issued a walk to Josh Smith, but got Marcus Semien to ground out to end the game. This marked his 10th save of the season in 13 opportunities. Rainey has been fairly reliable this season, but the Nationals don't get many save opportunities these days. Possibly. Rainey gets moved at the trade deadline to a more competitive team.
Washington Nationals closer Tanner Rainey picked up his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Orioles. Rainey entered to pitch the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He struck the first two hitters out, allowed a single, and got the final out on a lineout. Rainey has pitched well overall this season, compiling a 3.27 ERA, 11.45 K/9 rate, and 3.27 BB/9 rate with three blown saves. The Nationals likely won't have a ton of save opportunities, which limits Rainey's fantasy value, but his solid job security makes him a worthwhile option in roto leagues.
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Tanner Rainey earned his fourth save of the season Wednesday, allowing one hit and one run to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a scoreless inning of work to preserve a 1-0 victory. While save opportunities have been hard to come by, it's clear that Rainey remains the top option for manager Davey Martinez. With his 2.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings, Rainey is worth rostering due to his role, but he will have limited upside for a team destined to finish in last place in the NL East.
Washington Nationals reliever Tanner Rainey picked up his third save of the season Tuesday, pitching the ninth inning of the 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He walked and struck out one and kept his season earned run total at zero. Over four innings this year, Rainey's issued just one walk, which is something that's plagued him during his career. Many thought Kyle Finnegan would keep the closer role after recording 11 saves last year over final two months. Not many would've predicted Rainey, if anybody, to steal the job after a disastrous season a year ago where he posted a 7.39 ERA over 31.2 innings. But, the 29-year-old earned Dave Martinez's trust during Spring Training and looks to be the official closer in D.C. Rainey's already awarding his bench boss and fantasy managers who took a chance on him.
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Tanner Rainey earned his second save of the year as he closed out the team's 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. Rainey pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit while striking out one batter. He is the only Nationals reliever to receive a save opportunity so far this year and he's converted both of his opportunities. Kyle Finnegan had been seen as a frontrunner for saves for the team going into the year, but he pitched the sixth inning in Wednesday's game. While the Nationals may wind up going with a committee, Rainey is no question the reliever who should be rostered by fantasy managers at this point.
