The Nationals transferred Parker (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Parker is likely to undergo Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 UCL sprain in his left elbow, so the Nationals will stash him away on the 60-day IL for the rest of the season. The move creates space on the 40-man roster for Kyle Nicolas, who was acquired from Baltimore on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Likely to have Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Parker has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 UCL sprain in his left elbow and is likely to undergo Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
A full Tommy John repair could sideline Parker until 2028, though he would have a chance to make it back late in the 2027 season if all goes well. The left-hander has collected a 6.58 ERA and 34:13 K:BB over 39.2 innings out of the Washington bullpen this season. Parker is slated for arbitration eligibility for the first time this coming offseason, though he could be a non-tender candidate.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Shelved by elbow inflammation
Rotowire
The Nationals placed Parker on the 15-day injured list Monday with left elbow inflammation.
Parker was forced from an appearance Sunday versus the Orioles due to the injury. While the injury designation is listed as inflammation, it's not clear whether Parker might still need to undergo testing to rule out a more serious injury. The southpaw has collected a 6.58 ERA and 34:13 K:BB over 39.2 innings out of the Washington bullpen this season.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Exits relief appearance with injury
Rotowire
Parker exited in the bottom of the seventh inning during his relief appearance in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Orioles due to left elbow discomfort, MLB.com reports. The left-hander struck out two and gave up two runs on two hits and one walk over 1.2 innings before departing the game.
Parker entered Sunday's game in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Nationals ahead 5-2, but despite surrendering a two-run home run in the appearance, he came away with his seventh hold of the season. The Nationals likely were counting on Parker to finish out the seventh inning, but he was lifted with two outs in the frame after he was in noticeable discomfort following a four-pitch walk. Manager Blake Butera said after the game that Parker won't be available for Monday's series opener against Pittsburgh and will be re-evaluated Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Nationals recalled Parker from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
He's absorbing the roster and bullpen spot vacated by Jackson Rutledge. Parker boasts a 16:3 K:BB over 13.1 innings in his first three starts with Rochester this season, though that's come with a 6.08 ERA. The lefty will give the bullpen some length behind Tuesday's scheduled starter, Miles Mikolas, who's lasted a total of just 7.1 frames over his last two starts.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Shifting to bullpen
Rotowire
The Nationals have demoted Parker to the bullpen, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Parker has a 7.19 ERA in the second half and a 5.85 ERA over 30 starts for the Nationals this season. He should get another opportunity to compete for a spot in the rotation next season, but for the rest of this year he'll likely be a low-leverage reliever. The Nationals had been using a six-man rotation and will now revert to a traditional five-man setup.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Pummeled in loss
Rotowire
Parker (8-16) suffered the loss Monday against Atlanta, coughing up six runs on 10 hits and one walk over five innings with one strikeout.
The Washington southpaw turned in his third appearance allowing double-digit hits this season while conceding six or more runs for the sixth time. Parker's tough campaign has been downright brutal since the All-Star break, as he's produced a 7.19 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 35:17 K:BB across 56.1 innings in the second half. Through 158.1 total frames, the 25-year-old now sports an unsightly 5.85 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 5.7 K/9. Parker is currently scheduled to next take the mound on the road against the Mets this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Earns win with quality start
Rotowire
Parker (8-15) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over 7.2 innings Tuesday, striking out two and earning a win over the Marlins.
Parker gave up one run through seven innings before the Marlins scored a second run in the eighth inning. Prior to that, the only damage against him was Joey Wiemer's solo shot in the second. Parker earned his first win since July 26 after going 0-5 with a dreadful 9.28 ERA over his last seven appearances. Tuesday's outing marked his first time completing at least seven innings since April 22. For the year, he's sporting a 5.69 ERA with a lackluster 100:56 K:BB through 153.1 frames. Parker is currently slated to face the Pirates at home this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Can't compete five frames Wednesday
Rotowire
Parker came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 10-5 win over the Marlins, giving up four runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
A fifth-inning error by Luis Garcia helped soften the blow to Parker's ERA, but the southpaw had trouble putting batters away and wasn't able to qualify for the win after running his pitch count up to 91 (66 strikes). He hasn't picked up a victory since July 26, going 0-5 over his last seven starts with a 9.28 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 24:12 K:BB in 32 innings. Parker will try to turn things around in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in a rematch with Miami.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Lit up again Saturday
Rotowire
Parker (7-14) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on six hits and a walk over five innings as the Nationals were downed 6-4 by the Phillies. He struck out three.
The left-hander kept Philly off the board for three innings before crumbling, and he got the hook after 103 pitches (68 strikes). Parker was hit hard once again, as four of the six hits he gave up went for extra bases, including homers by Edmundo Sosa and Trea Turner. Parker is 0-4 over his last five starts, a stretch in which he's produced a 12.00 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, 3.0 HR/9 and 13:11 K:BB over 21 innings. Despite those ghastly numbers, the Nats haven't provided any hints that his rotation spot is in jeopardy. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Rays.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Takes third straight loss
Rotowire
Parker (7-13) took the loss Tuesday against the Royals, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three in 5.1 innings.
Parker allowed five batters to reach and saw all five come in to score. He made one big mistake to Vinnie Pasquantino, who turned on an inside fastball for a three-run blast. Parker otherwise was able to induce weak contact and his box score looks far worse than his actual outing. Still, the left-hander has now given up 17 earned runs and four homers across his last three starts and lines up to complete a two-start week against the Phillies this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Mauled by Milwaukee
Rotowire
Parker (7-11) took the loss Friday as the Nationals were downed 16-9 by the Brewers, surrendering eight runs on 12 hits and a walk over four-plus innings. He struck out three.
The lefty served up a pair of homers to light-hitting Blake Perkins, but Parker didn't have better luck against the rest of the Milwaukee lineup. It's the second time in Parker's last four starts that he's been tagged for seven or more runs, and he's gone seven straight outings without striking out more than four batters, a stretch in which he's labored to a 6.99 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB over 37.1 innings. He'll try to pull out of the tailspin in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Athletics.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Logs quality start in win
Rotowire
Parker (6-10) earned the win against the Padres on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts over five innings.
Parker allowed two runs in the third inning but was otherwise strong despite generating just six whiffs on 82 pitches. It was an encouraging effort after the southpaw surrendered 16 runs (11 earned) over his previous two July outings, and he's now logged two quality-start victories against the Padres since June 23. He'll carry a 5.00 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 70:41 K:BB across 108 innings into a road matchup with the Twins next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Yields three runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Parker allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Sunday.
Parker held his own in this outing, throwing 48 of 76 pitches for strikes. He lost four of his six starts in June, but he was able to limit the damage to three runs or less in five of them. Parker is now at a 4.63 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 62:36 K:BB through 91.1 innings over 17 starts this season. The southpaw's next start is expected to be at home versus the Red Sox.
Parker (5-8) earned the win over San Diego on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one batter over six innings.
Parker entered Monday having lost each of his past five starts, but he was able to get back in the win column while also tossing his second straight quality start. The southpaw didn't miss many bats -- he notched just one punchout and five whiffs -- but managed to limit the damage against him despite giving up two homers. Parker's lack of strikeout stuff and 4.59 season ERA make him an unappealing option in most fantasy leagues, but he's been able to stay healthy and remain in the rotation for the Nationals throughout the campaign, as he's tied for the team lead with 16 starts.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Crushed for six runs in loss
Rotowire
Parker (4-7) took the loss against the Marlins on Friday, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three across 3.1 innings.
Parker gave up a run in each of the first two innings before yielding four runs in the third, highlighted by a two-run double by Dane Myers. Parker struggled with his control with only 48 strikes on 87 pitches. The 25-year-old southpaw yielded three runs or less in each of his first five starts this season but has done so just three times in his last nine outings. Parker now sits at a 4.84 ERA and 1.35 WHIP (across 74.1 innings), which is fourth- and sixth-worst, respectively, among qualified National League starters. He is tentatively lined up to face the Rockies at home next week.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Struggles early in loss
Rotowire
Parker (4-5) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over five-plus innings to take the loss versus the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
By his recent standards, this was actually one of Parker's better starts. It didn't go well early on, as he allowed all three runs, including a two-run home run by Eugenio Suarez, in the first inning, but he retired 14 straight batters before exiting after a leadoff walk in the sixth. Parker has allowed at least three runs in seven straight outings, and this was the third time in that span he's completed at least five innings. He's already on shaky ground in Washington's rotation, and he has a 4.71 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 42:28 K:BB through 65 innings over 12 starts. Parker is tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Rangers in his next outing.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: On shaky ground in rotation
Rotowire
Parker could be in danger of losing his rotation spot after posting an 8.46 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 20:15 K:BB through 27.2 innings over his last six starts, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The southpaw held a 1.39 ERA on April 22, but since then things have completely fallen apart for Parker, who served up three homers in 4.2 innings during his most recent outing May 27 in Seattle. The Nationals will give him more time to figure things out, but if Parker's struggles continue into June, he could be painting a bullseye on his back to lose his rotation spot when the team decides prospect Cade Cavalli is ready to be promoted from Triple-A Rochester.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Back in win column
Rotowire
Parker (4-3) earned the win against Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four across 5.1 innings.
All three runs Parker allowed came in the second inning, starting with a solo homer from Matt Olson followed by back-to-back RBI doubles. Parker bounced back to toss 3.1 scoreless innings, and the Nationals' bullpen kept Atlanta off the board to give the 25-year-old southpaw his first win since April 22. It was a return to form for Parker, who had given up four earned runs or more in each of his last four outings after yielding three runs or fewer in each of his first five starts of the season. He'll look to make it two wins in a row in his next start, tentatively slated for this weekend at home against the Giants.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Cleared for next start
Rotowire
Parker (knee) will make his next start Tuesday versus Atlanta at Nationals Park.
Parker's previous start (also against Atlanta) was cut short last Wednesday, when he was struck in the left knee by a 107.2 mile-per-hour comebacker off the bat of Austin Riley midway through the fifth inning. According to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com, Parker was able to make his between-starts bullpen session Friday without issue, so he's not expected to be operating with any restrictions Tuesday. Through his first nine starts of the season, Parker owns a 3-3 record, 4.32 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32:24 K:BB across 50 innings.
