Ferrer earned the save in Thursday's 9-3 win over the Mets, allowing one hit and no walks in 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three.
Ferrer entered the game with the Nationals nursing a 5-3 lead in the eighth inning, but Washington scored four more runs in the bottom half of the frame to give him a big cushion to work with while recording the final three outs. The 25-year-old southpaw has emerged as the clear favorite for saves following the Kyle Finnegan trade, having now converted each of his four save chances in August. Over his last 18.2 innings, Ferrer sports a 1.93 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Collects third save
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Ferrer gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Mets.
The southpaw was able to erase a one-out single by Cedric Mullins with a game-ending double play thanks to a 97.9 mph sinker. Ferrer has pocketed three of the Nationals' four saves in August, with Cole Henry notching the fourth, and the former is the clear top option for closing duties in the bullpen. Over 17.1 innings since the beginning of July, Ferrer has posted a 2.08 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Nails down two-inning save
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Ferrer gave up a hit and struck out two in two scoreless innings Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Phillies.
Cade Cavalli brought right-handed heat for seven innings Saturday, so the Nationals turned to the southpaw Ferrer for the final two frames to wrap up an impressive combined shutout. The 25-year-old has been scored upon only once in his last 10 appearances, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB over 12 innings during that stretch while collecting two wins, two saves and three holds. Given his usage Saturday, and the fact that Ferrer has pitched on three of the last four days, expect Cole Henry to get the call Sunday should Washington have a late lead to protect.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Passed over in save opportunity
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Ferrer earned a hold during Thursday's 3-2 win over Philadelphia, allowing one hit with one strikeout during a scoreless inning.
Ferrer handled ninth-inning duties Aug. 9 in Washington's first save opportunity after trading closer Kyle Finnegan, but Ferrer was passed over Thursday in favor of Cole Henry. Instead, Ferrer worked in a setup role, pitching a scoreless eighth frame before Henry earned the save with a scoreless ninth. The Nationals could use a matchup-based approach to the closer role for the final weeks of the season between the lefty Ferrer and the righty Henry, but save chances are likely to come at a premium for the rebuilding club. Ferrer has allowed two runs on nine hits in six innings during August.
Ferrer gave up two hits and struck out one over 1.2 scoreless innings to record his first save of the season in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Giants.
The southpaw notched the Nationals' first save since Kyle Finnegan was dealt at the trade deadline, firing 13 of 19 pitches for strikes. Ferrer didn't have it easy, either. Cole Henry worked the eighth inning but loaded the bases with one out, forcing Ferrer into the game early, and he escaped the jam by allowing only a sacrifice fly. Washington may not generate many save chances over the final weeks of the season, but Ferrer is the favorite to handle them, and over his last 12 appearances he's posted a 2.38 ERRA, 1.15 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 11.1 innings.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Nabs win Wednesday
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Ferrer (3-3) picked up the win Wednesday over the A's, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
The southpaw got the call to protect a 1-1 tie in the ninth and dispatched the bottom of the A's order on 12 pitches (10 strikes). Ferrer was then rewarded for his efforts when CJ Abrams walked it off with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame. The Nationals haven't had a save situation since Kyle Finnegan was traded to the Tigers, but Ferrer's usage Wednesday suggests he'll be first in line to handle closing duties when needed. Since the beginning of July, Ferrer's posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB over 10.1 innings.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Could be favorite to close
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Ferrer is likely to be part of the ninth-inning mix for the Nationals with Kyle Finnegan having been traded to the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The 25-year-old southpaw boasts a power sinker that's averaged 97.4 mph this season and a changeup with a 42.7 percent whiff rate, but Ferrer's actual ratios don't match the scouting report, as he has a 4.78 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and meager 20.1 percent strikeout rate over 52.2 innings in 2025. If the Nats determine he isn't closer material, right-handers Cole Henry and Zach Brzykcy could get save chances instead, and a committee approach might be the most likely scenario unless someone seizes the closing role.
Ferrer tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief Friday to record his 15th hold of the season in a win over the Angels.
The southpaw has had a shaky June overall, posting a 5.11 ERA in 12.1 innings, but Ferrer has already set a new career high in holds after coming into 2025 with only 11 over 70 big-league appearances. He seems locked in as one of closer Kyle Finnegan's primary setup men, but his sinker-heavy approach likely won't get him much ninth-inning work in the event Finnegan is traded -- Ferrer has a 59.8 percent groundball rate but only a 19.0 percent strikeout rate on the season.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Collects first win
Rotowire
Ferrer (1-2) picked up the win Wednesday over the Mets, striking out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.
The southpaw became the pitcher of record when the Nationals rallied for two runs in the seventh inning and two more in the eighth to erase a 4-1 deficit. Ferrer has been prone to blowups this season, most recently surrendering five runs in one-third of an inning against the Guardians on May 6, but he continues to see high-leverage opportunities in a Washington bullpen that lacks better options. Through 22 innings this season, Ferrer carries a 6.95 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB with nine holds in 22 appearances.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Secures third hold
Rotowire
Ferrer gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning Friday to record his third hold of the season in a 7-4 win over the Marlins.
The 25-year-old southpaw has been one of the Nationals' primary setup men to begin the season, and Ferrer is already halfway to the career-high six holds he pocketed in 2024. While his 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP through 6.2 innings aren't impressive, Ferrer's 8:2 K:BB might offer a better glimpse of how effective he's been. He's also been the victim of some bad luck in the early going with a .429 BABIP and 63.5 LOB%, both of which have plenty of room for regression to friendlier rates.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: No longer co-favorite for saves
Rotowire
Ferrer and Jorge Lopez are likely no longer the leading closer candidates for Washington after Kyle Finnegan re-signed Tuesday on a one-year, $6 million contract, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Finnegan recorded 38 saves as the Nationals closer last year but had a 3.68 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, leading to him being non-tendered in November. Ferrer had a 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB across 32 innings last season and was named a candidate to close -- along with Lopez -- by manager Dave Martinez early in spring training. The return of Finnegan could push Ferrer and Lopez down the pecking order for saves.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Could factor into closing picture
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Manager Dave Martinez said earlier this week that Ferrer remains a candidate to save games for the Nationals along with Jorge Lopez, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. "As I said earlier, Ferrer will get an opportunity to close as well," Martinez said. "Right now, we're going to play matchups. But if Lopez is available, he can do it."
The back end of the Washington bullpen is in flux heading into Opening Day, after the Nationals elected to non-tender Kyle Finnegan in November coming off a 38-save season. Washington brought in Lopez over the winter on a one-year, $3 million deal, and based on Martinez's comments, Lopez -- who saved 23 games in 2022 between stops with the Orioles and Twins -- looks to be the preferred option in what could be a two-pronged approach at closer. Ferrer, meanwhile, has just one career save to his name, but he was one of Washington's top relievers in 2024 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB in 32 innings. As the southpaw option of the two relievers, Ferrer could be the choice over Lopez for save situations that arise when the Nationals face lefty-heavy lineups in the ninth inning.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Picks up save
Rotowire
Ferrer picked up the save Sunday against Miami, allowing one run on two hits across one inning with no strikeouts.
Kyle Finnegan pitched in two straight games before Sunday's contest, resulting in Ferrer handling ninth-inning work. It was Ferrer's first save of the 2024 season, and he has a 3.65 ERA across 24.2 innings.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Rejoins bullpen
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The Nationals activated Ferrer (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his left shoulder. He will give the team a second left-hander in the bullpen behind Robert Garcia, something the Nationals have not had in 2024 until now.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Rehab moved to Double-A
Rotowire
The Nationals transferred Ferrer's (shoulder) rehab assignment to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Ferrer appeared in one game in the Florida Complex League, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter in 1.1 innings. He'll now join Harrisburg in order to rehab against some tougher competition, though it's still unclear whether he'll report to the Nationals or Triple-A Rochester once he's activated off the 60-day IL.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Beginning rehab assignment
Rotowire
Ferrer (shoulder) was sent to the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Thursday to begin a rehab assignment.
Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder but has finally been cleared for game action. The lefty's rehab assignment should be fairly lengthy given how much time he's missed, and he's not a given to be added to the major-league roster once his time on the 60-day injured list is over.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Looks sharp in live BP
Rotowire
Ferrer (shoulder) struck out all four of the batters he faced during a live throwing session Monday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Ferrer was cleared to face live hitters June 14 and is presumably close to a minor-league rehab assignment following an impressive showing Monday. However, the club has yet to reveal an exact timetable for the southpaw's return from the 60-day injured list.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Tossing live BP on Monday
Rotowire
Ferrer (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Monday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Ferrer will face batters for the first time since suffering a shoulder strain back in March, but it's not yet clear when he might begin a rehab assignment. The 24-year-old should be expected to return in late June or early July.
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