Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Lit up to close out first half
Rotowire
Rutledge coughed up four runs on four hits, including two home runs, over just one-third of an inning in Sunday's loss to the Brewers.
His lone out did come via strikeout, but it was still a rough way for the 26-year-old righty to end the first half. Rutledge boasted an ERA of 2.08 back on May 6 and looked like a potential high-leverage option for the Nationals' bullpen, but since then things have gone completely off the rails for the 2019 first-round pick. On the season, Rutledge carries a 6.92 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB through 40.1 innings, and he's served up an ugly 12 homers.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Secures first win of 2025
Rotowire
Rutledge (1-1) picked up the win in Thursday's extra-inning victory over Atlanta, allowing one hit in a scoreless 10th inning.
After Kyle Finnegan blew the save in the ninth, Rutledge held Atlanta's 5-6-7 hitters in check in the 10th before Amed Rosario walked it off with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame. Thye 26-year-old righty has given up earned runs in only two of his last 12 appearances, posting a 1.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 15.2 innings over that stretch. Should Finnegan be unavailable for closing duties at any point, Rutledge might be positioning himself to become the next man up for the Nats.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Collects first career hold
Rotowire
Rutledge walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief Wednesday to record his first career hold in a win over the Orioles.
The 26-year-old right-hander was converted to the bullpen this year, and while Rutledge's control remains shaky -- he threw just 13 of 25 pitches for strikes Wednesday -- for the most part he's adapting well to his new role. Through eight innings over five appearances in the majors in 2025, he's posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB. If Rutledge can find the strike zone a little more often, he could work his way into consistent high-leverage work in a Nationals bullpen that lacks established setup men ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Called up Friday
Rotowire
The Nationals recalled Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
The right-hander missed out on the Opening Day roster but will join the Nationals as Michael Soroka (bicep) heads to the injured list. Rutledge has worked as a starter for most of his professional career, but he's unlikely to fill Soroka's spot in the rotation as anything other than an opener -- he shifted to a relief role in spring training and worked out of the bullpen in his first two appearances of the season for Rochester.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.
The right-hander entered camp on the fringes of Washington's rotation competition, but he began transitioning to a multi-inning relief role in mid-March. Rutledge allowed three earned runs with a 9:2 K:BB over 8.1 big-league innings last year, but he spent most of the campaign at Rochester, where he had a 6.40 ERA in 27 starts.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Recalled by Washington
Rotowire
The Nationals recalled Rutledge on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
The move gives the Nationals a long-relief option out of the bullpen for the final series of the season against the Phillies. Rutledge last pitched for the Nats on July 12, when he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings. He's spent most of the season with Triple-A Rochester, where he's posted a 4-9 record over 27 starts with a 6.40 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 128:77 K:BB across 122.1 innings. To make room on the 28-man roster for Rutledge, Washington optioned DJ Herz to the Florida Complex League.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Moves back down to minors
Rotowire
Washington optioned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.
Rutledge was solid in a spot start Friday, allowing two runs while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings against the Brewers. However, he'll head back down to the minors to make room for reliever Eduardo Salazar on the big-league roster. With Rutledge's demotion, the Nationals currently have only four healthy starters, and it's not yet certain how they'll fill the fifth rotation spot following the All-Star break, though that role could go back to DJ Herz, who had been starting for the team before being sent down to Triple-A on July 8.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Fans six in return to big leagues
Rotowire
Rutledge did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-2 win over Milwaukee, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.
Despite pitching to a 6.66 ERA across 71.2 innings at Triple-A Rochester, the 25-year-old held his own in his first major-league start of the season. Rutledge heavily relied upon a sinker that averaged 95.0 mph, generating 10 whiffs en route to his six punchouts. The Washington right-hander should garner at least one more start post-All-Star break as DJ Herz was demoted July 8 and isn't eligible to return to the big leagues until July 23.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Starting Friday
Rotowire
The Nationals will recall Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester to start Friday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge has appeared in just one game for the Nationals this season, allowing a run to score in one inning May 14 against the White Sox. He hasn't done a much better job preventing runs in the minor leagues, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through 71.2 frames. He'll be facing one of the National League's more dynamic offenses Friday, as the Brewers rank fourth in the NL in both OPS (.732) and runs scored (450).
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Surrenders five runs Sunday
Rotowire
Rutledge allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings Sunday against Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.
Rutledge was handed a four-run lead before he even took the mound but couldn't hold onto it for long. He allowed a two-run single in the bottom of the inning and a game-tying three-run blast to Marcell Ozuna in the third. The 24-year-old finished with a 6.75 ERA and 12:6 K:BB over four starts during his late-season audition for the Nationals. He had two good outings and two bad ones and figures to be in the running for a spot in the rotation for 2024.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Better in second outing
Rotowire
Rutledge did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over 6.1 innings against the White Sox. He struck out two.
It was certainly a step in the right direction for Rutledge after he was tagged for seven runs in 3.2 innings in his debut outing against Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old right-hander will likely make one more start this season, currently scheduled for next week in Baltimore, as he looks to solidify a sport in the Nationals' 2024 rotation.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Officially debuting Wednesday
Rotowire
Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Rutledge will make his major-league debut Wednesday against Pittsburgh, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge began the season with Double-A Harrisburg and has posted a 4.44 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 50.2 innings since being promoted to Triple-A Rochester in June. The 24-year-old righty doesn't strike batters out at a particularly high rate (7.9 K/9), and he's struggled with walks (5.4 BB/9) since reaching Triple-A, so fantasy managers would be wise to temper expectations as Rutledge makes his first major-league start.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Promoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Rutledge was promoted Wednesday to Triple-A Rochester, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge was selected by the Nationals with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, but his prospect shine had faded over the last few years due to injuries and inconsistency. He has turned it all around this season, delivering a 3.16 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 68.1 innings (12 starts) at Double-A Harrisburg to earn the bump to Triple-A. The 24-year-old right-hander could perhaps get the call to Washington before the end of the 2023 campaign and should be a consideration for the Opening Day rotation in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Heads to Double-A
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Rutledge to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday,Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Rutledge pitched at Low-A Fredericksburg in 2022 but will make the jump to Harrisburg to start 2023. The first-round pick has been a disappointment so far in his three years of pro ball.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
Rutledge was added to the Nationals' 40-man roster Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
At his very best, the No. 17 overall pick from the 2019 draft looks completely dominant, but injuries and poor control have really limited Rutledge's development. He made 20 starts last season at Single-A as a 23-year-old -- a level at which he made six starts in 2019 -- so if anything Rutledge has regressed in recent years. Given his lack of refinement or upper-level experience, it may make sense to eventually develop the 6-foot-8 righty as a reliever.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Working through biceps soreness
Rotowire
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said last week that Rutledge has been slowed by biceps soreness during spring training, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Washington invited the right-hander to big-league spring training, but he didn't see any use during the Grapefruit League slate while tending to the injury. While Martinez noted that Rutledge hasn't been shut down and has been doing some throwing of late, he'll likely open the season on the injured list at Low-A Fredericksburg or High-A Wilmington. The biceps issue is the latest in a growing list of injuries that have slowed Rutledge's development since he was selected in the first round of the 2019 first-year player draft.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Suffers setback with blister
Rotowire
Low-A Fredericksburg returned Rutledge (finger) to the 7-day injured list Wednesday after he suffered a recurrence of a blister on his pitching hand during his start Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge was on the shelf for about two weeks due to the blister before gaining clearance to start Tuesday's contest, but he faced only five hitters before bowing out of the contest. The Nationals could opt to shut Rutledge down for a longer period of time following the setback, which may make it a challenge for the 22-year-old to make another appearance before season's end. Through three starts with Fredricksburg this season, Rutledge has worked 9.1 innings and has given up six earned runs on eight hits and five walks while striking out 13.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Out with blister
Rotowire
Rutledge is on the 7-day injured list with Low-A Fredericksburg with a blister, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
He's coming off his best start of the year -- five shutout innings with seven strikeouts on July 29. Rutledge has had a disaster of a season on the whole, as the 22-year-old righty logged a 12.66 ERA in four starts (10.2 innings) at High-A before missing time with a shoulder injury and then getting a soft landing with an assignment to Low-A. Ideally, he will return soon from the blister and be able to finish the season strong while staying healthy. He's a candidate to head to the Arizona Fall League after the minor-league season.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Activated from MiLB IL
Rotowire
Rutledge (shoulder) was activated from the 7-day minor-league injured list July 20 and assigned to Low-A Fredericksburg. Rutledge made his first start for Fredericksburg on Friday, giving up seven runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings.
Rutledge was sidelined for about a month and a half with a sore right shoulder before he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment July 9 in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. He made two starts in the FCL before he was assigned to Fredericksburg. Though Rutledge was blown up in his first outing with the affiliate, the Nationals are likely just happy to see the 2019 first-round pick back on the mound again.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Begins rehab program
Rotowire
Rutledge (shoulder) has resumed a rehab program at the Nationals' spring training facility in Florida after being placed on the 7-day injured list at High-A Wilmington on June 2, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.
The Nationals aren't viewing Rutledge's right shoulder injury as a major concern, but because the 22-year-old is one of the more prized pitching prospects in the organization, he'll be brought along slowly in his recovery. Rutledge made four starts for Wilmington before landing on the shelf, posting a 12.66 ERA and 2.55 WHIP across 10.2 innings.
