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Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Ready for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Beeter (forearm) is ready to begin a rehab assignment, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Beeter is at the Nationals' spring training complex in Florida, so it sounds like his first rehab appearance will be for the team's Florida Complex League affiliate. The reliever has been sidelined since late April with right forearm soreness, so he shouldn't require too many rehab outings before being activated. Beeter has collected two saves this season as part of closer-by-committee, and he should be thrown back into leverage situations upon activation.
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Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Resumes mound work
Rotowire
Beeter (forearm) has been cleared to resume throwing off the mound, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Beeter was placed on the 15-day injured list a little over a week ago because of right forearm soreness. An MRI came back negative, and Beeter has taken a big step forward with his rehab with the resumption of mound work. It's unlikely he will be ready to return when eligible May 8, but he should be ready shortly thereafter. Beeter has essentially served as a co-closer with Gus Varland this season and should return to that role once he's deemed physically ready.
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Nationals' Clayton Beeter: MRI comes back clean
Rotowire
Beeter (forearm) had an MRI come back clean and was cleared to resume throwing Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
The right-hander landed on the injured list Sunday due to right forearm soreness, but the quick return to throwing should allow him to avoid a lengthy stay on the shelf. Beeter will be eligible to be reinstated May 8 in Miami, and it's possible he'll be able to return on or shortly after that date.
The Nationals placed Beeter on the 15-day injured list Sunday, retroactive to April 23, due to right forearm soreness.
It's unclear when exactly the right-hander suffered the injury, but he hasn't seen the field since firing a scoreless frame against Atlanta last Tuesday. Beeter and Gus Varland lead the Nationals with two saves each, so Varland is likely to be the primary option at closer while Beeter is sidelined.
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Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Blows save but earns win
Rotowire
Beeter (1-0) earned the win but blew the save Thursday against the Pirates, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out one in the ninth inning.
Given a 7-6 lead, Beeter struggled to find the plate and tossed just 19 of 32 pitches for strikes, allowing the game-tying run on a bases-loaded infield single by Brandon Lowe. It was the second blown save of the season for the 27-year-old right-hander, but Beeter was able to wiggle out of the jam with no further damage, and the Nationals bailed him out by taking the lead in the top of the 10th. Beeter will need to clean up his control issues if he's going to remain in the ninth-inning picture, as he has more walks (eight) than strikeouts (seven) in 9.1 innings so far on the season.
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Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Survives for second save
Rotowire
Beeter picked up the save Saturday against the Brewers, allowing one home run and two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out two.
The Brewers were scuffling throughout the evening, as they were held to one hit through eight frames, but Beeter gave them plenty of life in the ninth inning. William Contreras took him deep for a leadoff solo shot before Brandon Lockridge drew a walk, but Beeter was able to get Joey Ortiz to ground out to end the game. The right-hander seems to have a tenuous grip on Washington's closer job, logging a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 6:6 K:BB over 7.2 innings while converting two of his three save opportunities.
Beeter earned the save Sunday against the Cubs, throwing a clean ninth inning.
Beeter was locked in Sunday, firing each of his six pitches for strikes to nail down the save. The 27-year-old right-hander drew Washington's first save opportunity of the year, suggesting he's at the front of the line when it comes to the closer role. Cole Henry may be in the mix as well, but Beeter could push him back into a setup job with a strong start to the campaign.
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Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Called upon in non-save situation
Rotowire
Beeter struck out one and walked two in a scoreless eighth inning during Thursday's 10-4 win over the Cubs.
The Nationals held an 8-4 lead when Beeter took the mound to face the bottom half of Chicago's batting order -- not exactly a high-leverage spot for the 2026 debut of a pitcher generally projected to lead the team in saves this season. Washington doesn't have any established options at the back of its bullpen, however, so as long as Beeter remains effective, he should be in the mix to protect close ninth-inning leads. The 27-year-old right-hander will need to display more control than he did Opening Day to stay in the saves picture, as he tossed just 12 of 24 pitches for strikes against the Cubs. Cole Henry and potentially Cionel Perez, who worked the ninth Thursday, could also get save chances while new manager Blake Butera sorts out his bullpen.
Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Missing bats this spring
Rotowire
Beeter gave up an unearned run on one hit while striking out three over two-thirds of an inning during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
A wild pitch cost Beeter an actual out on one of his Ks, but it was an error by minor-league shortstop Randal Diaz that brought home the run against him. The right-hander has yet to be charged with an earned run this spring, delivering a 9:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings, and he appears set for a high-leverage role in a Nationals bullpen that lacks established arms. Whether Beeter can separate himself from the pack and stake a strong claim to the ninth inning will depend on how much he can improve his control after walking 19 batters in his first 29 big-league innings over the last two seasons.
Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Fans three in spring game
Rotowire
Beeter struck out three batters and walked one during his lone inning of work in Tuesday's Grapefruit League win over the Marlins.
After being traded from the Bronx to Washington last season, Beeter turned in a 2.49 ERA and 1.02 WHIP to go with a 32:14 K:BB over 21.2 innings. He's followed up his impressive start with the Nats by allowing two runs (both unearned) across three frames in spring training, collecting five strikeouts in the process. The Nationals entered spring camp without a clear go-to choice for ninth-inning work, but the 27-year-old righty seems like a strong contender to open the season as the team's preferred closer based on his recent performance.
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