Nationals Jonathan Papelbon Placed on DL
By Bill Pivetz
Washington Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained intercostal muscle. This leaves a big hole in the bullpen.
The Washington Nationals lead in the National League East may shrink over the next two weeks. While the offense is firing on all cylinders, the team took a big loss in the bullpen. The team announced closer Jonathan Papelbon was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a muscle strain Tuesday afternoon. His absence hurts both the Nationals and fantasy teams everywhere.
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Papelbon was having a pretty good season, too. He recorded 16 saves with a 3.28 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 6.9 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. He does have two blown saves, but none since May 3. While he is having a down year compared to last season, he is still a closer worth owning in all league formats.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker has not announced a timetable for Papelbon’s return. This obviously does not bode well for fantasy owners that have him. How long do you keep him rostered? There are other closers, healthy closers, that can fill in while he recovers. But once he’s back, he’ll be a top-15 closer for the rest of the season.
Dusty wouldn't commit to one fill-in closer with Papelbon out. Likes Kelley, but they have to watch his workload given two TJ surgeries.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) June 14, 2016
The question is, though, “How long will he really be out?” He is eligible to return on June 28, but many expect him to be out longer than that. Intercostal strains tend to sideline pitchers longer than the two weeks.
With Jonathan Papelbon out, Shawn Kelley recorded his first save of the season. He has a 2.70 ERA and 0.0.86 WHIP in 27 games this season. The Nationals may not want to use him as the only closer because of his injury history.
The team could also use Felipe Rivero on Kelley’s rest days. His numbers aren’t the best, 5.46 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 31 games, he’s been the most-used reliever in the bullpen.
Next: Phillies' Tommy Joseph: Deep Waiver Add
If you are looking to go outside of the Nationals clubhouse, Will Harris, Carlos Esteves and Sam Dyson are still out there on the waiver wire. Keep tabs on the trade market, too. The team has been linked to the New York Yankees’ relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, hoping either becomes available.
Jonathan Papelbon’s injury is just the latest among the closers this season, just days after Jake McGee‘s, so the options are becoming slim. Nonetheless, you need to be looking for a replacement for at least the next two weeks.