Joe Nathan still plans to pitch in 2017

After being released by the Washington Nationals, Joe Nathan still plans to pitch somewhere in 2017.

With at least 35 saves nine times from 2004-2014, with a 2.38 ERA and 10.6 K/9 rate over that span, Joe Nathan was one of the best closers in baseball for a long stretch. But injuries, including the second Tommy John surgery of his career in 2015, have limited Nathan to just 11 major league appearances over the last two seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.

Nathan signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals in January, and he posted a 3.86 ERA and nine strikeouts over 11.2 innings this spring. Upon getting the news he would not make the Opening Day roster, Nathan asked for his release and the Nationals followed through on Monday.

At 42 years old, with 377 career saves (eighth all-time, second among active pitchers), Nathan could probably retire without any regrets. But that does not appear to be on his radar.

Via ESPN:

"“There’s 29 other teams,” Nathan told reporters, according to MASNSports.com. “I knew every time I took the mound this spring, it wasn’t just to try to make this club but showcase for other teams. It was important for me to get out there, even yesterday, in a spot where they probably already knew I wasn’t going to make this team.“They still got me on the mound to pitch, and I appreciate that. [Manager Dusty Baker] helped me out even when he probably knew I wasn’t going to be on this club, to send me out there and get another look with other clubs.”"

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Nathan probably showed enough this spring to latch on with another team at the major league level, assuming there are no signs of anything wrong physically beyond normal, age-related decline. Since he didn’t retire after Tommy John surgery two years ago, it’s no surprise he’s not thinking about it now.