Washington Nationals release relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon
@Deepizzaguy (122218)
Lake Charles, Louisiana
August 13, 2016 4:30pm CST
USA Today reports the news the Washington Nationals have released right handed relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon on Saturday.
Papelbon asked to be released from the team after his role as the closer of the Nationals was reduced to working in mop up games after the Pittsburgh Pirates traded relief pitcher Mark Melancon to the Nationals on July 30, 2016 in exchange for minor league left handed pitchers Felipe Rivero and Taylor Hearn.
Papelbon will be replaced on the Nationals roster by right handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez who was promoted to the parent team from the Nationals AAA minor league team the Syracuse Chiefs on Saturday.
Lopez will be making a spot start on Saturday versus the Atlanta Braves.
It is possible that Papelbon will return to pitch for the Boston Red Sox as a relief pitcher since the team needs his services for he remainder of the current baseball season.
4 people like this
2 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Aug 16
At one time with Boston, Papelbon was a premiere closer and he was never the same in Washington.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122218)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
14 Aug 16
That is true when I saw Papelbon pitch for the Red Sox.
@Deepizzaguy (122218)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
13 Aug 16
The writing was on the wall when Papelbon was demoted to mop up duty when Melancon joined the Nationals as their current closer.
