February 20, 2025
Washington Nationals relief pitchers
Jorge Lopez and
Jose A. Ferrer are likely to see most of the save opportunities at the start of the 2025 campaign. When asked who would close games, manager Dave Martinez mentioned both pitchers and that the team would "play matchups." With Lopez being a right-hander and Ferrer being a left-hander, Lopez could see the slight edge in opportunities, especially if matchups are heavily emphasized. Throughout his career, Lopez has tallied 31 saves. He tallied 23 of them during the 2022 campaign, where he spent time in Baltimore and Minnesota. Last season, he held a solid 2.89 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He is dealing with a groin injury but was able to face live batters earlier this week. Ferrer tallied his first career MLB save last season but did have opportunities to close games in the minor leagues. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their status during spring training. Given his experience, Lopez will likely see a slight edge in opportunities.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Zuckerman
February 19, 2025
Washington Nationals relief pitcher
Jorge Lopez (groin) faced live batters during Monday's practice session. This is a great sign, as Lopez ended the 2024 campaign on the injured list with a right groin strain. Seeing him face live hitters early in practice suggests he is past this injury and is viewed as a full-go. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Last season, the 32-year-old opened the 2024 campaign with the New York Mets and logged 26 1/3 innings before being released. He was then picked up by the Cubs, where he held a strong 2.03 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 26 2/3 innings. With
Kyle Finnegan no longer on the roster, fantasy managers should expect Lopez to compete for the closer role during spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Zuckerman
February 10, 2025
It's unclear who the Washington Nationals plan on using for the majority of their save situations in 2025, but right-hander
Jorge Lopez is currently the only reliever on the roster with any real closing experience. The 32-year-old veteran signed a one-year, $3 million deal in January after posting a solid 2.89 ERA, 50 strikeouts and four saves in 52 relief appearances for the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2024. Twenty-three of his 31 career MLB saves came in his All-Star season in 2022 with the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins. He has only saved seven games in 12 opportunities with a 4.50 ERA the last two seasons. If the Nats roll with a closer committee,
Derek Law (13 career saves) and lefty
Jose A. Ferrer could be used in tandem with Lopez. Ferrer has been used as a lefty specialist but also possesses a triple-digit fastball and 98 mph sinker.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Bobby Blanco
January 12, 2025
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free agent relief pitcher
Jorge Lopez has signed a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Washington Nationals. Lopez began his 2024 campaign with the New York Mets but was eventually cut after 26 innings. He then finished his campaign with the Chicago Cubs, where he logged a strong 2.03 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 26 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 31 batters during this stint and only allowed eight free passes. The right-hander generated a solid .220 xBA and a .3.59 xERA, placing him in the 76th and 68th percentile, respectively. With
Kyle Finnegan still on the free agent market, the Nationals lack a proven ninth-inning option. If Lopez performs well early on, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role in this bullpen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
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