Nationals claim Javy Guerra off waivers

Brought in as a relief option to sure-up the bullpen this past offseason, the Washington Nationals have claimed relief pitcher Javy Guerra off waivers from the Blue Jays.

Guerra, 33, made 11 appearances for the Jays, pitching a total of 14 innings with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.214 WHIP, while striking out 9.6 per nine innings.

He was designated for assignment on Saturday to make way for lefty knuckleballer Ryan Feierabend to make the start in the game against the White Sox that day. With the injuries to their rotation, the Jays will be able to take the hit to their bullpen, but it is still losing a capable major-league arm for nothing.

This leaves the Jays with an eight-man bullpen, enough to manage the games, but with decreasing options in the minors. Thomas Pannone is one pitcher that was recently optioned to Buffalo that might see a lot of travel between the two clubs as the year goes on.

This move won’t get rid of the fact that the Nationals have never won a playoff series.