Free-agent reliever Kyle Finnegan and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a one-year contract, according to a source familiar with the deal.
News and Notes: Kyle Finnegan signs one-year deal with Nationals
Photo credit: © Daniel Kucin Jr. - USA Today
Feb 25, 2025, 20:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 25, 2025, 18:11 EST
A potential relief option for the Toronto Blue Jays is off the board.
It was pretty surprising that Kyle Finnegan took so long to sign, but on Tuesday, it was reported that the Nationals re-signed the right-handed pitcher.
Finnegan, 33 years old, made his debut with the Nationals in 2020, posting a 2.92 ERA and a 3.76 FIP in 24.2 innings pitched. After back-to-back 11-save seasons in 2021 and 2022, he became the Nationals full-time closer in 2023, posting a 3.76 ERA and a 4.58 FIP in 69.1 innings pitched with a 21.9 K% and an 8.3 BB%.
Last season with the Nationals, the right-handed pitcher had a 3.68 ERA and a 4.25 FIP in 63.2 innings pitched, with a 22.1 K% and an 8.9 BB%. His 38 saves were the third most in the league behind only St. Louis Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley and Cleveland Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase.
In a surprising move, the Nationals non-tendered Finnegan before the non-tender deadline. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Finnegan was expected to earn $8.6 million in arbitration. However, the Nationals brought him back on a one-year, $6 million deal.
The Blue Jays were never linked to Finnegan but he would’ve been a nice pickup.
Nicaragua and Chinese Taipei booked tickets to the 2026 World Baseball Classic
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is just around the corner and two teams recently made it to the tournament. From Feb. 21-25, Pool A of qualifiers were held in Taiwan, with Nicaragua winning the group and Chinese Taipei winning the second-place playoff against Team Spain to make it to the 2026 WBC.
BALLGAME! Team Chinese Taipei is heading back to the #WorldBaseballClassic 😤
Unfortunately, Spain and South Africa won’t be attending the tournament. There’s a second group that will be playing in early March, as Colombia, Brazil, China, and Germany are the four teams vying to take the final two spots in the tournament.
It’s worth noting that Toronto Blue Jays prospect, Eric Pardinho, will pitch for Team Brazil when that tournament kicks off on Mar. 2 in Tucson, Arizona.
A whole bunch of teams have already qualified for the tournament, including Team Canada thanks to finishing in third place in Pool C. Team Canada has never made it out of the pool stage, hopefully that can change next Spring.
Joey Loperfido was removed from Tuesday’s game
Early in Tuesday’s game, Joey Loperfido crashed into the outfield wall on a triple and was removed from the game. The team reported that he was removed due to neck discomfort.
UPDATE: OF Joey Loperfido was removed from today’s game with neck discomfort.
Noteably, MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson reported that Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that there are no concussion symptoms and the outfielder “should be fine”.
John Schneider says that Joey Loperfido has no concussion symptoms and should be fine. Good outcome given how awkwardly he went into the wall. #BlueJays
Loperfido was acquired in the Yusei Kikuchi trade with the Houston Astros before the 2024 trade deadline. After the trade, the outfielder slashed .197/.236/.343 with two home runs in 144 plate appearances for a 61 wRC+. Still, he has a ton of power and could challenge for a spot on the team’s 26-man roster out of Spring Training.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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