Washington Nationals: Roenis Elías the capital’s next fireman

Roenis Elias has finally found his niche, as his excellent run in the bullpen is giving him a chance to be the Washington Nationals next closer.

The first time I recall watching the Washington Nationals new closer Roenis Elias pitch was when he pitched for the Lara Cardinals in 2013 the Venezuelan Winter League season

Since that day I have had a grand interest in the lefthanders’ career. A career that has seen Elías go from being a decent starter to a  very competent reliever.

The native of Guantánamo has had an up and down career and finally seems to be settling into his role as a capable closer.

Beginning of a career 

Elías signed with Seattle in 2011 as an international free agent and made his debut with big club in 2014 after winning a job in the rotation that spring.

As a rookie, he impressed the Mariners winning 10 games and posting an ERA of 3.85. But in his second season, he had a sophomore slump winning only 5 games and had an earned run average of 4.14 that season.

Inexplicably after that season, he was traded to the Boston Redsox. In total the crafty lefty made 51 starts in Seattle and had a 3.97 ERA.

Welcome to Boston

Elías was traded to Boston for Wade Miley in 2015 and for some reason spent most of the season at Pawtucket, he made only one start that season for the big club and it was against his old club Seattle on June 17.

During that start, he gave up four runs over seven innings and was optioned to Pawtucket the next day.

His stint in Boston was marred by injuries and misuse by the ball club. In total, he pitched eight innings with the big club in his two years in Beantown, even though the Sox needed quality lefthanded relief during his time there.

A Dominican League revival 

At the end of the 2016 season, and coming off a year in which he was plagued by injuries, Elías signed with the Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Winter League and shined.

The lefty started 10 games that year for the Dominican club and posted an ERA of 2.47 while striking out 37 in 43.2 innings.

His stint on the Caribbean Island did wonders in reestablishing his confidence, “There is a lot of high level talent in this league and one has to be on top of there game. I came here on my own to regain the pitcher I used to be.

“I pitched with the Águilas until I felt that I was going to be in shape for spring training. I feel ready to compete for a job in that year in spring training. ”

A return to Seattle and trade deadline addition in the Capital 

Elías returned to Seattle via trade before 2018 and made the best of his opportunities. Although he started the season at Tacoma (AAA), he was called up to Seattle in June and established himself as part of the team’s bullpen finishing the season with a 2.65 earned run average.

Coming into 2019 became the team’s new closer with the departure of Edwin Díaz and the injury to the projected closer Hunter Strickland.

The Cuban flourished in that role saving 14 games with the ball club until he was traded to the Washington Nationals before the trade deadline.

Total Elías won 4 games and posted a 3.96 ERA to go along with his saves. Heading into the season he looks like the front runner for the closer’s job in the capital.

Although an injury prevented him from pitching in the postseason he was able to see his team win a world title and will collect his first ring this season.

Wanting to represent his Homeland 

During his time in the Serie Nacional for the Guantánamo Indians, he won seven games in two seasons and still follows hi ex-team,” I follow the series very closely and was able to do so especially in the Dominican Republic via Cubavision International. I also follow the results of the Cuban League via the page Pelota Cubana.”

He is also very interested in representing Cuba in international events such as the World Baseball Classic, ” I’m very interested in representing my country because my roots are there. Various players from other countries have told me that a unified Cuban team would be a favorite to win the tournament.”

In a career that has seen its ups and downs, it looks like Roenis Elías has finally found his niche in the Washington Nationals bullpen.