Washington Nationals boost bullpen with Steve Cishek signing
The Washington Nationals have signed veteran relief pitcher Steve Cishek to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. Jon Heyman of MLB Network has added that the contract is for $1.75 million and includes incentives as well.
With Steve Cishek now in the Washington Nationals bullpen, what role could he fill in 2022?
Washington will be the eighth team that the right-handed Cishek has pitched for during a career that started on September 26, 2010. During that time, he has logged a career ERA of 2.85, WHIP of 1.198, and FIP of 3.35 in 664.1 innings spanning 668 games.
Last season, he finished his 300th career game while pitching for the Los Angeles Angels. During his lone season with the Angels, Cishek appeared in 74 games and posted a 3.42 ERA/3.74 FIP/1.493 WHIP.
Cishek recorded seven saves with the Chicago Cubs back in 2019, but has just 11 since the 2017 campaign. Look for him to have a similar role with the Washington Nationals as he did with the Angels last season, when he pitched in the sixth inning in 21 games, the seventh inning in 28 games, and the eighth inning in 25 games. He was employed in the ninth inning just nine times, so he will likely be a setup man with the Nationals as well.
In the back end of Washington’s bullpen, Kyle Finnegan returns to Washington in 2022 after recording 11 saves last year, but Tanner Rainey is expected to slide into the primary closer role this season. Rainey was anything but impressive last season, posting a 7.39 ERA and earning just three saves while battling a stress reaction to his right tibia and bouncing between Washington and Triple-A Rochester.
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Bringing on Cishek is a low-risk move for the Nationals that could not only pay dividends for the team this season, but also could be something to watch at the trade deadline as well. Should Cishek perform well and the Nationals struggle in what is expected to be a very tough National League East, don’t be surprised if he isn’t flipped to another team for prospects as Washington looks toward the future.