Washington Nationals bring Sean Doolittle back home

The Washington Nationals have been busy lately. Between signing Nelson Cruz and making moves to bolster their pitching staff, the Nationals have been looking to take the steps needed to contend in 2022. Although there is still work to be done, it is a good start to the post-lockout offseason.

That work continued early Monday morning. Sean Doolittle has returned to Washington, signing a major league deal to return to the Nationals’ bullpen.

Sean Doolittle returns to Washington Nationals

It was a poorly kept secret that Doolittle was signing with the Nationals. He already had a locker at spring training in West Palm Beach set up hours after it was learned that the team had been in contact. They clearly felt that a reunion would work out for both sides.

The former All Star closer has not been the same since 2018. That continued last year as he posted a 4.53 ERA and a 1.470 WHiP in his 49.2 innings between the Reds and Mariners, striking out 53 batters with 23 walks.

Doolittle has only notched one save since the end of the 2019 season, so he is not likely to reclaim that role in Washington. However, he adds another veteran arm into a relatively unproven bullpen. Doolittle, along with Steve Cishek, gives the Nationals another former closer they could turn to in the event that Kyle Finnegan struggles in that role.

Although he may not have much left in the tank at this point, this is the sort of signing the Nationals need. He has been a solid reliever over much of his career and may be able to find that magic once more. Given his history, he is worth a gamble in Washington.

The Washington Nationals have made another move to upgrade their bullpen. Sean Doolittle is coming back home as he signed a major league deal.