Nationals Release Trevor Rosenthal After Disappointing 2019 Campaign
By Ryan Flores
Trevor Rosenthal's career is on a serious downhill slope. On Sunday, the 29-year-old was released by the Washington Nationals, after posting a horrific 22.74 ERA with an unsightly 5:15 K:BB ratio in just 6.1 innings pitched.
We've recalled RHP Austin Voth from Double-A Harrisburg and released RHP Trevor Rosenthal.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 23, 2019
? // https://t.co/DrLOpAJRow pic.twitter.com/Sc7iiINqhz
In a corresponding move, Austin Voth was recalled from Double-A Harrisburg to make a start Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. One which went quite well for the kid, despite not picking up the win.
Rosenthal hasn't been quite the same since his return from Tommy John surgery, and it's clear that the Nationals had lost patience with the once dominant reliever. The Nats will still owe Rosenthal approximately $3.73 million.
The struggles continue for Trevor Rosenthal, who walks all 3 batters he faced tonight and now has an ERA of 22.74 in 12 outings.
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) June 23, 2019
That is the highest ERA by any player in his first 12 outings of the season since earned runs became official in 1913.
Washington hoped that Rosenthal would be a sort of savior for the absolutely terrible bullpen that the team has. Instead, Rosenthal was a serious part of the problem, as he failed to record a single out until his fifth appearance of the season, and didn't amount to much more in his later outings.
Regardless of his struggles, at least he still has his 98 mph heater. Now that Rosenthal has returned to free agency, look for a team to pursue him on a minor league contract and see if they can make him into a sort of reclamation project.