Nationals' Joaquin Benoit: Still not back to pitching
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Benoit (forearm) never returned to full pitching in 2018, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Benoit strained his right forearm back in spring training, and according to Zuckerman, he also picked up a shoulder injury along the way. Either way, the veteran was never able to ramp up his throwing and even declined surgery to fix the issues due to his age (41). This rough development and his middling performance in 2017 suggest he'll have a tough time finding work ahead of the 2019 season.
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Nationals' Joaquin Benoit: Transferred to 60-day DL
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Benoit was moved to the 60-day disabled list Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Benoit was removed from the 40-man roster in order to make room for Mark Reynolds, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Syracuse. The move is largely a bureaucratic one, as Benoit is still several weeks away from returning from a forearm strain.
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Nationals' Joaquin Benoit: Back to throwing Friday
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Benoit (forearm) began a throwing program Friday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.
This is a big step forward for the veteran reliever, as he had been unable to play catch since incurring a forearm strain at the end of spring training. However, given how long it's been since he's taken part in baseball activities, he'll likely need a few more weeks before a full return to action, though his return timetable should become clearer once he starts his rehab assignment.
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Nationals' Joaquin Benoit: Has yet to resume throwing
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Benoit remains sidelined with a strained forearm and has yet to resume a throwing program, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.
Benoit has been dealing with this specific injury since the final week of spring training and it doesn't appear to be going away, as it's been over three weeks since the 40-year-old has played catch. At this point, it seems likely that he won't be back in action until the end of April, assuming he's able to start a throwing program in the near future. Expect an update on his status once he resumes activities.
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Nationals' Joaquin Benoit: Placed on disabled list
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Benoit (forearm) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.
Benoit has been battling a strained forearm throughout camp and will need more time to get up to speed before starting his season. He'll fill a middle-relief role for the Nationals upon his return. Trevor Gott and Austin Adams are the leading candidates to fill his spot in the bullpen while he remains injured.
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Nationals' Joaquin Benoit: Will open season on DL
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Benoit acknowledged Wednesday that he's dealing with a strained right forearm and will open the season on the disabled list, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.
The 40-year-old is slated to work in middle relief this season for a deep Nationals bullpen, but he'll need some time to recuperate as the elbow issue has hindered him throughout the spring. Benoit was hit hard in his three Grapefruit League appearances before being shut down for the past week, so he'll remain in Florida for extended spring training and continue rehabbing until he feels ready to pitch for the big club. The Nationals are expected to fill his spot in the bullpen with another right-handed option, with Trevor Gott and Austin Adams seemingly representing the top candidates.
Nationals' Joaquin Benoit: Reaches deal with Nationals
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Benoit signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Nationals on Monday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports.
The 40-year-old reliever recorded a 4.65 ERA in 50.1 innings with Pittsburgh and Philadelphia last season. It was his worst ERA since 2008, but his 5.17 xFIP indicates that it was well deserved. His strikeout rate of 21.6 percent fell to exactly league average, though his fastball velocity took a slight uptick to 94.8 mph. His days of being a high-leverage reliever are probably over, but he may still have enough left in the tank to hold down a big-league job.
Pirates' Joaquin Benoit: Away from team with family issue
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Benoit left the Pirates to attend to a family matter in the Dominican Republic, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
It's unclear how long Benoit will be away from the team, but Daniel Hudson, George Kontos and A.J. Schugel will be in charge of getting the ball to Felipe Rivero in the meantime. Benoit, who owns an unimpressive 4.65 ERA through 50.1 innings this season, will return to a setup role out of Pittsburgh's bullpen once he returns.
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Pirates' Joaquin Benoit: Activated from disabled list Friday
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Benoit (knee) was reinstated from the 10-day DL on Friday.
Benoit rejoins the team prior to Friday's game against the Reds following a 10-day stay on the disabled list. The right-hander was able to toss a simulated game Tuesday and appears to be at full health going into the weekend.
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Pirates' Joaquin Benoit: Slated for simulated game
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Benoit (knee) will throw a simulated game Tuesday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
If Benoit can get through Tuesday's simulated game without issue, there's a good chance he'll be able to return when eligible Sept. 1. It's unclear whether the Pirates will bother with a rehab stint at this point; expect an update Wednesday, once the club can evaluate the impact of the simulated game on Benoit's knee.
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Pirates' Joaquin Benoit: Hits disabled list with knee issues
Rotowire
Benoit (knee) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday.
One day after a 38-pitch outing -- his most in a game since April 2012 -- Benoit hits the disabled list with inflammation in his left knee. It's uncertain if he will be ready to return right away when eligible Sept. 1.
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Pirates' Joaquin Benoit: Finding outs hard to come by
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Benoit allowed two hits, two walks and two runs while retiring just one batter Friday against the Padres.
He's served up homers in both of his outings since coming over in a trade to the Pirates. As a result, Benoit could become relegated to pitching in low-leverage situations until he finds his bearings.
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Pirates' Joaquin Benoit: Traded to Pittsburgh
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The Phillies traded Benoit and cash considerations to the Pirates for minor-league pitcher Seth McGarry on Monday.
Benoit compiled a 4.07 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 42 innings this season before being dished. The Pirates just traded fellow reliever Tony Watson to the Dodgers, so the right-handed Benoit will likely slide into the lefty's old setup role.
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Phillies' Joaquin Benoit: Fading as 40th birthday approaches
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Benoit has 17 strikeouts in 13.2 innings since coming off the disabled list June 11.
Despite now sitting at 36 strikeouts on the season, it appears the stress on Benoit's arm has finally caught up to him as he's posting his first ERA over 4.00 since 2008 with Texas. The velocity hasn't been the problem, with his fastball actually averaging a career best 94.9 mph. Instead, the main issue has been the control as batters are seeing his pitches and getting contact against him at consistent rates.
Phillies' Joaquin Benoit: Activated from disabled list Sunday
Rotowire
Benoit (knee) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday.
Benoit was placed on the DL with a left knee sprain on June 3 but is set to return after needing the minimum 10 days to recover. He'll slot back in as one of the team's late-inning setup options. Benoit held a 3.68 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with eight holds before his trip to the DL.
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Phillies' Joaquin Benoit: On track to come off DL on Sunday
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Benoit (knee) remains on track to come off the disabled list Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Benoit tossed a bullpen session Friday as scheduled. He has been on the disabled list since straining his left knee last weekend while walking down a flight of stairs.
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Phillies' Joaquin Benoit: Could come off DL on Sunday
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Benoit (knee) could be activated from the disabled list Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Benoit has been on the disabled list since straining his left knee last weekend while walking down a flight of stairs. He threw a bullpen session Wednesday and will throw another one Friday.
