Hoover was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Hoover was vying for a spot in Washington's bullpen as a non-roster invitee, but a middling spring prompted the Nationals to send him to the minors to open the season. The veteran will provide bullpen depth in 2019.
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Nationals' J.J. Hoover: Links up with Washington
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Hoover agreed to a minor-league contract Friday with the Nationals, Dave Clark of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Hoover made two appearances at the big-league level with the Brewers in 2018 but lost his spot on the 40-man roster and was later released from the organization shortly after serving up a walk-off home run against the Cardinals on April 10. The right-handed reliever took some time away from baseball after getting cut loose by Milwaukee but will try to get his career back on track with the Nationals. Hoover, who owns a 4.17 ERA and 9.3 K/9 across 285 career appearances in the majors, looks destined to open the season at Triple-A Fresno but should at least receive an opportunity to vie for a spot in the big-league bullpen this spring.
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J.J. Hoover: Elects free agency
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Hoover elected to become a free agent Monday.
Hoover has opted to hit the open market after being designated for assignment and subsequently passing through waivers untouched. The 30-year-old allowed three runs on four hits and two walks across 1.1 innings with the Brewers prior to being cut loose. He'll look to latch on elsewhere as organizational bullpen depth.
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Brewers' J.J. Hoover: Clears waivers
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Hoover has been outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Hoover passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment Wednesday following his disastrous relief appearance against the Cardinals. He'll serve as bullpen depth with Colorado Springs moving forward.
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Brewers' J.J. Hoover: Dumped from roster after blown save
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The Brewers designated Hoover for assignment Wednesday.
Hoover was dropped from the 40-man roster just hours after blowing a save and taking the loss against the Cardinals. After putting away the first two batters in the bottom of the 10th inning with the Brewers clinging to a 3-2 lead, Hoover allowed a walk followed by back-to-back singles, the last of which scored the tying run. Hoover came back out for the bottom of the 11th and yielded another base hit before surrendering a walkoff two-run home run to Matt Carpenter. The inability to rein in the long ball has been an issue for Hoover throughout his career and could make other teams reluctant to trade or put in a waiver claim for the 30-year-old.
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Brewers' J.J. Hoover: Recalled from Colorado Springs
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Hoover was called up by Milwaukee prior to Saturday's game against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
In a corresponding move, the club optioned Brandon Woodruff and designated Tyler Webb for assignment. Hoover will likely serve as depth out of the bullpen after failing to crack the Opening Day roster. He logged a 3.92 ERA over 41.1 innings of relief in 52 games with Arizona in 2017.
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Brewers' J.J. Hoover: Reassigned to minors
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Hoover was reassigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday.
Hoover will serve as organizational bullpen depth after failing to secure a spot in the Brewers' Opening Day bullpen. In 52 appearances for the Diamondbacks last season, Hoover compiled a 3.92 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB across 41.1 innings.
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Brewers' J.J. Hoover: Agrees to terms with Brewers
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Hoover signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Wednesday which includes an invitation to spring training.
In December, the Diamondbacks declined to tender a contract to Hoover after the right-hander appeared in 52 games for the club in 2017. During those contests, he accumulated a 3.92 ERA with a 47:18 K:BB in 41.1 relief innings. Although Hoover was able to get out of most jams, a higher FIP of 4.75 and 1.77 WHIP point to impending regression during this upcoming campaign. Hoover will receive $1.1 million if he can make it in the majors with Milwaukee, and can earn up to $1.65 million in incentives.
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J.J. Hoover: Non-tendered by Arizona
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The Diamondbacks declined to tender Hoover a 2018 contract, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
Hoover will hit the free agent market after spending the 2017 season in Arizona. In 52 outings, he posted a 3.92 ERA and 1.77 WHIP while holding a 54:26 K:BB in 41.1 innings of relief work. The right-hander spent a little time in the minors this past year, but should be able to find a home in a major-league bullpen for the upcoming season.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Makes eighth appearance of September
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Hoover walked the lone batter he faced in the Diamondbacks' 7-2 loss to the Giants on Sunday.
Hoover rejoined the Diamondbacks when rosters expanded Sept. 1, and manager Torey Lovullo has regularly leaned on the right-hander, mainly as a specialist against same-handed hitting. The 30-year-old has already made eight appearances in September, and though he didn't get the job done Sunday, he's still tossed 3.1 scoreless innings over that span. Look for Hoover to continue seeing work as part of the bridge to closer Fernando Rodney.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Recalled from Reno
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Hoover was recalled by the Diamondbacks on Friday.
Hoover rejoins Arizona during the team's first wave of September call-ups after spending the last two weeks in Reno. The right-hander has been a regular sight in the Diamondbacks' bullpen this season, tossing 33.2 innings of relief work while compiling a 4.28 ERA.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Sent down Saturday
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Hoover was optioned to Triple-A Reno following Saturday's game, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Hoover tossed 2.2 innings (50 pitches) Saturday and would have been unavailable for a couple days, so the Diamondbacks decided to swap him out for a fresh arm ahead of Sunday's bullpen game. Look for Hoover to return in September and serve in a mop-up role.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Recalled from Triple-A
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Hoover was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
With David Peralta landing on the paternity list, Hoover was summoned back to the big club to offer bullpen depth. The 30-year-old owns a 4.82 ERA and 2.07 WHIP through 28 major-league innings this season, so he probably won't see anything other than lower-leverage situations. He'll likely head back to the minors once Peralta returns.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Sent down to Triple-A
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Hoover was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
The right-hander surrendered four runs (three earned) while recording just one out in Tuesday night's contest, leading to an unfortunate ouster from the big league roster. Hoover certainly hasn't put together the most consistent 2017 campaign, racking up an ugly 4.82 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in his first year with the D-Backs, but should have plenty of opportunities to work things out at Triple-A. Rubby De La Rosa was reinstated from the 10-day DL to take his bullpen spot.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Savaged for four runs by Braves
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Hoover (1-1) gave up four runs -- three earned -- on three hits and a walk while recording just a single out against the Braves on Tuesday.
He entered a tie game in the seventh and promptly sent things spiraling out of control, although catcher Chris Iannetta's throwing error certainly didn't help. Despite a career-best strikeout rate (by far), Hoover's been anything but an asset in his first season as a member of Arizona's bullpen after washing out of Cincinnati last year, as he now owns an atrocious 2.07 WHIP. If he can't improve on that, and fast, he may ultimately find himself cast off the roster.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Tosses two clean innings Tuesday
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Hoover tossed two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 11-2 win over the Reds. He gave up one hit and no walks and struck out a batter.
Hoover made his first appearance since June 22, after a shoulder injury had kept him on the disabled list for a little over three weeks. It was just the second time all season that Hoover was asked to cover multiple innings, but that was likely just a means of limiting the usage of the team's other relievers amid the blowout win. Hoover, who ranks fourth on the team with eight holds to go with a 3.86 ERA over 25.2 frames this season, should primarily work as a sixth- or seventh-inning setup man as part of the bridge to closer Fernando Rodney during the second half.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Reinstated from DL
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Hoover (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday.
Hoover hasn't pitched since June 22 while he's dealt with shoulder inflammation in his throwing arm. He only wound up making two rehab appearances with two of Arizona's affiliates, but he appears ready to return to his role in the bullpen after feeling "no pain" during his latest outing Thursday with Low-A Kane County. The right-hander will take the 25-man roster place of Randall Delgado, who is headed to the DL with right elbow inflammation.
Hoover (shoulder) pitched Thursday with Low-A Kane County during his first rehab appearance.
Hoover is out on a rehab assignment while he continues to recover from right shoulder inflammation that placed him on the DL on June 23. The right-hander will likely need a couple more games down in the minor leagues after allowing one earned run off two hits during Thursday's outing. On a positive note, Hoover did strike out two opposing batters in his inning of work, and should be able to return to the Diamondbacks within the next few days barring any setbacks.
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Diamondbacks' J.J. Hoover: Completes simulated game
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Hoover (shoulder) tossed a simulated game Saturday at the Diamondbacks' extended spring training facility, the Associated Press reports.
It's unclear whether Hoover will require a rehab assignment prior to coming off the 10-day disabled list, but even if that's deemed necessary, he should be on track to rejoin the Diamondbacks for their first game out of the All-Star break July 14. Hoover has compiled a 4.18 ERA, 1.99 WHIP and 36:17 K:BB over 23.2 innings this season.
Hoover (shoulder) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Hoover, who hit the 10-day disabled list June 23 with right shoulder inflammation, appears to be closing in on a return, though it's uncertain if it will come before the All-Star break. Diamondbacks manager Torey Luvollo said that Hoover would be reexamined Thursday, at which point the team will decide if the right-hander is ready to come off the DL or if he will need to pitch in a simulated game or head to the minors for a rehab assignment.
