Rainey was non-tendered by the Nationals on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Rainey completed his first full campaign since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024. He understandably showed rust early on, but he managed a 2.88 ERA with a 22:11 K:BB across 25 innings in post All-Star break action. That makes Friday's move mildly surprising, though he should have the chance to latch onto another big-league roster.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Turning things around
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Rainey has posted a 6.58 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 22:18 K:BB through 26 innings with zero wins, saves or holds in 25 appearances.
A brutal start to the season is still tainting his ratios, but Rainey has actually been an effective relief arm for the last couple months. Over his last 12 appearances dating back to May 21, the 31-year-old right-hander has been scored upon only once, and he's compiled a 2.77 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through 13 innings over that stretch. Despite that improvement, Rainey is still a shell of the pitcher he was prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022. His 93.7 mph fastball average is a far cry from the 97.0 mph he was dialing up in 2022 before his elbow gave out, and his days as a viable high-leverage bullpen option appear to be over.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Struggling to regain form
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Rainey has averaged 93.6 mph with his fastball so far in 2024, down significantly from the 97.0 mph he averaged over 30 innings in 2022 prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery that August.
In his most recent appearance Saturday, Rainey gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning but topped out at 95.1 mph, and he missed out on a decision as the Nationals went on to win in the 10th. The 31-year-old right-hander has been superficially effective since getting tagged for three runs in his first two outings of the year, and he's allowed just one run in his last six innings. His 1.50 ERA over that stretch comes with a 1.83 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB, however. Rainey has yet to record a win, hold or save in 2024, and he might need to regain his lost velocity if he's going to work his way back into a consistent high-leverage role.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Not worried about velocity
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Rainey topped out at 92 mph with his fastball while working a scoreless inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The 31-year-old right-hander made only one appearance last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022, but he's healthy coming into camp and looking to regain a high-leverage role in the Nationals' bullpen. Rainey averaged 97.0 mph with his fastball in 2022 prior to going under the knife, but he said after Thursday's game he wasn't concerned about the radar gun readings. "You go back and look at my springs the past four or five years, that's probably harder than I'm usually throwing [at this point]," Rainey said. "I've started springs before at 88-89 mph. The velocity is not an issue... Hopefully from here on, it's a normal spring training, every two or three days on the mound. Being able to work on things while I'm pitching. That way come mid-late March, we're in midseason form and ready to go." Even if he returns to form, Rainey figures to open the season behind both Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey in the pecking order for saves.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Avoids arbitration
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Rainey agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The 30-year-old righty missed almost all of 2023 on the road back from Tommy John surgery, but he tossed a scoreless inning against Atlanta on Sept. 30 and averaged 96.3 mph with his fastball. He should work in a setup role for Washington in 2024.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Activated from IL
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The Nationals reinstated Rainey (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday.
Rainey has been on the shelf all year while recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2022. He began a rehab assignment in early August of this year and posted a 3.75 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 12 innings while striking out 13 batters and walking six. Rainey may make an appearance out of the Nats' bullpen before the end of the year, but he doesn't figure to serve in a prominent role as he re-adjusts to major-league batters.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Not ruled out for 2023 cameo
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Rainey (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list before the end of the regular season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander is in the final stages of his recovery from last year's Tommy John surgery, and he's expected to throw a couple bullpen sessions this week during Washington's final homestand of the season before a decision is made on whether to activate him from the 60-day IL. "I know [pitching coach Jim] Hickey wants to see him throw up here and then see where he's at, and then we'll go from there," manager Dave Martinez said Friday. "I don't want to shut him down, I want him to continue pitching. There could be a chance that he comes up here, pitches one or two games. We'll see when that day comes." Rainey recorded 12 saves in 2022 before landing on the injured list in July, and he figures to be part of the Nats' high-leverage mix in 2024.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Remains on rehab assignment
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Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Rainey (elbow) will "get a few more outings" on his minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.
Rainey has a bit of achiness in his right arm, but Martinez labeled it as "the norm" for a pitcher who went a full calendar year between live appearances. Now more than 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, the 30-year-old reliever has posted a 5.14 ERA and 8:6 K:BB in seven rehab innings between the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Single-A Fredericksburg, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Rehab moved up to Triple-A
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Rainey (elbow) has been transferred to Triple-A Rochester to continue his rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rainey has allowed two runs with a 5:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings in his first five rehab appearances, including three scoreless outings in his last stop with Double-A Harrisburg. He has not yet pitched on back-to-back days, something he'll need to show he can do before making his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Ready for rehab assignment
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Rainey (elbow) is heading out on a rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg this upcoming week, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
He threw a bullpen session Sunday after facing live hitters Friday. Rainey is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, so his rehab assignment could be lengthier than that of the typical injured relief pitcher. Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey (elbow) should be handling the save opportunities over the rest of the season, so Rainey will likely be activated into a setup role, assuming he makes it back this year.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Will throw to live hitters
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Rainey (elbow) is set to throw to live hitters Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rainey is in the final stages of returning from Tommy John surgery. He made a rehab appearance in the Florida Complex League on Monday, where he pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. Now set to throw to live hitters at Nationals Park, the 30-year-old will throw 35-to-40 pitches. Given that he has only begun facing live hitters, a return to the big-league bullpen is not imminent, but he could be back in a couple weeks if he avoids setbacks.
Rainey (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Nationals' Florida Complex League affiliate on Monday.
Rainey is finally game-ready following a long road back from Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing reliever will eventually work his way up to higher affiliates and figures to need a good number of appearances before rejoining the Nationals' bullpen.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Moves to simulated work
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Rainey (elbow) is scheduled to make a simulated appearance Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Rainey is almost 12 full months removed from Tommy John surgery and could get into a handful of games for the Nationals before their 2023 season comes to an end. He's under club control through 2025 but might be a trade candidate this winter if he's able to prove his health.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Throws side session
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Rainey (elbow) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Friday without issue, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez suggested that Rainey might get into minor-league games before the All-Star break, which would be a little less than 12 months after his Tommy John surgery in early August 2022. He's made swift progress and could perhaps factor into the saves mix in Washington by the end of the year, given that neither Kyle Finnegan nor Hunter Harvey have distinguished themselves in a high-leverage role.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Throwing off mound
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Rainey (elbow) threw 10 pitches off a mound Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Rainey continues to make steady progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last August. The current hope is that he might be able to return to the Nationals' bullpen toward the end of the 2023 regular season.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Officially on 60-day IL
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The Nationals placed Rainey (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Rainey hopes to return in the latter portion of this season while he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, but it's not a guarantee. The Nationals were able to clear a 40-man roster spot with this transaction.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Will continue rehab in Florida
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Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday that Rainey (elbow) will continue his rehab at the team's spring training complex, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rainey is with the Nats in D.C. ahead of Opening Day on Thursday, but he'll head back to Florida on Friday. The 30-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last August and should not be counted on for any sort of fantasy production in 2023, even if he achieves his goal of making it back before September.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Progressing in throwing program
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Rainey (elbow) is currently throwing from 60 feet away as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Rainey is currently in the third week of his throwing program. The right-hander's goal is to return to the diamond by Aug. 3, which is the 12-month mark from when he underwent the surgery. When Rainey returns to the Nationals, it's possible he could see save opportunities, but he can safely be ignored in redraft fantasy formats at this point.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Avoids arbitration
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Rainey (elbow) and the Nationals agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rainey underwent Tommy John surgery in early August, so he'll make no more than a handful of appearances this season if he makes it back at all. Kyle Finnegan remains the favorite to close games in his absence.
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Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Notches 12th save
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Rainey tossed a perfect ninth inning while striking out two on his way to his 12th save in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Phillies.
Rainey made quick work of the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth frame, retiring them in order while striking out two on his way to his 12th save of the year. The closer produced a scoreless outing after he had allowed three runs over two frames in his last two appearances, including a blown save against Miami on Sunday. Rainey has now converted 12 of 16 save opportunities this season and owns a 3.54 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 36 punchouts over 28 innings in 28 appearances.
