Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Recalled by Washington
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The Nationals recalled Rutledge on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
The move gives the Nationals a long-relief option out of the bullpen for the final series of the season against the Phillies. Rutledge last pitched for the Nats on July 12, when he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings. He's spent most of the season with Triple-A Rochester, where he's posted a 4-9 record over 27 starts with a 6.40 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 128:77 K:BB across 122.1 innings. To make room on the 28-man roster for Rutledge, Washington optioned DJ Herz to the Florida Complex League.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Fans six in return to big leagues
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Rutledge did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-2 win over Milwaukee, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.
Despite pitching to a 6.66 ERA across 71.2 innings at Triple-A Rochester, the 25-year-old held his own in his first major-league start of the season. Rutledge heavily relied upon a sinker that averaged 95.0 mph, generating 10 whiffs en route to his six punchouts. The Washington right-hander should garner at least one more start post-All-Star break as DJ Herz was demoted July 8 and isn't eligible to return to the big leagues until July 23.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Moves back down to minors
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Washington optioned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.
Rutledge was solid in a spot start Friday, allowing two runs while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings against the Brewers. However, he'll head back down to the minors to make room for reliever Eduardo Salazar on the big-league roster. With Rutledge's demotion, the Nationals currently have only four healthy starters, and it's not yet certain how they'll fill the fifth rotation spot following the All-Star break, though that role could go back to DJ Herz, who had been starting for the team before being sent down to Triple-A on July 8.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Offically called up for start
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The Nationals recalled Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester to start Friday's game against the Brewers.
Rutledge will make his first MLB start of 2024, with his only other appearance with the Nationals this season coming May 14 out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old owns a 6.66 ERA across 71.2 innings with Triple-A Rochester and has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over his last 7.1 innings.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Starting Friday
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The Nationals will recall Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester to start Friday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge has appeared in just one game for the Nationals this season, allowing a run to score in one inning May 14 against the White Sox. He hasn't done a much better job preventing runs in the minor leagues, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through 71.2 frames. He'll be facing one of the National League's more dynamic offenses Friday, as the Brewers rank fourth in the NL in both OPS (.732) and runs scored (450).
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Back in minors
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The Nationals returned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester after Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.
Rutledge pitched one inning during the nightcap in what was his season debut, allowing one earned run on two hits while striking out one batter. He holds a 6.33 ERA and 1.63 WHIP through 27 innings across seven starts in the minors, and he would likely need to show significant improvement before he draws consideration for an extended stint in the big leagues.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Up as 27th man
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The Nationals recalled Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge will serve as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox and will be available out of the bullpen for both games. The 25-year-old has had a rough start at Rochester this season, holding a 6.33 ERA and 27:19 K:BB over 27 innings of work covering seven starts. He's likely to be sent back down after Tuesday's contests.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Sent to minor-league camp
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The Nationals optioned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.
Rutledge allowed just three runs and struck out seven over seven frames in three Grapefruit League appearances, but he walked five batters. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut with four starts last season but struggled to a 6.75 ERA over 20 innings. He's likely to be one of the first options to start if the Nationals deal with rotation injuries.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Getting first spring start
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Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that Rutledge will start Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge will be taking the hill on three days' rest after he made his spring debut in relief Saturday in the Nationals' Grapefruit League opener against the Astros. He worked two scoreless frames versus Houston, striking out two of the eight batters he faced while walking one and allowing a base hit. According to Zuckerman, team officials reportedly came away impressed from Rutledge's debut appearance, and the young right-hander could build a stronger claim for a spot in Washington's Opening Day rotation if he's able to to carry that momentum into Wednesday. Rutledge will need a stellar spring to cement a starting role with Washington after he was touched up for 15 earned runs on 24 hits and six walks over 20 innings in his first taste of the big leagues late last season.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Surrenders five runs Sunday
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Rutledge allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings Sunday against Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.
Rutledge was handed a four-run lead before he even took the mound but couldn't hold onto it for long. He allowed a two-run single in the bottom of the inning and a game-tying three-run blast to Marcell Ozuna in the third. The 24-year-old finished with a 6.75 ERA and 12:6 K:BB over four starts during his late-season audition for the Nationals. He had two good outings and two bad ones and figures to be in the running for a spot in the rotation for 2024.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Picks up win in matinee
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Rutledge (1-1) allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.
Rutledge turned in a second straight solid performance, keeping Atlanta's high-powered offense in check. After allowing seven runs over 3.2 innings in his debut, he's given up just three runs across his last 11.1 innings. The right-hander also sports an 8:4 K:BB at the major-league level this year. Rutledge is tentatively lined up for one more outing, which would be a rematch in Atlanta next weekend.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Better in second outing
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Rutledge did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over 6.1 innings against the White Sox. He struck out two.
It was certainly a step in the right direction for Rutledge after he was tagged for seven runs in 3.2 innings in his debut outing against Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old right-hander will likely make one more start this season, currently scheduled for next week in Baltimore, as he looks to solidify a sport in the Nationals' 2024 rotation.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Picking up another start
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Rutledge is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday versus the White Sox in Washington.
Despite getting lit up by the Pirates for seven runs on 10 hits and one walk over 3.2 innings in his MLB debut this past Wednesday, Rutledge will be awarded a second straight turn through Washington's six-man rotation. If Rutledge delivers shows improvement Tuesday, he could make one more start for Washington before the 2023 campaign comes to a close. The 24-year-old righty could get the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation next spring.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Struggles in debut
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Rutledge (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and a walk over 3.2 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out two.
It was a rocky start to Rutledge's MLB career -- the Pirates put up a four spot on the right-hander in the first inning, as he ultimately allowed seven runs without making it through the fourth inning. The 24-year-old right-hander had a solid year in the minors, pitching to a 3.71 ERA while striking out 106 across 119 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He'll be looking for better results in his second big-league outing, tentatively scheduled for next week against the White Sox.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Promoted for MLB debut
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Rutledge was recalled from Triple-A Rochester ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Pirates.
Rutledge will be making his major-league debut Wednesday night in Pittsburgh and could fit in a couple more turns in the Nationals' rotation before the 2023 season comes to a close. A first-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, the now-24-year-old right-hander had registered a 3.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 106:55 K:BB in 119 innings (23 starts) this season between Double-A and Triple-A.
Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Officially debuting Wednesday
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Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Rutledge will make his major-league debut Wednesday against Pittsburgh, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge began the season with Double-A Harrisburg and has posted a 4.44 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 50.2 innings since being promoted to Triple-A Rochester in June. The 24-year-old righty doesn't strike batters out at a particularly high rate (7.9 K/9), and he's struggled with walks (5.4 BB/9) since reaching Triple-A, so fantasy managers would be wise to temper expectations as Rutledge makes his first major-league start.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Could debut Wednesday
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Rutledge has joined the Nationals' taxi squad and could be promoted from Triple-A Rochester to make his major-league debut Wednesday versus the Pirates, Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan Washington reports.
Washington has yet to name a starter for Wednesday's game, but Rutledge looks to be the top candidate for the nod. The 24-year-old right-hander was drafted by the Nationals with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft and has worked to a 3.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 106:55 K:BB in 119 innings (23 starts) this season between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Promoted to Triple-A
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Rutledge was promoted Wednesday to Triple-A Rochester, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Rutledge was selected by the Nationals with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, but his prospect shine had faded over the last few years due to injuries and inconsistency. He has turned it all around this season, delivering a 3.16 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 68.1 innings (12 starts) at Double-A Harrisburg to earn the bump to Triple-A. The 24-year-old right-hander could perhaps get the call to Washington before the end of the 2023 campaign and should be a consideration for the Opening Day rotation in 2024.
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Nationals' Jackson Rutledge: Going deep into games at Double-A
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Rutledge has gone exactly six innings in each of his last five starts for Double-A Harrisburg, logging a 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 30 innings.
Given that Rutledge has a middling 14.7 K-BB% and a similarly mediocre 35.9 percent groundball rate, it's hard to project a high ceiling for the 6-foot-8 righty. The No. 17 overall pick in 2019, Rutledge had only two-thirds of an inning above Single-A under his belt coming into the year, so it's encouraging that he is having success while going deep into games in the upper levels of the minors.
