Ferrer gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning Friday to record his third hold of the season in a 7-4 win over the Marlins.
The 25-year-old southpaw has been one of the Nationals' primary setup men to begin the season, and Ferrer is already halfway to the career-high six holds he pocketed in 2024. While his 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP through 6.2 innings aren't impressive, Ferrer's 8:2 K:BB might offer a better glimpse of how effective he's been. He's also been the victim of some bad luck in the early going with a .429 BABIP and 63.5 LOB%, both of which have plenty of room for regression to friendlier rates.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Could factor into closing picture
Rotowire
Manager Dave Martinez said earlier this week that Ferrer remains a candidate to save games for the Nationals along with Jorge Lopez, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. "As I said earlier, Ferrer will get an opportunity to close as well," Martinez said. "Right now, we're going to play matchups. But if Lopez is available, he can do it."
The back end of the Washington bullpen is in flux heading into Opening Day, after the Nationals elected to non-tender Kyle Finnegan in November coming off a 38-save season. Washington brought in Lopez over the winter on a one-year, $3 million deal, and based on Martinez's comments, Lopez -- who saved 23 games in 2022 between stops with the Orioles and Twins -- looks to be the preferred option in what could be a two-pronged approach at closer. Ferrer, meanwhile, has just one career save to his name, but he was one of Washington's top relievers in 2024 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB in 32 innings. As the southpaw option of the two relievers, Ferrer could be the choice over Lopez for save situations that arise when the Nationals face lefty-heavy lineups in the ninth inning.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Rejoins bullpen
Rotowire
The Nationals activated Ferrer (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his left shoulder. He will give the team a second left-hander in the bullpen behind Robert Garcia, something the Nationals have not had in 2024 until now.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Rehab moved to Double-A
Rotowire
The Nationals transferred Ferrer's (shoulder) rehab assignment to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Ferrer appeared in one game in the Florida Complex League, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter in 1.1 innings. He'll now join Harrisburg in order to rehab against some tougher competition, though it's still unclear whether he'll report to the Nationals or Triple-A Rochester once he's activated off the 60-day IL.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Beginning rehab assignment
Rotowire
Ferrer (shoulder) was sent to the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Thursday to begin a rehab assignment.
Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder but has finally been cleared for game action. The lefty's rehab assignment should be fairly lengthy given how much time he's missed, and he's not a given to be added to the major-league roster once his time on the 60-day injured list is over.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Shifts to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Nationals placed Ferrer (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.
The 24-year-old has been shut down from throwing since March 15 due to a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder, and he'll be sidelined for at least the first two months of the season. Ferrer is nearly halfway through his initial three-week shutdown, so he could resume throwing in early April if his shoulder checks out fine.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Officially promoted
Rotowire
The Nationals recalled Ferrer from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
The 23-year-old southpaw holds a 3.83 ERA and 1.55 WHIP alongside a 33:20 K:BB across 40 innings in Triple-A this season, and he'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game. He figures to begin his career in middle relief, but there could be openings in the high-leverage crew soon depending on what the Nationals do at the trade deadline. Patrick Corbin was placed on the bereavement list in a corresponding move.
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Nationals' Jose Ferrer: To be called up Friday
Rotowire
Ferrer will be called up by the Nationals on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Ferrer has struggled with his command this summer at Triple-A Rochester, but the 23-year-old relief prospect owns a 3.04 ERA with 235 strikeouts in 192.2 career minor-league innings. He'll probably slide into a middle-relief role initially but could see higher-leverage opportunities after the Nats shed parts at the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
