When the Washington Nationals signed Joe Nathan before the start of Spring Training, they hoped he could help the younger relievers on the team while carving a role for himself. After five rocky appearances, the chances of him making team are slim.
Despite one Nats staffer telling FanRag’s Jon Heyman Nathan looks “fantastic,” the reliever has been anything but in games.
Spring statistics are tricky to measure. For relievers, most appearances this time of year find pitchers facing a mix of major- and minor-league talent. You might face a team’s best hitter to start an inning followed by one hoping to earn a promotion in the minors.