Wander Suero made 22 appearances out of the bullpen for the Washington Nationals in the 60-game 2020 COVID campaign, finishing the season with a 3.80 ERA, a 3.02 FIP, 10 walks (3.80 BB/9), and 28 Ks (10.65 K/9) in 23 2⁄3 innings pitched, holding opposing hitters to a combined .227/.324/.318 line (.163/.280/.209 vs left-handed hitters and a .289/.365/.422 vs right-handed hitters).
Going into the offseason, the Nationals tasked the right-hander with working on building up his core strength, his legs, and his durability.
Suero, 29, apparently took the advice seriously.
“I think every year with him, after having conversations with him, come August/September, he seems to get a little bit tired,” manager Davey Martinez explained on Thursday morning, before the Nationals took on the New York Mets in Grapefruit League action.