Derek Law’s Status

Derek Law, a key member of the Washington Nationals’ bullpen last season, will begin the year on the injured list (IL). Law has reported soreness in his throwing arm, which has limited his participation this spring. Although the injury is not significant, the team plans to activate him after the mandatory 15-day period.

Opportunities in the Bullpen

With Law’s absence opening up a temporary spot in the bullpen, four players are currently competing for three available roles: Orlando Ribalta, Eduardo Salazar, Jackson Rutledge, and Brad Lord. This competition could lead to some interesting dynamics as the team formulates its final roster.

Players in Focus

Jackson Rutledge

Initially struggling with control during his first appearance, Rutledge has rebounded well this spring, now posting a respectable 3.24 ERA. His performance may position him favorably as the season approaches.

Brad Lord

Lord has also shown reliability in his outings; however, to remain on the roster, he would need to be added to the 40-man roster. The recent addition of Colin Poche to the 40-man complicates this situation, as the team would need to designate another player for assignment (DFA) to create a space for Lord. Given the circumstances, it seems more feasible for the Nationals to option Lord to AAA.

Orlando Ribalta and Eduardo Salazar

Both Ribalta and Salazar hold options which allow them to shuttle between the Majors and AAA, adding flexibility to the roster. As Law prepares for his return, Rutledge appears to be the most likely candidate to be optioned once Law is ready to rejoin the team.

Conclusion

While the injury to Derek Law is not serious, it introduces an intriguing layer to the competitive landscape of the Nationals’ bullpen. The team will need to monitor the performances of the players vying for spots closely as they prepare for the upcoming season.