Feb 16, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Joe Nathan (74) throws in the bullpen during spring training workouts at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Despite showing effectiveness in spring training, veteran right-hander Joe Nathan was released by the Washington Nationals on Monday.
Nathan posted a 3.86 ERA in 12 spring appearances for the Nationals as he attempts to fully return from a second Tommy John surgery. The 42-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Nationals in January, and Monday was the deadline for him to exercise an opt-out clause.
Nathan pitched 6 1/3 innings with the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs last season. He underwent surgery in April 2015 after throwing only four pitches with the Detroit Tigers and also underwent the procedure in 2010.
Nathan is eighth all time with 377 saves.
–Left-hander Scott Kazmir will start the season on the disabled list with an unspecified left hip injury, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Roberts also said shortstop Corey Seager will remain in Arizona through Friday to work on his swing after recovering from a strained oblique.
Kazmir, 33, missed most of the last two months of the 2016 season with back and neck issues. He finished with a 10-6 record and 4.56 ERA in 26 starts.
Seager, 33, will miss the first two games of the Freeway Series in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday and Friday to get more at-bats in minor league games. He will rejoin the team on Saturday for the final Freeway Series game at Dodger Stadium.
–Kansas City Royals outfielder Jorge Soler was diagnosed with a grade one oblique strain, and he likely will begin the season on the disabled list.
Soler was injured chasing a pitch out of the strike zone Sunday in a minor league spring training game and underwent an MRI exam Monday.
The injury-prone Soler missed nearly two months with a strained left hamstring last season before returning to help the Chicago Cubs win their first World Series since 1908. Soler was obtained in the offseason for closer Wade Davis and struggled to a .143 average (7-for-49) with two homers in 17 exhibition games.
–Veteran first baseman James Loney was released by the Texas Rangers.
Loney, who was competing for the backup first baseman job behind Mike Napoli, batted .174 during spring training. The 32-year-old signed a minor league contract with Texas in January, but the team signed Napoli a month later.
Last year, Loney batted .265 in 366 plate appearances for the New York Mets.
