The Washington Nationals will look to make a pair of recent minor league signings pay off as the team recalled right-hander Fernando Rodney and left-hander Jonny Venters to help in the major league bullpen.
Rodney, 42, who signed a minor league deal with the Nationals in early June, was 0-2 at Triple-A Fresno with a 4.50 ERA in nine outings. In 17 games with the Oakland A’s this season, Rodney was 0-2 with a 9.42 ERA. The 17-year major league veteran has 325 career saves while pitching for 10 teams.
Venters, who was signed to a minor league deal by Washington in late May, had a 1.29 ERA at Double-A Harrisburg in nine appearances. The 34-year old had a 17.36 ERA in nine appearances earlier this season with the Atlanta Braves.
The Nationals, who have struggled out of the bullpen all season, released veteran reliever Trevor Rosenthal on Sunday. Nationals relievers have a 6.29 ERA this season, the worst in the majors heading into Tuesday.
