No one seems to be addressing Rainey. He is not being used except in mop -up situations and is failing miserably. Does he have any options left? If the Nats DFA him what team would put in a claim and could they send him down rather than keep him on the 26 man. The Nats are now rostering two useless players in Nunez and Rainey.
What happens when Gray comes back from his re-hab? Does he go to the rotation and it becomes a 6 man or is Williams traded? If it isn't a 6 man who goes to the BP?
They gave some excuse for not pitching Rainey for 2 weeks then pitching him on Sunday. I forget what it was. On the plus side, he hit 95. But everything else is a minus. I suspect / hope he's DFA'd when Gray is activated. It's possible that Irvin or Parker gets sent down to save some innings from them (allow for a few short starts for Rochester), but Rainey could be waived and outrighted to Rochester if he's not claimed. At this point, I don't see anyone claiming him. He lacks options, and can't pitch at the MLB level.
Another move will be needed when Thomas is activated. That's probably when they'll pull the trigger on Robles. There is just no way on Earth they could consider sending Jacob Young down, and neither Nunez nor Vargas can be sent down. There's no other optionable guy other than your backup catcher or your best player, CJ. It's got to be Robles.
Once Gray is active, they have a few possibilities:
1) 6 man rotation, 7 man bullpen (DFA Rainey to do this and outright him after he clears waivers);
2) Send out Irvin or Parker to manage their innings (not really needed, I/M/O; they both can go 140-150);
3) DFA Rainey, move a starter (Corbin? Parker? Irvin?) to the bullpen and keep a 5 man rotation; or
4) Pull the trigger on a Williams deal.
As for Nunez, that's not really going to be an issue related to injuries.
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