The Washington Nationals designated relief pitcher Shawn Kelley for assignment following a “tantrum” he threw during the Nats’ 25-4 rout of the New York Mets on Tuesday.
Kelley, 34, slammed his glove on the ground after he let up a home run in the ninth inning to Austin Jackson.
Shawn Kelley clearly thrilled to be closing out a 24 run lead… pic.twitter.com/I88bKNbmS8
— Tim Murray (@1TimMurray) August 1, 2018
Kelley is a 10-year pro, spending time with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees before having a breakout season in 2015 with the San Diego Padres and signing with the Nationals before the 2016 season, where he has played since then.
He had a good year in 2016 for the Nats, pitching to a 2.64 ERA in 58 innings and earning a 1.5 WAR out of the bullpen.
He couldn’t follow that performance up in 2017, pitching just 26.0 innings with an ERA over seven.
In 2018, though, Kelley seemed to be having a bit of a resurgence. He had a 3.34 ERA and a 0.959 WHIP in 32.1 IP. He has a career-best 1.4 BB/9 this year, but home runs remain an issue.
The Nationals designated him for assignment Wednesday morning, but it seems like this is about more than the glove slam. I think the Nationals just didn’t want Kelley anymore, couldn’t find a trade partner for him, and gave him the DFA today when they finally had the excuse, despite this year’s production.
Mike Rizzo on the decision to DFA Shawn Kelley: “You’re either in or you’re in the way. He was in the way.” Called him slamming his glove “disrespect” and “selfish.”
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) August 1, 2018
http://twitter.com/sung_minkim/status/1024671341797093376
Featured Image via Wikimedia Commons
