RADIO
Clayton Beeter Still the Reliever to Roster for Saves in Washington
Despite a recent rough patch, Washington Natinals right-handed reliever Clayton Beeter is the best source of saves in D.C. Beeter hasn't had the best start to June -- he's allowed four earned runs on five hits while walking one and striking out four in 3 2/3 innings in three outings -- but he entered the month with a 2.30 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 12 walks, a win, four saves, and two holds for the Nationals as their top option for the ninth inning. Overall, the 27-year-old former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 out of Texas Tech University has gone 2-1 with a 3.72 ERA (4.81 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, four saves, three holds, 19 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 19 1/3 innings pitched. Before the calendar flipped to June, Beeter had six straight scoreless appearances for the Nats to solidify his role as their closer. We're not saying that Beeter is a high-end closing option in fantasy, but for managers scrounging for saves, he's rostered in just 11% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Gus Varland Earns Fifth Save, Emerging as Name to Roster in Washington's Bullpen?
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Gus Varland secured his team's 4-3 win over the Giants on Monday night after Keaton Winn blew the save for San Francisco. After the Nats plated three runs in the top of the ninth, Varland had two strikeouts while allowing a single and a walk on his way to his fifth save of the year. The 29-year-old righty has a 4.01 ERA and 3.23 FIP in his 24 2/3 innings this season and is currently sharing time at the end of games with Clayton Beeter, who earned the win on Tuesday despite giving up two runs before Varland entered. Varland seems to be the slightly better option of the two relievers at this point in the Nationals' bullpen, although both relievers have been shaky this season for fantasy production.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Clayton Beeter Tallies Another Save for Nationals, Emerging as Priority Waiver Wire Pick Up?
The Washington Nationals' carousel of closers continues, with right-hander Clayton Beeter recording the most recent two saves during the Nationals' three-game series against the Padres over the weekend. Beeter recorded the save on both Saturday and Sunday, working 2 1/3 innings, allowing one hit, and two walks with two strikeouts over the two outings. On the season, Beeter now owns a 2.30 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings pitched. He has converted on four of his six save opportunities on the season and is holding batters to a .135 batting average against. Considering Beeter got two opportunities in a row and is now tied for the team's lead in saves and save opportunities, he should be considered as a top closer fantasy option off the waiver wire in deeper formats where saves are difficult to come by. With the current state of closing pitching in MLB, Beeter's value is on the rise and is worth considering if you are struggling for saves.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Clayton Beeter Sharp in Four-Out Save, Emerging as Closer to Roster in Washington?
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Clayton Beeter was productive out of the bullpen on Saturday, successfully earning a four-out save against the San Diego Padres. Along the way, Beeter allowed two walks, but he surrendered zero runs and zero hits while striking out one batter. The 27-year-old right-hander is now up to three saves in 2026. He has dropped his ERA to 2.45 across 14 games (14.2 innings), and he hasn't allowed a run in his last 5.1 innings. Beeter has done a great job cutting down on the number of hits he's allowed this year, but most of his rate stats could use improvement. His 8.59 K/9 represents a career-low mark, and his 7.36 BB/9 and 1.23 HR/9 rates are both concerningly high. Nevertheless, the results speak for themselves, and Beeter's emergence as the potential go-to closer in Washington has boosted his fantasy stock immensely. He's still available on the waiver wire in 96% of fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gus Varland the Preferred Option For Saves in Washington?
Washington Nationals 29-year-old right-hander Gus Varland is having a decent 2026 season with a 4.32 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with four saves in six save opportunities to go along with five holds on the season. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Varland is not always used late in games solely to close; at times, he has been deployed in higher-leverage situations in the eighth or seventh inning rather than guaranteed the ninth inning with the lead on the line. Varland has never been in situations where he has closed out games in his three-year MLB career, and if he hopes to keep the role, he needs to pitch a bit better and allow fewer base runners, evident by his high WHIP. All that said, during a season when Riley O'Brien is leading MLB in save opportunities, injuries, and underperforming closers, saves have been hard to come by in category leagues. In deeper fantasy leagues, Varland should be viewed as the top option in Washington and an add in deeper formats.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Gus Varland Looking to Rebound After Rough Stretch in Washington
Washington Nationals right-hander Gus Varland has struggled in recent outings, posting a 7.11 ERA across his last seven appearances. His season ERA has climbed to 4.80 during his first year in Washington, and his role in the back end of the bullpen may begin to shrink. Varland is still 4-for-6 in save opportunities and has added four holds this season, showing the confidence the Nationals coaching staff initially placed in him during high-leverage situations. The 28-year-old is now on his fourth MLB organization after not appearing in a major league game during 2025. Varland will need to limit damage more consistently if he hopes to maintain a steady role in the struggling Nationals bullpen.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
