RADIO
Clayton Beeter Still the Primary Closer in Washington
Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Clayton Beeter is the Nationals' primary closer and is widely available on the waiver wire if you need saves down the stretch -- he's rostered in only 17% of Yahoo leagues. The 27-year-old hasn't been perfect by any means, but he has 10 more saves than the next closest reliever in the Nats' bullpen. In his third major-league season and first full year in D.C., Beeter has recorded a 5-3 record, 3.55 ERA (5.13 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, a career-high 12 saves, and a 39:24 K:BB in 38 innings pitched over his 40 appearances out of the bullpen. Since the All-Star break, he's allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits (two homers) while walking six and striking out eight for two wins, a loss, five saves, one blown save, and a hold. Beeter's 15% walk rate makes him volatile for sure, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues may have no choice, and the good news is that nobody else in Washington's bullpen is really challenging him for saves.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Clayton Beeter Still Carries Deep-League Waiver-Wire Appeal
Across 36 innings (38 games) in 2026, Washington Nationals right-hander Clayton Beeter has recorded a 3.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 37 strikeouts, 12 saves, and five wins. The 27-year-old has issues with both command (15.1% walk rate) and home runs (1.50 HR/9), which is a dangerous combination for a high-leverage reliever. Beeter's strikeout rate has also nosedived this season to 24.3%, down from 31.7% in 2025. Still, Washington has consistently relied on Beeter to work the ninth inning, especially of late. Across his last seven outings, Beeter has recorded four saves. Fantasy managers should be wary of Beeter's blow-up potential and should not expect him to provide high-end closer production. However, he remains a worthy deep-league waiver wire target for managers in need of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Clayton Beeter Remains a Viable Deep-League Saves Source Despite Recent Struggles
Across 33 innings (30 games) in 2026, Washington Nationals right-hander Clayton Beeter has recorded a 4.09 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 34 strikeouts, and 11 saves. The 27-year-old has run into some struggles of late, allowing six earned runs across his last 5 2/3 innings (six appearances). However, Beeter has also logged four saves in that span and appears to be the clear preferred option in the ninth inning for Washington. Beeter's underlying metrics hint at some warning signs, as he's posted a 14.8% walk rate and has allowed 1.64 HR/9. Still, he remains a worthy deep-league waiver wire target for fantasy managers in desperate need of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Clayton Beeter Establishing Himself as the Preferred Closer Option in Washington
Across 31 2/3 innings (33 games) so far in 2026, Washington Nationals right-hander Clayton Beeter has recorded a 3.69 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 33 strikeouts, and 10 saves. While Washington has not deployed Beeter as its sole closer for the entirety of the season, he's the only reliever on their current active roster with more than two saves. The 27-year-old has also seen more traditional closer usage of late, as he's logged three saves in his last four appearances out of the pen. Beeter's command remains a red flag in his profile, as he's logged a 14.7% walk rate this year and owns a 15.3% walk rate across 60 2/3 career MLB innings. However, he's recorded a 57.7% ground-ball rate this season and has strikeout upside, as he's struck out 27.8% of the batters he's faced as a big leaguer. While Beeter may not provide fantasy managers with high-end closer ratios, he's clearly the preferred option in the ninth inning for the Nationals right now and profiles as a worthy deep-league source of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Clayton Beeter's Eight Saves Keep Him in the Deep-League Mix
Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Clayton Beeter gave up the deciding solo home run in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to Colorado, taking his third loss of the season. Two days earlier, he worked 1 1/3 innings for his eighth save against the Athletics. That swing captures the appeal and the risk. Beeter now has a 3.94 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings. The saves are useful. The role is not settled. Beeter has also walked 19 batters and blown five save chances, while Washington has used him before the ninth when the matchup called for it. RotoBaller keeps him in the 15-team range, which fits. Managers chasing saves in deeper formats can take the volatility, but Beeter should not be treated like a secure closer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Clayton Beeter Be a Big-Time Closer Pickup?
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Clayton Beeter leads his team with seven saves on the season, and he seems to have the job as primary closer under control going into the All-Star break. He did blow a save and take a loss on Saturday, though, allowing two home runs and three hits without recording an out against the Yankees. He entered the game with a one-run lead with one out in the eighth inning and allowed homers to Trent Grisham and Paul Goldschmidt. Before that outing, he had not allowed a hit in five straight appearances, earning a win, a save, and two holds over that stretch. Manager Drew Butera has been very unpredictable in his bullpen usage this season, although he doesn't have many great options to choose from. Beeter is probably the best option in the bullpen, but the situation has been very unpredictable all season. He's one of the best widely available closer options for saves, but he has been a wild ride for fantasy managers all season. Unless the Nats bring in a closer at the Trade Deadline, he'll remain in a high-leverage role with boom-or-bust upside. If you're desperate for saves, he's worth a look, but be ready for some major volatility.
Source: RotoBaller.
Source: RotoBaller.
Clayton Beeter Earns Save No. 7, Emerging as Must-Add Target?
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Clayton Beeter closed out a wild win over the Astros on Monday night, entering the game with a 12-11 lead and getting four outs for his seventh save of the year. After Cole Henry allowed four runs in the eighth inning, Beeter came into the game and retired Jose Altuve to end the inning. He worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning, striking out Yordan Alvarez along the way to his fourth straight scoreless outing. Beeter leads the team with his seven saves and only needed 12 pitches to get his four outs on Monday. While the Nats' bullpen is still a wild place in general, Beeter does seem to be the top closer option for now. If you need saves, he's a great pickup off the waiver wire, although getting to him with a lead has been a challenge for the Nationals lately, which does limit his opportunities.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nationals Call Up Pitching Prospect Eddy Yean, Worth a Look in Deep Leagues?
Washington Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Eddy Yean is being called up to the major leagues from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. In a corresponding move, the Nationals designated outfielder Robert Hassell III for assignment to clear space on the team's 40-man roster. Yean, a 25-year-old Dominican hurler, will make his big-league debut after going 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 19 walks in 40 innings over 39 relief appearances this year at Rochester. Yean is not listed among MLB Pipeline's top-30 Nationals prospects in 2026 and will most likely have a lower-leverage role in the Nats' bullpen for his first stint in the majors just before the All-Star break from July 13-16. Fantasy managers in all formats can probably hold off on Yean for now, as he could be sent right back to Rochester sooner rather than later.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Clayton Beeter a Priority Saves Target on the Waiver Wire?
Across 25 1/3 innings (25 games) in 2026, Washington Nationals right-hander Clayton Beeter has recorded a 3-1 record with a 3.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 28 strikeouts, and six saves. The 27-year-old's control of the strike zone remains a major concern, as he's posted a 16.5% walk rate this season and owns a 16.2% walk rate for his big-league career. Still, Beeter is averaging 95.6 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 25.7% of the batters he's faced this season. Washington has opted for a committee approach to the ninth inning so far this season, so fantasy managers should not expect Beeter to see every save opportunity for the Nationals. Still, Beeter missed nearly a month of action earlier this season with a forearm injury and is still first in saves among relievers currently on Washington's active roster. Fantasy managers in need of saves should target Beeter on the waiver wire in leagues where he remains available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Clayton Beeter the Closer to Roster in Washington?
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Clayton Beeter closed out his team's 4-1 victory over the Phillies on Monday night by working a clean ninth inning with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Beeter entered with a three-run lead and gave up a leadoff single to Bryce Harper, who was erased on a double-play ball before Beeter struck out pinch-hitter Justin Crawford to end the game. The 27-year-old righty has successfully converted back-to-back save chances and has not allowed a run in four of his last five outings with eight strikeouts, a 1.00 WHIP and 1.70 FIP. He remains the team's top closing option, and should be available on Tuesday after needing just six pitches to earn his sixth save of the season on Monday. He's a solid end-of-game option if you need saves from your fantasy bullpen, and he should continue to get opportunities for the surprising Nats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Clayton Beeter Earns Fifth Save, Becoming Priority Waiver Target?
Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter earned his fifth save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The 27-year-old allowed one run on one hit and two walks (one intentional) but escaped further damage by striking out the final two batters with the tying run at second base. Beeter is now 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 25 strikeouts, and has earned five saves over 22 1/3 innings. The ninth-inning picture is not completely settled, as Gus Varland leads Washington with six saves and converted an opportunity earlier in the week. Still, Beeter received the club's latest save chance and has the strikeout ability to remain prominently involved. Only 11% rostered on Yahoo, he should be prioritized in deeper leagues by fantasy managers willing to navigate a committee for potential saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Clayton Beeter Can be a Top Closer Addition Off the Waiver Wire
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Clayton Beeter hit a few bumps in the road early in June, but he seems to have regained his footing and remains the top closer option for the Nationals. Beeter gave up two runs in back-to-back appearances to start the month, but he has bounced back with three scoreless innings in his last three games. He hasn't allowed a hit in those outings and has racked up five strikeouts while walking just one. Gus Varland did get the team's most recent save on Tuesday, but Beeter had pitched back-to-back days in non-save situations coming into that contest. After getting two days off, he is positioned well for potential closing opportunities this weekend in Tampa Bay and can be a solid option if you're shopping for saves on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nationals Turn to Gus Varland to Earn Tuesday's Save, Is he the Primary Closer?
Washington Nationals right-hander Gus Varland picked up his sixth save of the season on Tuesday, working around a solo home run to secure a win over the Royals while striking out one batter. Varland now leads the Nationals in saves and has taken a step in the right direction after a rough stretch recently. His 33.5 percent chase rate ranks in the 80th percentile and highlights the quality of his arsenal in high-leverage situations. The 29-year-old owns a 5.20 ERA and 1.66 WHIP, but he has continued to receive opportunities in the ninth inning. If Varland can string together a few more effective outings, he could solidify his grip on the closer role and become a more relevant fantasy option moving forward.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Orlando Ribalta Emerging as a Name to Know for the Nationals?
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Orlando Ribalta has been very effective as a setup man for the Nationals this season and could be a key name to watch if Clayton Beeter stumbles as closer. Ribalta has posted an impressive 1.80 ERA with a 3.40 FIP in his 20 appearances this season, earning two saves and four holds over 20 innings. He only has 14 strikeouts, so he isn't an elite strikeout producer, but he has limited his walks and only allowed a .171 batting average against him. Ribalta isn't a must-add until his role changes in standard-sized leagues, but he's definitely pitching effectively enough to watch closely. In shallower leagues where bullpen arms are stretched thin, he could be a nice speculative pickup from the waiver wire if you're trying to get ahead of the ever-shifting bullpen roles in Washington.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nationals Prospect Robert Cranz Moving to Triple-A, Approaching Stash Territory?
The Washington Nationals are promoting right-handed pitching prospect Robert Cranz to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, according to Chase Ford of Milb Central. The 23-year-old former seventh-round pick in the 2024 MLB draft out of Oklahoma State University will move up to the highest level of the minors after combining to go 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 50:15 K:BB, and four saves in 29 2/3 innings pitched in 22 relief appearances between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg. Cranz is currently unranked as one of the Nationals' top prospects, but if he keeps pitching like he has so far in 2026, he should sneak into the team's top-30 rankings at MLB Pipeline. He has worked almost exclusively in high-leverage situations out of the bullpen on the farm, displaying plenty of swing-and-miss stuff. Cranz could continue to be a fast riser in the Nationals' system, but it remains to be seen if he's a realistic candidate to debut in the big leagues in 2026. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues looking for improvements from their relief corps will want to keep a close eye on Cranz.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
