Nats re-sign Erasmo Ramírez to 1-year deal
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WASHINGTON -- The Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year deal with right-hander Erasmo Ramírez on Tuesday, bringing back the versatile 32-year-old reliever for his second season in Washington.
Ramírez made 60 appearances in 2022, including two starts and 10 games finished. He went 4-2 with a 2.92 ERA across 86 1/3 innings.
When working out of the bullpen, Ramírez ranked first among National League relievers in innings pitched (80 1/3) and fifth in inherited runners scored (27.3 percent). He also led Nats relievers with a 2.46 ERA.
Ramírez accumulated an 18-inning scoreless streak from Aug. 12 to Sept. 11, the eighth-longest stretch by an NL reliever this past season. For Ramírez’s standout season -- which he began on a Minor League deal with the Nats and made his first five appearances with Triple-A Rochester -- he was named the Nationals 2022 Pitcher of the Year by the Washington, D.C., media.
The return of Ramírez gives the Nationals depth in a bullpen that was taxed by short starts. He can fill a coveted role of throwing multiple innings, having pitched two-plus frames in relief in 16 games (37 2/3 innings). During those appearances, he posted a 1.43 ERA.
Ramírez also brings a thoroughly studied approach to pitching. Last season, he achieved the milestone of pitching in all 30 Major League ballparks. While documenting the feat by taking pregame photos around the stadiums, he realized he was able to glean insight from the snapshots.
“Every time I was at home plate, I was like, ‘Huh, this looks different,’” Ramírez recalled in September. “Then, I started looking at it, I tried to take a picture, but from the catcher’s perspective. After that, everything is about just creating a game plan and trying to follow it.”
Ramírez is entering his 12th Major League season. He previously pitched for the Mariners (2012-14, ‘17-18), Rays (‘15-17), Red Sox (‘19), Mets (‘20) and Tigers (‘21).
To clear space on the 40-man roster, the Nationals designated right-hander Gerardo Carrillo, ranked as their No. 15 prospect by MLB Pipeline, for assignment. Carrillo was acquired in the Nats’ megatrade with the Dodgers in 2021. He went 2-1 with a 6.94 ERA across 23 1/3 innings (one start) in an injury-shortened ‘22 season.