Evan Reifert sent back to Tampa after walk filled Spring Training
The Washington Nationals decided they couldn’t afford to keep Rule 5 pick Evan Reifert on the active roster. Today they announced they will be sending the right-handed pitcher back to the Tampa Bay Rays, clearing up a 40 man roster spot.
Reifert had a strong 2024 campaign in Double-A for the Rays, leading the Nats to select him in the Rule 5 draft. However, he walked 12 batters in 6.1 innings this spring. The Nationals decided they couldn’t waste a roster spot on a guy with that kind of control.
Rule 5 selections have to be on the big league roster for an entire season, or else they have to be sent back to their original team. It is why Nasim Nunez stuck around despite barely playing last year.
However, with the Nats looking to win more games this year, they didn’t want an unusable reliever on the roster. Reifert’s lack of control made him unusable. The 25 year old has a nasty slider and big time strikeout numbers, but you have to throw strikes in this league.
This adds clarity to the bullpen situation as well. Right now, Orlando Ribalta and Eduardo Salazar are the favorites to claim the last two spots in the bullpen. However, Brad Lord has emerged as a bullpen option as well.
Reifert will now go back to Tampa’s minor league system where he looks to regain his control. The kid has talent, he just could not find the zone this spring. This ended up becoming a decision the Nats just had to make.