Treinen gets Nats’ closer job; Pelfrey cut

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2016 file photo, Washington Nationals relief pitcher Blake Treinen delivers in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh. Treinen will start the season as the closer for the Washington Nationals. The 28-year-old Treinen, a right-hander, has one career save. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2016 file photo, Washington Nationals relief pitcher Blake Treinen delivers in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh. Treinen will start the season as the closer for the Washington Nationals. The 28-year-old Treinen, a right-hander, has one career save. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

By Associated Press March 30, 2017 6 min read

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Blake Treinen will begin the season as Washington’s closer, even though he has only one big league save.

After the Nationals lost Mark Melancon to the San Francisco Giants in free agency, Treinen won the job over Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover.

“Blake has that turbo sinker,” manager Dusty Baker said Thursday. “He may give up a hit or a walk, but he’s always one pitch away from getting two outs with one pitch.”

PELFREY CUT

Detroit released right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who is guaranteed $8 million in the second season of a $16 million, two-year deal.