The Washington Nationals activated right-handed pitcher Matt Waldron after claiming him off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. In a corresponding move, they designated veteran right-handed reliever Trevor Williams for assignment. Waldron, MLB's only active primary knuckleball pitcher, began the year with the San Diego Padres, making 10 appearances for the team.
His first three appearances came as starts, though he posted a 9.88 ERA through 13.2 innings in those appearances so they moved him to the bullpen. He didn't find much more success in relief, though, posting a 6.52 ERA in three appearances out of the bullpen before he landed on the injured list. He came back in June and had four solid long relief appearances, posting a 3.86 ERA through 9.1 innings, but the Padres designated him for assignment at the end of July.
The Blue Jays took a chance on the fourth-year veteran, having him pitch four times out of the bullpen, but they designated him for assignment as well after he allowed five earned runs through 4.1 innings pitched. On the year, Waldron has a 7.54 ERA through 14 appearances, striking out 31 batters in 37 innings pitched. The Nationals had a solid first half of the season, sitting just one game under .500 at the All-Star break, but have since fallen to nine games under, and sit 9.5 games out of a postseason spot.
While the vast majority of Waldron's MLB appearances came as a starter up to this season, the most likely role for him with the Nationals comes in relief. He'll likely not be a one-inning guy, but rather a swingman who handles multiple innings in demur to high-leverage situations. The Nationals will be happy to have Waldron, as their pitching staff haven't performed up to standard this season.
Collectively, the Nationals have a 4.69 ERA, which ranks fourth-worst in MLB over the course of the season, only better than the Colorado Rockies, who play in the most hitter-friendly park in MLB, the Athletics, who play in a Triple-A ballpark in Sacramento, and the Kansas City Royals. Waldron will look to find his footing in MLB once again, as he looks to improve the Nationals' 4.80 ERA on the season and get them back on the winning track after their rough stretch.
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