Washington Nationals Non-Tender Left-Hander Doug Slaten.

• Non-Tendered: Doug Slaten allowed a staggering 47% of inherited runners to score in 2011 in his time as the LOOGY of the Washington Nationals' bullpen. The 31-year-old veteran of six MLB seasons, whose ties to D.C. GM Mike Rizzo from the Nats' general manager's time in Arizona led him to the nation's capital when he was claimed off waivers in 2009, was non-tendered tonight according to Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) and confirmed by the Nationals (@NationalsPR). The decision comes after a 2011 season in which opponents hit .356 off the lefty, with left-handers putting up a .333/.368/.639 line against him. In 2010, Slaten had a 3.10 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 7.97 K/9 and 4.20 BB/9 in 49 games and 40.2 IP, holding left-handed hitting opponents to a .151/.235/.151 line...

Slaten was limited to 31 games and 16.1 IP in 2011 by irritation to the ulnar nerve in his left elbow which kept him off the mound in the majors from June 3rd through September 4th. When the Arizona Diamondbacks' 17th Round pick in the 2000 Draft returned to the Nats' bullpen in September, he gave up eight hits and six runs, five earned in eight games and 3.0 IP. Slaten ended his second year in Washington with a 4.41 ERA, 5.66 FIP, 7.16 K/9 and 4.96 BB/9.

According to several reports, contracts will be tendered to the other six Nationals about whom a decision had to be made before tonight's midnight deadline: RHPs Tyler Clippard and Jordan Zimmermann, LHPs Tom Gorzelanny and John Lannan, first baseman Michael Morse and catcher Jesus Flores. Tonight's non-tender of Slaten leaves the Nationals with 36 men on the 40-Man Roster.