Washington Nationals unconditionally release Sammy Solis

Sammy Solis, 30, and a 2010 second round pick by the Washington Nationals, was released this afternoon, after he signed a 1-year/$850,000 deal back in November.

Solis posted a 6.41 ERA, a 4.92 FIP, 18 walks (4.12 BB/9), 44 Ks (10.07 K/9), and .277/.367/.490 line against in 39 1⁄3 innings pitched last season, with a .224/.337/.382 vs right-handers and a .329/.398/.595 vs left-handers overall on the year.

Nationals’ skipper Davey Martinez talked late in 2018 about hoping the lefty could bounce back and contribute to the 2019 ‘pen, after he’d struggled following a strong start in their first season together.

“I told him I’m not giving up on him and he knows that,” Martinez said. “I said you’ve got one guy to get out. When you fall behind, 3-2, big league hitters, especially a guy that’s been hot, good chance he’s going to hit the ball hard somewhere. But Sammy early in the year helped us win a lot of big games, and then he kind of lost it a little bit, but I’m not going to give up on him, I’m not.”

“I think now he’s just frustrated. He’s just got to home this winter and kind of regroup and understand who he is and come back ready to go in the Spring.”

Before he was released today, Solis had given up a run on three hits in four innings of work in Grapefruit League action, but as MASN’s Mark Zuckerman noted on Twitter after news of the roster move, the Nats do save some money by making the move today:

With Solis released, the Nationals have two left-handed relievers on the 40-Man roster, Sean Doolittle and Matt Grace, and another lefty, veteran Vidal Nuño (who is a non-roster invitee), in camp competing for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.