Fantasy News

• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Up to seven saves

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2024

  Finnegan earned the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Dodgers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning. Finnegan's now gone seven appearances (6.2 innings) without allowing an earned run. He's up to seven saves on the year, tying Ryan Helsley and Clay Holmes for the league lead. The 32-year-old Finnegan lowered his ERA to 3.24 with a 1.32 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB through his first 8.1 innings this season.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Nails down another save

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  Finnegan picked up a save against the Dodgers on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning. Finnegan was staked to a two-run lead when he entered in the ninth inning, and he retired all three batters he faced to close out the contest. The right-hander is tied for the league lead with six saves on the campaign, and he's held the opponent without an earned run in all but one of his eight outings. Finnegan came into the season with a shaky hold on the closer role for the Nationals, but he appears to be firmly in control of ninth-inning duties for the time being given his success rate so far.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Picks up save No. 5

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2024

  Finnegan picked up the save Saturday in Oakland, striking out one in a perfect inning. Finnegan was tasked with protecting a two-run lead and did so without a sweat, requiring just nine pitches to dispose of the Athletics in order. While he has an un-closer-like 4.26 ERA, Finnegan is tied for the National League lead with his five saves. Hunter Harvey -- who pitched a scoreless eighth inning Saturday -- has yet to notch a save.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Tagged with loss Friday

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2024

  Finnegan (0-2) took the loss Friday, giving up an unearned run on a hit and a walk in the 10th inning against the A's. He struck out one. The right-hander couldn't prevent the phantom runner from crossing the plate, even after intentionally walking Shea Langeliers to lead off the 10th to set up a potential double play. Finnegan has been shaky to start the season, posting a 6.75 ERA and 5:5 K:BB through 5.1 innings, but he's converted four of five save chances and his spot as the Nats' closer doesn't seem to be at risk for now.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Avoids disaster, earns fourth save

  Rotowire Apr 10, 2024

  Finnegan picked up the save Tuesday against San Francisco, allowing two hits and two walks over 1.1 scoreless innings with no strikeouts. Finnegan got himself in plenty of trouble Tuesday, allowing back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases with no outs to start the ninth. With just two runs of cushion, it seemed like Finnegan was heading toward his second blown save of the season. However, he was able to get a force out at home on a fielder's choice and then got Matt Chapman to ground out into the game-ending double play. While fantasy managers have had to hold their breath during some of Finnegan's outings, he's received more save chances than expected thus far with the Nationals sitting just one game under .500.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Nails down third save

  Rotowire Apr 7, 2024

  Finnegan earned the save Sunday against Philadelphia, allowing no hits and one walk over a scoreless inning while striking out one. Finnegan took another step away from his March 31 blown save, registering a second consecutive scoreless and hitless outing en route to his third save of 2024. With the Nationals still in the basement of the National League, Finnegan likely won't have much room to grow from his 28-save total in 2023, but he appears to be locked in as the club's closer in the early part of the campaign.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Blows save, takes loss

  Rotowire Mar 31, 2024

  Finnegan (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Sunday against the Reds. He allowed three runs on three hits and no walks with no strikeouts over two-thirds of an inning. Finnegan began his outing Sunday by promptly generating two outs via lineouts and looked well on his way to a second save in as many days. However, the Reds lineup had a different idea as the next three batters each produced an extra-base hit. Finnegan yielded a double to Jonathan India, a game-tying homer to Will Benson and a walk-off homer to Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Finnegan didn't have the strongest grip on the Nationals' closer job before this game, so keep an eye on this bullpen, as Hunter Harvey could easily enter the discussion for saves in Washington.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Picks up first save of 2024

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2024

  Finnegan allowed one walk and struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Saturday en route to his first save of the season. Finnegan faced a late challenge to his Opening Day availability in the form of back tightness, and he just so happened to take a comebacker off his ankle in his return to Grapefruit League action March 21. Despite those setbacks, Finnegan managed to start the season on time, and he now has his first save of the new campaign. Hunter Harvey allowed two runs in the eighth inning but was credited with the win after Alexis Diaz squandered the lead for Cincinnati in the top of the ninth.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Managing back issue

  Rotowire Mar 18, 2024

  Finnegan has been unavailable lately due to back tightness but will throw a bullpen session Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Assuming he comes out of Monday's session with no issues, Finnegan will pitch in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. The right-hander is at the top of the Nationals' bullpen hierarchy but could face some competition for saves from Hunter Harvey.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Adds new wrinkle to arsenal

  Rotowire Mar 1, 2024

  Finnegan threw three sweepers at 84-85 mph among his 15 pitches during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports. The 32-year-old right-hander has gotten solid results in his big-league career with a fastball that averaged 97.3 mph in 2023 along with a a splitter and occasional slider that both sit about 90 mph, but Finnegan worked this offseason to add something slower to his arsenal to give batters a different look. The early results Wednesday with the sweeper were encouraging, as one of them generated an awkward swing on strike three from Ceddanne Rafaela. Finnegan threw his fastball 70 percent of the time last year and that likely isn't going to change, but the sweeper could help boost a strikeout rate that sunk to a career-low 21.9 percent. After recording a career-high 28 saves in 2023, Finnegan will be in the closing mix this season for the Nationals along with Hunter Harvey and potentially Tanner Rainey.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Avoids arbitration

  Rotowire Jan 11, 2024

  Finnegan agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Finnegan served as the Nationals' primary closer in 2023, recording 28 saves. He had an uneven performance overall, however, posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.30 WHIP to go along with a 63:24 K:BB across 69.1 innings. He'll likely begin the 2024 campaign in the ninth-inning role, but Hunter Harvey could overtake him fairly quickly.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Records save to end 2023

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2023

  Finnegan picked up his 28th save of the year in a 10-9 win over Atlanta on Sunday. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out one over an inning. Finnegan was spotted a two-run lead after the Nationals were able to climb ahead in the top of the ninth. He allowed a solo home run to Marcell Ozuna, and Michael Harris followed up with a double, though Finnegan was able to retire the next two batters to put a cap on the season with a win. The 31-year-old finishes 2023 with a 3.76 ERA and 63:24 K:BB in 69.1 innings and should be the frontrunner to close again for the Nationals next year as long as he isn't traded.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Hangs on for 26th save

  Rotowire Sep 20, 2023

  Finnegan picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over an inning. The White Sox made things interesting in the ninth, cutting the Nats' lead to 4-3, but Finnegan ultimately got Elvis Andrus to fly out, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It's been a rocky stretch for Finnegan, who's now allowed eight runs over his last six appearances (5.2 innings). Still, the right-hander appears to have a solid grasp on the closing job in Washington as he improved to 26-for-34 in save chances this season. Through 66.1 innings on the campaign, Finnegan sports a 3.66 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Escapes with 23rd save

  Rotowire Aug 25, 2023

  Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings. Finnegan entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and made things interesting by allowing singles to Oswald Peraza and Gleyber Torres. Peraza would then come around to score on a Giancarlo Stanton two-out single, but Finnegan was able to retire the next batter and escape with his 23rd save of the season. The right-hander has converted his last 12 save opportunities, though he's also allowed a run in three of his last four appearances.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Collects 18th save

  Rotowire Aug 9, 2023

  Finnegan recorded his 18th save of the season in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning. The right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 11 appearances and 10.2 innings, a stretch in which he's converted seven straight save chances while posting a 12:1 K:BB. Finnegan appears to have a firm hold on the closer job for the Nationals, and even if Hunter Harvey (elbow) is able to return before the end of the season, he might have to settle for setup work.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Earns 16th save

  Rotowire Aug 5, 2023

  Finnegan picked up the save Friday against the Reds. He struck out two in a perfect 10th inning. After the Nationals took the lead against Alexis Diaz in the top of the 10th, Finnegan closed the door, firing 13 of his 15 pitches for strikes. The right-hander lost the closer job earlier this season, but Hunter Harvey is now on the injured list with an elbow injury and the Nationals have made it clear that they will be cautious with the oft-injured hurler. Finnegan, for his part, has looked a lot more worthy of save chances of late, allowing just two hits over eight straight scoreless appearances.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Slams door for 15th save

  Rotowire Jul 31, 2023

  Finnegan struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday. Finnegan tossed 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and had no issue finishing off the 5-3 win Monday. He's allowed just two hits during his 5.2-inning scoreless streak. While he's converted just 15 of his 22 save chances this season, Finnegan's season ERA sits at a solid 3.00 with a 43:14 K:BB through 45 innings.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Nails down 14th save

  Rotowire Jul 26, 2023

  Finnegan gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 14th save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Rockies. The right-hander has gone 3-for-3 in converting save chances since Hunter Harvey (elbow) landed on the injured list. Finnegan's 3.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB through 42.2 innings on the season aren't elite, but he could still be of interest to a contender looking for setup help as the trade deadline approaches.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Notches save Friday

  Rotowire Jul 21, 2023

  Finnegan worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save Friday versus the Giants. Finnegan needed only nine pitches to retire Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski and Patrick Bailey in order and ice a 5-3 victory for the Nationals. It was the 13th save of the year for the right-hander, who lowered his season ERA to 3.24 in the process. Finnegan is under team control through 2025, but he could be a hot name on the trade market as the Aug. 1 deadline approaches.

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• Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Secures seventh save

  Rotowire May 4, 2023

  Finnegan picked up the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Cubs, tossing a scoreless ninth in which he gave up two hits. He didn't strike out or walk any batters. Finnegan allowed back-to-back singles to lead off the ninth, but he was able to secure his seventh save after inducing a double play. It was the second night in a row the right-hander was called upon to shut down the Cubs, and he's now converted six consecutive chances after giving up five runs versus Tampa Bay on April 4. Overall the numbers still don't look pretty (6.00 ERA and 1.58 WHIP), but Finnegan has allowed just one run over his past 10 outings (9.2 innings) and holds a 10:2 K:BB during that stretch.

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