The Nationals have agreed to a minor league contract with righty Josh Lucas, per an announcement from Paul Braverman of the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies (Twitter link). Lucas will report to the Grizzlies.
It’s been a tough season for the 28-year-old Lucas, who struggled through multiple stints with the Orioles before being released. He’s totaled 15 2/3 innings but surrendered a total of 12 runs (10 earned) on 14 hits and seven walks with 16 strikeouts. His Triple-A results have struggled too, as despite a strong track record there in prior seasons, Lucas owns a 6.85 ERA (5.99 FIP) with a 19-to-12 K/BB ratio in 23 2/3 innings of work.
From 2017-18, Lucas tallied 98 2/3 innings of 2.92 ERA ball in Triple-A with a 100-to-27 K/BB ratio, so he does have a fair bit of success in the upper minors. He’ll now join a lengthy list of depth options that the Nationals have picked up in recent months. The Nats have signed Greg Holland, Sam Freeman and Jake Buchanan to minor league deals in the month of August and have regularly speculated on recently released relievers throughout the season as they work to patch together a bullpen that has been their primary weakness in 2019.
Thought it was a steal when the Cardinals landed Meisner for him. Surprised he hasn’t had more of an ML opportunity—most of the peripherals will play. 4.19 FIP in his last 30 IP.
Go bravos!
Too bad the Nationals lost! Could have easily picked up a game on the Braves. Guess they are saving it for their upcoming series. Start to record the rest of the games because braves collapse is imminent.
Still winning in AAA though!
Nats can’t beat the Os for some reason
Please update this to include my minor league signing with the Nationals, too. I’ve been assigned to the AA Harrisburg Senators.
In other news, Mike Rizzo saw Rollie Fingers at a restaurant and gave him a AAA contract……
He was good in Sweet Home Alabama!