Clayton Beeter

POSITIVE: Expected to be activated before Thursday's game vs. the Mets. Beeter has been out with a forearm issue. Returns to a Nationals bullpen that's been overworked; he's the next-up high-leverage arm with Gus Varland and Richard Lovelady sharing save chances.

Beeter leads the Nationals with 7 saves and a 3.62 ERA, but operates in a committee that also includes Gus Varland, Brad Lord, and Cole Henry. Washington's bullpen is one of the worst in baseball, and blown saves have already opened the door for others. Rostering Beeter requires accepting both committee risk and team context risk simultaneously.

Ten different Nationals pitchers have combined for 27 saves in 2026. Beeter returned from forearm soreness and was handed back-to-back ninth-inning leads, making him the organizational favorite — but Gus Varland (2.46 FIP in the interim) has better underlying metrics and could reclaim the role at any point. Manager Blake Butera has made no public commitment.

Beeter, Gus Varland (5 saves), and Richard Lovelady (4 saves) have split the ninth inning all season with no clear hierarchy. Beeter has found his velocity again and gets the slight edge in recent usage. In a 14+ team saves-hungry league, he is worth a speculative add — but do not expect nine innings of Beeter per week.

Washington continues to run a full closer committee with Beeter as the chair and Gus Varland and Richard Lovelady also seeing ninth-inning work. No reliable closer to own here — streaming only in the deepest of formats, and only when Washington is heavily favored in a given game.

Four blown saves on the season, yet the Nationals doubled down by optioning backup Gus Varland after last week's meltdown — confirming Beeter as the role holder despite the shaky track record. Washington leads MLB with 24 blown saves in 48 opportunities. The role is his to lose in the near term, but the floor is very low. Speculative add only in 14+ team leagues.

Four blown saves on the season, yet the Nationals optioned backup Gus Varland after Thursday's meltdown, essentially confirming Beeter as their closer going forward. The team leads MLB with 24 blown saves in 48 opportunities through 82 games — the role is unstable but his. Low floor speculation at best in standard formats.

Returned from a right forearm IL stint on May 21 and earned a four-out save against the Padres Friday — his third save of 2026 and the clearest manager trust signal yet. Gus Varland (4 SV) still leads the team, but Beeter has the best stuff. Add in 14+ team leagues.