Nationals' Colin Poche: Signs with Washington as NRI
Rotowire
The Nationals signed Poche to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
It's a bit of a surprise that Poche had to settle for a minor-league deal, as the left-hander has collected a 3.27 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 158:59 K:BB over 156.2 innings across the last three seasons. He has a good chance to make the Opening Day roster and could even get high-leverage opportunities in a Nationals bullpen that lacks established arms.
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Rays' Colin Poche: No contract from Rays
Rotowire
Poche was non-tendered by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Poche has been a key high-leverage reliever for the Rays the last several seasons, picking up a combined 65 holds since 2022. He's also posted a WHIP no worse than 1.16 in that span, meaning he should be in relatively high demand on the open market.
The Rays activated Poche (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Poche has been out all month with left shoulder inflammation but will skip a rehab assignment and go directly back into the big-league bullpen. The left-hander could be in the mix for saves down the stretch as part of an unsettled Tampa Bay closer situation.
The Rays placed Poche on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left shoulder inflammation.
Poche has allowed five earned runs over 6.1 innings since the start of August, and he hasn't pitched in a game since Tuesday. He'll now be shelved until at least mid-September, and the Rays will promote Hunter Bigge and Cole Sulser from Triple-A Durham to help make up for the loss to their bullpen.
