Evan Reifert - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Returned to Tampa Bay The Nationals returned Rule 5 pick Reifert to the Rays on Tuesday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Reifert flashed his swing-and-miss slider this spring in striking out nine over 6.1 innings. However, he also issued 12 walks and yielded 12 runs (11 earned) to earn a trip back to his previous organization. Reifert should begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Durham.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Dominant in spring outing Reifert struck out the side in the third inning of Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Impact The 25-year-old righty needed 16 pitches (nine strikes) to carve up Miami's 9-1-2 hitters, including Xavier Edwards. Reifert is in camp as a Rule 5 pick from the Rays' organization, giving him a leg up on winning one of the final spots in the Nationals' bullpen if he shows he's ready to get big-league hitters out. Over 40.1 innings for Double-A Montgomery in 2024, Reifert posted a 2.01 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 64:16 K:BB.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Taken in Rule 5 draft The Nationals selected Reifert with the fifth pick in the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.

Impact Reifert has been a known reliever prospect for a couple years, thanks largely to some very high strikeout rates in the lower levels. He missed most of 2023 with a shoulder injury but had a strong showing down the stretch last season at Double-A, logging a 1.96 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 65 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. Reifert will likely begin the year in a low-leverage role, but there's a chance for upward mobility in a shallow Nationals bullpen.

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from IL Double-A Montgomery reinstated Reifert (undisclosed) from its 7-day injured list Sunday. He struck out and allowed one hit over a scoreless inning in Montgomery's 7-0 win over Bilo...

Impact Reifert was on the shelf for about a month with the unspecified injury. The right-hander has yet to allow a run over four appearances on the season and has struck out six batters while giving up two hits and zero walks over four innings.

MAY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to action Reifert (shoulder) allowed seven runs on one hit and 15 walks while striking out five across 7.2 frames in 2023 across stops at High-A Bowling Green and the Florida Complex League.

Impact Reifert was shut down from throwing in April due to right shoulder inflammation, but he was cleared to return just before the close of the minor-league campaign. He struggled mightily with his command in nine total appearances, something that hasn't previously been a big issue for the young reliever in the early stages of his career.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Reifert (shoulder) has yet to pitch in 2023 due to inflammation in his right shoulder.

Impact Reifert was placed on the 7-day injured list at the beginning of the Double-A season. Initial reports suggested that he would only require a short stint on the shelf, but he has yet to appear in official game action. It's unclear when he may be able to return to the mound.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE