OCTOBER 6, 2022 • MLB.COM
'Bullpen Dad' Cishek contemplates future NEW YORK – Steve Cishek released a fastball to James McCann in the bottom of the fifth inning on Tuesday, a caught foul tip ending a 1-2-3 r...
Gorman homers, drives in 2, as Cardinals beat Nationals 4-1
Nolan Gorman broke out of a slump with a homer and a pair of RBIs, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 4-1SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 • Associated Press
Gomes' RBI single in 7th lifts Cubs over Nationals 3-2
Yan Gomes hit a tie-breaking single in the seventh inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 to win the three-game seriesAUGUST 17, 2022 • Associated Press
Hoerner, Cubs top power-hitting rookie Meneses, Nationals
Nico Hoerner homered to ignite a four-run rally in the seventh inning that sent the Chicago Cubs over power-hitting rookie Joey Meneses and the Washington Nationals 4-2AUGUST 10, 2022 • Associated Press
Thompson, Velázquez, Morel power Cubs past Nationals 6-3
Keegan Thompson pitched six effective innings, rookies Nelson Velázquez and Christopher Morel homered in the third inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 6-3AUGUST 9, 2022 • Associated Press
For whom the Bell tolls: Nats' Josh Bell is top trade target
Juan Soto could be the biggest star dealt before the Major League Baseball trade deadline if the Washington Nationals choose to make that moveJULY 28, 2022 • Associated Press
Old but gold: At 39, Verlander makes push for Cy Young award
Justin Verlander has a little more gray in his hair and stubble these daysJULY 25, 2022 • Associated Press
Credited with first win Cishek (1-2) picked up the win Sunday against Atlanta, working 1.2 scoreless innings of relief without allowing a hit or a walk and striking out two.
Impact A hit by pitch was the only blemish on his line. In what was a bullpen day for the Nationals, Cishek entered the game with one out in the fourth inning to protect a 4-3 lead and wound up being deemed the team's most effective pitcher by the official scorer to get credit for the win. The 36-year-old has a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and solid 25.7 percent strikeout rate -- his best mark since 2018 -- on the season, and if new closer Kyle Finnegan falters, Cishek could see some save chances after the All-Star break.
JULY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Winker homers, Mariners sweep Nats for 10th straight win
Jesse Winker hit his second solo homer of the day and the Seattle Mariners won their 10th straight game, edging the Washington Nationals 2-1 to sweep a doubleheaderJULY 13, 2022 • Associated Press
Collects fifth hold Cishek gave up one hit and struck out two in a scoreless sixth inning Sunday to record his fifth hold of the season in a loss to Atlanta.
Impact The veteran right-hander had gone more than a month without picking up a hold, posting a 6.17 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 11.2 innings in 10 appearances between his last two. Cishek remains one of the Nationals' high-leverage relievers mostly by default, and the team isn't likely to win enough games in the second half to give the 36-year-old much fantasy value even in formats that count holds.
JULY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Hays hits for cycle to help Orioles beat Nationals 7-0
Austin Hays became the sixth player in Orioles history to hit for the cycle, completing the feat in the midst of a steady shower and shortly before play was halted for good in Balt...JUNE 23, 2022 • Associated Press
'Dad shoes' into cleats? That's a Father's Day fashion flex WASHINGTON -- Steve Cishek dressed for the occasion on Sunday when he donned a pair of “dad shoes” for pregame warmups ahead of the Nats'...
JUNE 19, 2022 • MLB.COM
Picks up fourth hold Cishek walked one and struck out three over 1.1 scoreless innings Friday to record his fourth hold of the season in a win over the Brewers.
Impact The hold was the first in over a month for the sidearmer, but that's due to a lack of opportunity rather than poor performance. Cishek has a 2.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 16.2 innings since the beginning of May, solidifying a spot among the Nationals' high-leverage arms.
JUNE 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Grabs third hold Cishek gave up a hit and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday to record his third hold of the season in a win over the Giants.
Impact The sidearmer has held the opposition off the board in nine of his 11 appearances this season but been tagged for six runs in the other two, leading to a 6.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. Cishek's reliance on deception rather than dominant stuff makes him volatile, but Washington doesn't have many healthy, reliable high-leverage options in the bullpen right now, which will keep the veteran in a setup role -- he's currently tied with Kyle Finnegan for the team lead in holds.
MAY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Takes loss Sunday Cishek (0-1) was charged with a blown save and the loss Sunday against the Pirates, coughing up three runs on three hits and a walk while recording only one out.
Impact Entering the game in the seventh inning with the Nationals on top 3-2, Cishek quickly made a mess of things with a bases-loaded wild pitch bringing home the tying run. The veteran reliever was expected to handle a high-leverage role for Washington this season and potentially even factor into the saves mix, but he's had a brutal start to the season with a 6.75 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 3:3 K:BB through four innings and five appearances.
APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
San Diego starters produce 2 hitless outings to start season
It took three games for one of San Diego’s starting pitchers to allow a hitAPRIL 11, 2022 • Associated Press
Max Scherzer beats Nationals in Mets debut despite distractions
In a game marred by a benches-clearing incident, Max Scherzer returned to Washington and won his Mets debut, Jordan Shusterman writes.APRIL 9, 2022 • FOX SPORTS
Ejected in team debut Cishek was ejected from Friday's game against the Mets in the top of the fifth inning after he hit Francisco Lindor in the head with a pitch, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Impact Cishek entered Friday's matchup in the top of the fifth inning with no outs and a runner on second, and he hit Lindor with the second pitch he threw. That led to a scuffle on the field between the two teams, and the right-hander was tossed from the game since the Nationals also hit several batters during Thursday's Opening Day matchup. It's not yet clear whether the incident will lead to discipline from the league.
APRIL 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
AP source: Reliever Cishek, Nationals agree to 1-year deal
A person familiar with the deal says right-handed reliever Steve Cishek and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a one-year contract for 2022MARCH 12, 2022 • Associated Press
Signs with Nationals Cishek signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Nationals on Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Impact After struggling with the White Sox during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Cishek bounced back with the Angels last year by logging 21 holds with a 3.42 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 68.1 innings across 74 relief appearances. Kyle Finnegan led Washington with 11 saves across the second half of the 2021 season after the team traded away Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson, but Cishek will likely be in the mix for high-leverage opportunities heading into the 2022 campaign.
MARCH 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Notches hold No. 20 Cishek picked up a hold against the White Sox on Wednesday, striking out three and allowing two hits in one scoreless inning.
Impact Cishek opened the frame with a punchout before allowing back-to-back singles. He then got out of the jam by striking out Jose Abreu and Yasmani Grandal to close the inning. The right-hander has been one of the Angels' most reliable bullpen arms this season, notching 20 holds while posting a 3.03 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 67 appearances. Cishek has allowed only one earned run over his last 11.1 innings.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Marsh homers off Kopech in 8th, Angels top White Sox 3-2
Brandon Marsh hit a tiebreaking solo homer off Michael Kopech in the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • Associated Press
Secures 17th hold Cishek earned a hold against Texas on Friday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he walked one batter and struck out two.
Impact The right-hander threw only nine of 18 pitches for strikes but got around an inning-opening walk by striking out the final two batters he faced. Cishek has emerged as the Angels' primary setup man thanks to a minuscule 0.3 HR/9 and a 3.20 ERA -- the best mark aside from closer Raisel Iglesias among the team's qualifying relievers -- on the season. However, Cishek's 57:36 K:BB across 59 innings explains his much less promising 5.09 xFIP.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Ohtani strikes out 8 on 117 pitches, Angels beat Rangers 3-2
Shohei Ohtani allowed two runs, struck out eight and threw a stateside career-high 117 pitches in seven innings, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 3-2SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • Associated Press
Off bereavement list Cishek was reinstated from the bereavement list Thursday.
Impact Cishek was away from the team since Friday. He's struggled a bit of late, allowing six earned runs across his last 5.2 frames. However, Cishek serves as one of the team's primary setup men and should continue to rack up holds in the final two months of the season.
AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
