TANNER RAINEY NEWS

Receives NRI from Pittsburgh The Pirates signed Rainey to a minor-league contract Dec. 6 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Impact Rainey was non-tendered by the Nationals in November after posting a 4.76 ERA and 44:29 K:BB over 51 innings in 2024 in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. The reliever's stuff hasn't looked the same post-op, but he's a fine gamble on a non-roster deal in hopes that he can rediscover it.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Austin Hays, Kyle Finnegan, Brendan Rodgers and Jordan Romano among 62 new free agents

Outfielder Austin Hays, right-hander Kyle Finnegan and second baseman Brendan Rodgers were among 62 players who became free agents when their teams failed to offer 2025 contracts

NOVEMBER 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Non-tendered by Nats Rainey was non-tendered by the Nationals on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Rainey completed his first full campaign since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024. He understandably showed rust early on, but he managed a 2.88 ERA with a 22:11 K:BB across 25 innings in post All-Star break action. That makes Friday's move mildly surprising, though he should have the chance to latch onto another big-league roster.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Turning things around Rainey has posted a 6.58 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 22:18 K:BB through 26 innings with zero wins, saves or holds in 25 appearances.

Impact A brutal start to the season is still tainting his ratios, but Rainey has actually been an effective relief arm for the last couple months. Over his last 12 appearances dating back to May 21, the 31-year-old right-hander has been scored upon only once, and he's compiled a 2.77 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through 13 innings over that stretch. Despite that improvement, Rainey is still a shell of the pitcher he was prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022. His 93.7 mph fastball average is a far cry from the 97.0 mph he was dialing up in 2022 before his elbow gave out, and his days as a viable high-leverage bullpen option appear to be over.

JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Higashioka hits 2 homers, including 1st career grand slam, as the Padres beat the Nats 8-5

Kyle Higashioka homered twice, including his first career grand slam, and Dylan Cease pitched seven brilliant innings for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Washington Nationals 8-...

JUNE 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jesse Winker's grand slam sparks Nationals to 11-4 win over Marlins

Jesse Winker hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, one of three Washington home runs, and the Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 11-4

APRIL 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Robles to get $2.65 million salary from Nats and Rainey to earn $1.5 million

Outfielder Victor Robles will get $2.65 million under his one-year contract with the Washington Nationals and right-handed reliever Tanner Rainey will earn $1.5 million

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rainey's return from TJ surgery worth the wait ATLANTA -- 447 days since appearing in a Major League game, Tanner Rainey came full circle in his return from Tommy John surgery on Saturday...

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • MLB.COM

Activated from IL The Nationals reinstated Rainey (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Impact Rainey has been on the shelf all year while recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2022. He began a rehab assignment in early August and pitched to a 3.75 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 12 innings while striking out 13 batters and walking six. Rainey may make an appearance out of the Nats' bullpen before the end of the year, but he doesn't figure to serve in a prominent role as he re-adjusts to major-league batters.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not ruled out for 2023 cameo Rainey (elbow) could join the Nationals' bullpen before the end of the regular season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact The right-hander is in the final stages of his recovery from last year's Tommy John surgery, and he's expected to throw a couple bullpen sessions this week during Washington's final homestand of the season before a decision is made on whether to activate him from the 60-day IL. "I know [pitching coach Jim] Hickey wants to see him throw up here and then see where he's at, and then we'll go from there," manager Dave Martinez said Friday. "I don't want to shut him down, I want him to continue pitching. There could be a chance that he comes up here, pitches one or two games. We'll see when that day comes." Rainey recorded 12 saves in 2022 before landing on the injured list in July, and he figures to be part of the Nats' high-leverage mix in 2024.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on rehab assignment Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Rainey (elbow) will "get a few more outings" on his minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 60-day injured li...

Impact Rainey has a bit of achiness in his right arm, but Martinez labeled it as "the norm" for a pitcher who went a full calendar year between live appearances. Now more than 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, the 30-year-old reliever has posted a 5.14 ERA and 8:6 K:BB in seven rehab innings between the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Single-A Fredericksburg, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab moved up to Triple-A Rainey (elbow) has been transferred to Triple-A Rochester to continue his rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Rainey has allowed two runs with a 5:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings in his first five rehab appearances, which includes three scoreless outings in his last stop with Double-A Harrisburg. He has not yet pitched on back-to-back days, something he'll need to show he can do before making his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Close to return Rainey (elbow) threw 19 pitches in a rehab appearance for Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday as he closes in on his return from Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports report...

Impact The right-hander will pitch in another rehab game later this week, but Nationals manager Dave Martinez indicated Rainey will need to show he can work back-to-back games before he'll be activated from the 60-day IL, which could push his return to early September. He did record 12 saves in 2022 before undergoing surgery that August, but Rainey will likely slot into a lower-leverage role behind Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey once he's activated.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for rehab assignment Rainey (elbow) is heading out on a rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg this upcoming week, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact He threw a bullpen session Sunday after facing live hitters Friday. Rainey is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, so his rehab assignment could be lengthier than that of the typical injured relief pitcher. Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey (elbow) should be handling the save opportunities over the rest of the season, so Rainey will likely be activated into a setup role, assuming he makes it back this year.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will throw to live hitters Rainey (elbow) is set to throw to live hitters Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Rainey is in the final stages of returning from Tommy John surgery. He made a rehab appearance in the Florida Complex League on Monday where he pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. Now set to throw to live hitters at Nationals Park, the 30-year-old will throw between 35 to 40 pitches. After that, the reliever will probably get more rehab assignments.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting rehab assignment Rainey (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Nationals' Florida Complex League affiliate on Monday.

Impact Rainey is finally game-ready following a long road back from Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing reliever will eventually work his way up to higher affiliates and figures to need a good number of appearances before rejoining the Nationals' bullpen.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to simulated work Rainey (elbow) is scheduled to make a simulated appearance Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Rainey is almost 12 full months removed from Tommy John surgery and could get into a handful of games for the Nationals before their 2023 season comes to an end. He's under club control through 2025 but might be a trade candidate this winter if he's able to prove his health.

JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throws 45-pitch side session Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Rainey (elbow) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Friday without issue, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Martinez suggested that Rainey might get into minor-league games around early-to-mid July, which would be a little less than 12 months removed from his Tommy John surgery in early August 2022. He's made swift progress and could perhaps factor into the saves mix in Washington by the end of the year, assuming a number of bullpen pieces are unloaded ahead of the trade deadline.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing off mound Rainey (elbow) threw 10 pitches off a mound Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Rainey continues to make steady progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last August. The current hope is that he might be able to return to the Nationals' bullpen toward the end of the 2023 regular season.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Officially on 60-day IL The Nationals placed Rainey on the 60-day injured list Thursday with a right elbow UCL tear.

Impact Rainey hopes to return late this year from Tommy John surgery, but it's not a guarantee. The Nats clear a 40-man roster spot with this transaction.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will continue rehab in Florida Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday that Rainey (elbow) will continue his rehab at the team's spring training complex, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Rainey is with the Nats in D.C. ahead of Opening Day on Thursday, but he'll head back to Florida on Friday. The 30-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last August and should not be counted on for any sort of fantasy production in 2023, even if he achieves his goal of making it back before September.

MARCH 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

One toss at a time, Tanner Rainey works his way back from Tommy John The Nationals reliever is targeting Aug. 3 for his return. That's the anniversary of his surgery.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Progressing in throwing program Rainey (elbow) is currently throwing from 60 feet away as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact Rainey is currently in the third week of his throwing program. The right-hander's goal is to return to the diamond by Aug. 3, which is the 12-month mark from when he underwent the surgery. When Rainey returns to the Nationals, it's possible he could see save opportunities, but he can safely be ignored in redraft fantasy formats at this point.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tanner Rainey, Erasmo Ramírez agree to deals with Nationals

Right-handers Tanner Rainey and Erasmo Ramírez have agreed to one-year contracts with the Washington Nationals

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Erasmo Ramirez re-signs with Nationals; Tanner Rainey avoids arbitration Washington brought back two key members of last season's bullpen.

DECEMBER 20, 2022 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM