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Player Outlook
Kyle Finnegan was 14th in the majors with a career-high 28 saves for the Nationals, which represented a 66.7% team save share. The 32-year-old pitched a career-high 69.1 innings, but he may have run out of gas down the stretch as he posted a 7.63 ERA and 1.89 WHIP over the last month-and-a-half. His performance otherwise (2.55 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) was solid and he was Washington's highest leveraged reliever per WPA (1.88) and gmLI (1.90). Finnegan still relied heavily on his upper-90's fastball (70% usage), but he threw more split fingers (24.8%) since it was his most successful pitch (.167 BAA, 35.3% whiff) last year. However, the right-hander produced a career-worst strikeout rate (21.7%) and permitted 11 home runs (17.7% HR/FB%). With the Nationals playing more competitive ball, they may turn to a reliever with more upside for ninth inning duties. They have a few internal options (Harvey, Rainey), so don't be surprised if Finnegan gets fewer save opportunities in 2024.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 339.55.1 69.3 7 5 28 63 24 3.76 1.30
2022 2323.5 66.7 6 4 11 70 22 3.51 1.14
3y Avg. 250.53.7 67.3 6 6 17 67 27 3.61 1.31
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
43%
Roster
31%
Start
#30
RP Rank

Fantasy News

  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Returns to action

    Finnegan (back) allowed one earned run on three hits with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He was struck on his right foot by a comebacker in the top of the seventh inning but quickly waved off the training staff and insisted he was fine, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. The right-hander was fortunate that the comebacker struck the padded portion of the heel of his right shoe, absorbing the impact. Finnegan had been sidelined for over a week due to lower-back tightness, but he said after Thursday's appearance that he felt "great" physically. While he has Hunter Harvey breathing down his neck for save chances, Finnegan appears in line to open the season as the primary closer in Washington. He's expected to make one more appearance this spring to prepare for Opening Day.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Managing back issue

    Finnegan has been unavailable lately due to back tightness but will throw a bullpen session Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Assuming he comes out of Monday's session with no issues, Finnegan will pitch in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. The right-hander is at the top of the Nationals' bullpen hierarchy but could face some competition for saves from Hunter Harvey.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Adds new wrinkle to arsenal

    Finnegan threw three sweepers at 84-85 mph among his 15 pitches during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports. The 32-year-old right-hander has gotten solid results in his big-league career with a fastball that averaged 97.3 mph in 2023 along with a a splitter and occasional slider that both sit about 90 mph, but Finnegan worked this offseason to add something slower to his arsenal to give batters a different look. The early results Wednesday with the sweeper were encouraging, as one of them generated an awkward swing on strike three from Ceddanne Rafaela. Finnegan threw his fastball 70 percent of the time last year and that likely isn't going to change, but the sweeper could help boost a strikeout rate that sunk to a career-low 21.9 percent. After recording a career-high 28 saves in 2023, Finnegan will be in the closing mix this season for the Nationals along with Hunter Harvey and potentially Tanner Rainey.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Avoids arbitration

    Finnegan agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Finnegan served as the Nationals' primary closer in 2023, recording 28 saves. He had an uneven performance overall, however, posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.30 WHIP to go along with a 63:24 K:BB across 69.1 innings. He'll likely begin the 2024 campaign in the ninth-inning role, but Hunter Harvey could overtake him fairly quickly.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Records save to end 2023

    Finnegan picked up his 28th save of the year in a 10-9 win over Atlanta on Sunday. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out one over an inning. Finnegan was spotted a two-run lead after the Nationals were able to climb ahead in the top of the ninth. He allowed a solo home run to Marcell Ozuna, and Michael Harris followed up with a double, though Finnegan was able to retire the next two batters to put a cap on the season with a win. The 31-year-old finishes 2023 with a 3.76 ERA and 63:24 K:BB in 69.1 innings and should be the frontrunner to close again for the Nationals next year as long as he isn't traded.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Earns save in Game 1

    Finnegan allowed a run on one hit over one inning and earned the save in a 3-2 win over Atlanta in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader. Finnegan added a little drama by allowing a solo home run to Sean Murphy, but he was able to preserve the Nationals' lead. This was Finnegan's second save in a row, and he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 8.2 innings in a shaky September. He's at a 3.74 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB through 67.1 innings while adding 27 saves, eight holds and eight blown saves this season.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Hangs on for 26th save

    Finnegan picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over an inning. The White Sox made things interesting in the ninth, cutting the Nats' lead to 4-3, but Finnegan ultimately got Elvis Andrus to fly out, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It's been a rocky stretch for Finnegan, who's now allowed eight runs over his last six appearances (5.2 innings). Still, the right-hander appears to have a solid grasp on the closing job in Washington as he improved to 26-for-34 in save chances this season. Through 66.1 innings on the campaign, Finnegan sports a 3.66 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Nails down 24th save

    Finnegan gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 24th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Marlins. The right-hander needed only nine pitches (eight strikes) to dispatch Miami, getting Jesus Sanchez to ground into a double play to erase his lone baserunner. Hunter Harvey got the save Friday after Finnegan had worked Thursday, but it's the latter that still looks like the primary closing option for the Nationals. Since his last blown save July 14, Finnegan has a sparkling 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 18.1 innings.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Escapes with 23rd save

    Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings. Finnegan entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and made things interesting by allowing singles to Oswald Peraza and Gleyber Torres. Peraza would then come around to score on a Giancarlo Stanton two-out single, but Finnegan was able to retire the next batter and escape with his 23rd save of the season. The right-hander has converted his last 12 save opportunities, though he's also allowed a run in three of his last four appearances.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Collects 18th save

    Finnegan recorded his 18th save of the season in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning. The right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 11 appearances and 10.2 innings, a stretch in which he's converted seven straight save chances while posting a 12:1 K:BB. Finnegan appears to have a firm hold on the closer job for the Nationals, and even if Hunter Harvey (elbow) is able to return before the end of the season, he might have to settle for setup work.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Earns 16th save

    Finnegan picked up the save Friday against the Reds. He struck out two in a perfect 10th inning. After the Nationals took the lead against Alexis Diaz in the top of the 10th, Finnegan closed the door, firing 13 of his 15 pitches for strikes. The right-hander lost the closer job earlier this season, but Hunter Harvey is now on the injured list with an elbow injury and the Nationals have made it clear that they will be cautious with the oft-injured hurler. Finnegan, for his part, has looked a lot more worthy of save chances of late, allowing just two hits over eight straight scoreless appearances.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Slams door for 15th save

    Finnegan struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday. Finnegan tossed 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and had no issue finishing off the 5-3 win Monday. He's allowed just two hits during his 5.2-inning scoreless streak. While he's converted just 15 of his 22 save chances this season, Finnegan's season ERA sits at a solid 3.00 with a 43:14 K:BB through 45 innings.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Nails down 14th save

    Finnegan gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 14th save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Rockies. The right-hander has gone 3-for-3 in converting save chances since Hunter Harvey (elbow) landed on the injured list. Finnegan's 3.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB through 42.2 innings on the season aren't elite, but he could still be of interest to a contender looking for setup help as the trade deadline approaches.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Notches save Friday

    Finnegan worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save Friday versus the Giants. Finnegan needed only nine pitches to retire Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski and Patrick Bailey in order and ice a 5-3 victory for the Nationals. It was the 13th save of the year for the right-hander, who lowered his season ERA to 3.24 in the process. Finnegan is under team control through 2025, but he could be a hot name on the trade market as the Aug. 1 deadline approaches.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Secures seventh save

    Finnegan picked up the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Cubs, tossing a scoreless ninth in which he gave up two hits. He didn't strike out or walk any batters. Finnegan allowed back-to-back singles to lead off the ninth, but he was able to secure his seventh save after inducing a double play. It was the second night in a row the right-hander was called upon to shut down the Cubs, and he's now converted six consecutive chances after giving up five runs versus Tampa Bay on April 4. Overall the numbers still don't look pretty (6.00 ERA and 1.58 WHIP), but Finnegan has allowed just one run over his past 10 outings (9.2 innings) and holds a 10:2 K:BB during that stretch.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Collects sixth save

    Finnegan gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Cubs. The right-hander got rocked early this season, but he's settled down since. Finnegan has converted five straight save chances and been scored upon only once in his last nine appearances, posting a 1.04 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings over that stretch. His numbers on the year still look shaky, but with the Nats' offense not capable of running up the score on many opponents and likely to produce narrow wins when the team does manage to come out on top, Finnegan's fantasy value could be underrated right now.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Locks up third straight save

    Finnegan picked up the save Friday against the Twins. He didn't allow a run on one hit and one walk in one inning. Finnegan allowed the first two batters of the inning to reach, but a soft lineout and a double play gave the right-hander his fourth save of the season. Finnegan allowed seven runs in his first three outings of the season but has rebounded by not allowing a run over his last five innings, lowering his ERA to 8.59.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Earns save Sunday

    Finnegan picked up the save Sunday against the Guardians, allowing one hit while recording a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning. Finnegan recorded his third save of the season Sunday, allowing just a two-out infield single to Myles Straw before punching out Steven Kwan to end the game. Finnegan has now thrown four consecutive scoreless innings, logging four strikeouts, two hits and one walk in that span. He seems to have a solid grasp on the closer job in Washington, though save opportunities may be hard to come by. The 31-year-old Finnegan lowered his ERA to 9.95 with a 1.89 WHIP through 6.1 innings.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Secures second save

    Finnegan picked up the save in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Angels, striking out one across a perfect ninth inning. Finnegan came on in the ninth with a two-run lead and retired Jake Lamb and Taylor Ward before striking out Mike Trout to end the game. After allowing five runs in a blown save last week versus Tampa Bay, Finnegan has posted three straight scoreless outings and has a strikeout in each of those appearances.
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  • Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Blows save in spectacular fashion

    Finnegan (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Tuesday, recording only one out and surrendering five runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk as the Nationals fell 10-6 to the Rays. Called upon to protect a 6-5 lead in the top of the ninth inning, Finnegan instead got taken deep by Luke Raley, Josh Lowe and Yandy Diaz to get tagged with his first blown save of the season. Manager Dave Martinez had already suggested this spring Finnegan might not get every save chance for the Nats, but it'll probably take a couple more disasters before he's out of the closer mix for good. Hunter Harvey and Carl Edwards figure to be the most likely alternatives in the ninth.
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