Washington Nationals option reliever Clayton Beeter to Triple-A Rochester

The Washington Nationals demoted reliever Clayton Beeter to Triple-A Rochester on September 12, 2026. Beeter, who served as the team's primary closer for much of the season, struggled with command and consistency during recent outings. He finishes this stint with a 4.50 ERA and a 5.43 FIP across 50 appearances. While he previously recorded a 3.62 ERA in the first half of the season, his walk rate and performance in high-leverage situations declined late in the year. The club indicates that Beeter must refine his command or adjust his pitch mix to earn a role on the 2027 roster. The bullpen remains in flux as the Nationals determine their strategy for the remainder of the schedule.

• 3:40 PMYahoo Sports — Washington Nationals demote former closer Clayton Beeter to Triple-A