Clippard announced his retirement from baseball Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard, 38, didn't pitch anywhere in 2023, last appearing in the majors for four games with the Nationals in 2022. He finishes a 16-year-old big-league career with a 3.16 ERA, having pitched for 10 different teams. Clippard made the All-Star team in 2011 and 2014 during his first stint with the Nats.

Clippard cleared waivers and was released by the Nationals on Thursday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard was designated for assignment by the Nationals earlier this week and will now hit free agency after passing through waivers unclaimed. He's appeared in only four big-league games this year, though he has a 2.23 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 53:18 K:BB over 40.1 innings at Triple-A.

Clippard was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Tuesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard was activated from the 15-day injured list Aug. 12 and surrendered four runs with a 3:4 K:BB and four hit batsmen over three innings before Washington opted to move on. The veteran right-hander posted a 2.23 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 53:18 K:BB in 36 appearances for Triple-A Rochester before being promoted, and it remains to be seen if he elects to return there or hit free agency, assuming he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Clippard (groin) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard was sidelined for nearly a month due to his groin injury, but he spent the last week at Triple-A Rochester on a rehab assignment. Over three appearances with the minor-league club, he struck out four in four scoreless innings. Mason Thompson and Andres Machado were sent down to help make room for Clippard on the active roster.

Clippard (groin) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard was called up for the first time this season July 13 and hit the injured list the next day after making just one appearance. He may not need a particularly long rehab assignment, but there's no guarantee he fills a significant role in the big-league bullpen once healthy.

Clippard was placed on the 15-day injured list with a groin strain, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard picked up the injury while warming up last Saturday, and he will be unavailable for the start of the second half. Given that Clippard has not appeared in a game since July 14, he will be eligible to be activated before the month comes to a close. However, it remains to be seen when he will be ready to return.

Clippard experienced cramping in his left calf while warming up during Saturday's 6-3 loss to Atlanta, but he'll be available for Sunday's series finale, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals could have placed Clippard on the injured list if there was truly any concern about his calf, but the team's decision to option Hunter Harvey to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday to clear a spot on the roster for fellow reliever Cory Abbott implies the team is confident in Clippard's health. The 37-year-old turned in two scoreless frames in his initial appearance for Washington following his call-up from Triple-A on Wednesday and could be needed to cover multiple innings again Sunday with the Nationals treating the series finale with Atlanta as a bullpen day.

Clippard's contract was selected by the Nationals on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard failed to make the Nationals' Opening Day roster this year but will join the major-league bullpen prior to the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mariners. The right-hander was productive at Triple-A Rochester to begin the year, posting a 2.48 ERA, 49:17 K:BB and 1.22 WHIP in 36.1 innings over 33 appearances. Tanner Rainey (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list to make room for Clippard on the 40-man roster.

Clippard was assigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard only signed with the team one week prior, so the Nationals may not have felt that he'd be ready for game action at the start of the regular season. His six saves and 3.20 ERA for the Diamondbacks last season should earn him more major-league opportunities at some point this season, though his strikeout rate dropped from 26.5 percent to 18.9 percent, so he's probably better suited for lower-leverage opportunities.

Clippard signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Saturday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard made 26 appearances for the Diamondbacks last year and posted a 3.20 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 25.1 innings before his mutual option was declined by the team in early November. The right-hander has already thrown eight live bullpens this spring and hopes to appear in some Grapefruit League games prior to the end of camp.