OUTDerek Law RP WSH Mon 4/7/25 4:53 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday that Law (forearm) has yet to begin a throwing program, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Law dealt with an arm issue late last season and made just one appearance during spring training before landing on the injured list with right forearm inflammation. He remains in the strengthening phase of his rehab, and while Martinez admitted Monday to being "a little worried" Law still isn't throwing, he added that the reliever "is getting better, is getting stronger."
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Wed 3/26/25 6:06 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
The Nationals placed Law on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right forearm inflammation.
EDGE Analysis
Complications from a late-season elbow injury in 2024 followed Law into spring training, though the Nationals are officially labeling his injury as a forearm issue. Either way, he'll now officially be sidelined through the first 15 days of the new season but isn't likely to need much more time than that to prepare for his debut.
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Sat 3/22/25 1:45 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
Law (elbow) said Saturday that he doesn't believe he'll be ready for the start of the season, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Law has been brought along slowly this spring, as lingering issues from an elbow injury he suffered late last season have followed him into camp. The Nats still haven't decided whether to put him on the injured list, though that seems like the most likely outcome at this point. Once healthy, the 34-year-old righty will likely be used often out of the bullpen, as he's expressed interest in breaking the franchise record for most innings pitched by a reliever (93).
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Mon 3/10/25 4:24 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
Law has made it his goal to break the Nationals' franchise record for innings pitched in a season by a reliever, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 34-year-old right-hander handled 90 innings last season, the most by a Washington reliever in the regular season since Tyler Clippard in 2010 and just three frames shy of Saul Rivera's record, set in 2007. As a result of that elevated workload, Law has been brought along slowly in camp and pitched to batters for the first time Monday on a back field, tossing 30 pitches. There's still time for him to get in Grapefruit League action before Opening Day as he prepares for work as a setup man ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan -- in addition to his 90 innings in 2024 being a career high, Law's 17 holds were also a personal best.
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Sun 2/23/25 1:56 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
Law figures to be part of the Nationals' high-leverage crew this season, but it's not clear if he'll get a chance to audition for the open closer role.
EDGE Analysis
Speaking to reporters earlier in camp, general manager Mike Rizzo indicated that Law would be a key bullpen piece for Washington, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "We don't have a proven commodity at that position, but if the season started today, we would have a guy that we would say would be our ninth-inning guy," Rizzo said. "I don't know who it is yet. It could be Jose Ferrer. It could be Jorge Lopez. Law could have some leverage innings. And it could come from somebody that we haven't thought about yet." The latter category might also include Lucas Sims, who signed with the team earlier this week. Law has mainly been a middle reliever during a big-league career that stretches back to 2016, but he is coming off one of his best statistical seasons, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:24 K:BB over 90 innings with career highs in appearances (75), wins (seven) and holds (17).
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Thu 1/9/25 2:55 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
The Nationals and Law avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Law was one of Washington's most reliable relievers in 2024, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:24 K:BB over 90 innings. He could be in the mix for saves in 2025 as things stand right now, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Nationals bring in a closer from outside the organization.
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Mon 9/2/24 9:57 AM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
The Nationals activated Law (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Law has been shelved since mid-August with ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching elbow but recently faced hitters with no issues, clearing the way for his return. The veteran reliever will return to a middle-relief role for the Nationals.
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Fri 8/30/24 4:18 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
Law (elbow) will throw to live hitters Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The right-hander has been sidelined since Aug. 17 with ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow. It's unclear if Law will need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the IL.
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Tue 8/20/24 4:41 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
The MRI on Law's right elbow revealed only ulnar nerve irritation, but he hasn't been cleared to throw yet, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Law was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a strained right elbow, and Tuesday's MRI confirmed he isn't dealing with any structural damage. The 33-year-old took part in fielding drills Tuesday but hasn't been cleared to throw. A timeline for his return hasn't been announced.
OUTDerek Law RP WSH Sat 8/17/24 4:17 PM
OUTDerek Law
RP WSH
The Nationals placed Law on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a right elbow flexor strain, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Law has not allowed a run over his last six outings, and across 61 appearances this season he has a 2.85 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 75.2 innings. It's unclear how severe the injury is, but he will get an MRI on Monday to determine how long his stint on the IL will be, per Nusbaum. With Robert Garcia going on the bereavement list, the Nationals promoted Joe La Sorsa and Joan Adon in corresponding moves.