Blanton will make his spring debut for the Nationals on Friday, according to manager Dusty Baker, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander, who's enjoyed a career revival as a reliever the last two seasons, was brought in to chew up important appearances in the late innings. He may be considered for save opportunities eventually, but the likelier scenario places him as the eighth-inning setup man, with Shawn Kelley earning the first shot at saves. Blanton remains a useful, cheap gamble for saves and a steady option for holds in leagues that count them.

Blanton, who signed with the Nationals on Feb. 28, will hold a prominent spot in the bullpen, though general manager Mike Rizzo said his role could vary, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports. "He's been a quality setup man for the last couple years. He's pitched multiple innings. So he could fit as a long man, as a setup man," Rizzo said. "He's just a quality major league reliever that has flexibility."

EDGE Analysis

Zuckerman added that the right-hander could step in to close if a change if needed because of injury or poor performance, though it appears Washington favors to have him as a setup man to start the year, while Shawn Kelley, Blake Treinen and Joe Nathan -- perhaps also Koda Glover -- compete for save chances. The 36-year-old has enjoyed a revival as a reliever in the last two seasons (combined 2.65 ERA, with 9.2 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9), and he even held left-handed bats to a .237 wOBA last year. That may prompt the Nats to have him face tough lefty mashers late in games, though it may also have him as an option for save opportunities with similar circumstances. Blanton isn't a bad speculation in NL-only games and deep mixed setups that value relievers with K and ratio help, yet saves don't look like they'll reside in his immediate future.

Blanton signed a one-year deal with the Nationals on Tuesday, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old spent last season with the Dodgers, posting a 2.48 ERA across 75 relief opportunities. The Nats likely view Blanton as a source of late-inning help, and it's possible he could be a factor in the team's search for a permanent closer.

Blanton has posted a 1.17 ERA in 23 innings since the end of July and continues to function as the team's top setup man.

EDGE Analysis

Blanton has been good all year, but great lately. With a 2.34 ERA and 27 holds in 77 innings, his one-year, $4 million deal has been a bargain for the Dodgers.

Blanton (personal) was reinstated from the bereavement list Friday, David Vassegh of 570 AM Los Angeles reports.

EDGE Analysis

Luis Avilan was optioned to make room on the roster. The 35-year-old Blanton has been a valuable source of holds over the past two and a half months, as he's racked up 17 holds since the calendar turned to June, and he's even had value in deep standard-scoring formats as a ratios play.

Blanton has been placed on the bereavement list, Jack Baer of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blanton will be replaced on the roster by Josh Ravin. Players on the bereavement list must miss at least three games and no more than seven games, so Blanton will return to the Dodgers sometime between August 12 against Pittsburgh and August 17 against Philadelphia.

Blanton tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in Wednesday's loss to the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Blanton now appears to be Kenley Jansen's top setup man. He's carrying a 2.22 ERA and 0.78 WHIP with a 46:13 K:BB in 44.2 innings.

Blanton has a 2.81 ERA and 0.78 WHIP after pitching 25.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old righty has become the most used pitcher in the Dodgers' bullpen, and rightfully so, as he's posting some of the best numbers of his career. His K/9 rate is currently 9.12, blowing his career average of 6.42 out of the water, and at 91.1 miles per hour, his fastball is the fastest it's ever been. While his 4.11 ERA for the month of May makes it look like his performance is trending downwards, this is almost entirely coming from two rough outings where he gave up six runs in two innings. Apart from those two games, Blanton has given up only two runs across 23.2 innings in 2016.

Blanton earned his first win of the year against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing a walk and no runs in one inning of work.

EDGE Analysis

Wednesday's win brings Blanton's record to a deceptive 1-1. He has had a solid year so far, with his only loss and only earned run coming on a solo home run on Apr. 6. His 1.50 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 5.1 K/BB are respectable, but his lack of holds and saves limit his fantasy value in many leagues.

Blanton is not being considered as an option to stretch out for the back of the Dodgers' rotation, the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

With a slew of injuries this spring, including an oblique strain for Michael Bolsinger most recently, the Dodgers are looking at Carlos Frias, Zach Lee, and Brandon Beachy as potential replacements if Bolsinger is unable to avoid the disabled list when the regular season begins.