Rucker elected free agency Monday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals booted Rucker from their 40-man roster and he has decided to try out free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The 30-year-old spent the entirety of the 2024 campaign in the minors, holding a 6.16 ERA and 39:11 K:BB over 30.2 innings.

The Nationals claimed Rucker off waivers Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday, and he'll stick in the NL East after being claimed off waivers. Rucker hasn't pitched in the majors this season and has struggled at the Triple-A level with a 7.36 ERA across 22 innings, though he was a solid bullpen piece for the Cubs in 2022 with a 3.95 ERA in 41 appearances.

The Phillies designated Rucker for assignment Wednesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rucker has missed much of 2024 due to injury, posting a 6.58 ERA but also a 36:11 K:BB over 26 innings in the minors. The 30-year-old will cede his 40-man roster spot to Nick Nelson, who was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

The Phillies optioned Rucker to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

He'll give up his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the Philadelphia bullpen to right-hander Carlos Estevez, whom the Phillies acquired from the Angels over the weekend. Rucker has spent most of the season recovering from a right hand arterial vasospasm, but the Phillies brought him back from the 60-day injured list Friday. The righty didn't end up making any appearances out of the bullpen over the weekend in the Phillies' series with the Guardians, however.

The Phillies reinstated Rucker (hand) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic report.

EDGE Analysis

Philadelphia acquired Austin Hays in exchange for Seranthony Dominguez and Cristian Pache earlier Friday, and Rucker will fill the open roster spot. The right-hander was acquired from the Cubs in February but has been sidelined by an arterial vasospasm in his right hand. Rucker posted a 4.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings for Chicago last season and is now on the cusp of his debut with Philadelphia.

Rucker (hand) resumed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday, working one inning while striking out a batter and giving up one run on three hits and one walk.

EDGE Analysis

Rucker had been pulled off his rehab assignment last Sunday due to turf toe in his right big toe, but he evidently made a swift recovery from that injury. The 30-year-old is still in the process of building back up while he's been on the injured list all season due to a right hand arterial vasospasm. He'll likely work in middle relief for the Phillies once he's activated from the 60-day IL.

Rucker's rehab assignment as he comes back from a right hand injury was transferred from Single-A Clearwater to Double-A Reading on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Rucker made his first rehab appearance Friday with Clearwater, tossing a scoreless inning. The outing was Rucker's first in-game action since March 1, and he'll continue his recovery at Double-A Reading. Rucker will likely require a handful of rehab outings before being reinstated.

The Phillies transferred Rucker (hand) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rucker has already missed more than 60 days with right hand arterial vasospasm, so the move is merely to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. The reliever is without a clear timeline to begin a minor-league rehab assignment or return from the IL.

The Phillies placed Rucker on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right hand arterial vasospasm.

EDGE Analysis

More specifically, Rucker's right middle finger had been bothering him in spring training, as he didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances after March 1. Per MLB.com, Rucker isn't dealing with any sort of nerve issue or thoracic outlet syndrome even though he experienced numbness in the finger, but it's unclear when he might be ready to make his season debut.

Rucker hasn't made a Grapefruit League appearance since March 1 due to numbness in his right middle finger, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The reliever has traveled back to Philadelphia in order to have his finger examined. A stint on the injured list to begin the season would certainly appear to be possible, but more will be known following the exam.