Kyle Finnegan's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings
Player profile
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HT/WT6' 2'' , 198 lbs
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Birthdate09/04/1991 (33)
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CollegeTexas State
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Draft InfoUndrafted
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StatusInactive
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan had a tough outing on Sunday, blowing a two-run lead and taking both the blown save and the loss in a 6-5 defeat against the Cincinnati Reds. Finnegan allowed three hits, including two homers, which did him in. After a solid performance on Saturday and Hunter Harvey giving up a pair of runs, it seemed like Finnegan was strengthening his hold on the closer role. But after Sunday, things have gotten murky again. Finnegan should still be considered the favorite for saves, but if he continues to be shaky the Nationals could switch things up quickly.
Washington Nationals right-hander Kyle Finnegan allowed one walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Finnegan entered the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. He needed 16 pitches to retire the four batters he faced. It's worth noting that Hunter Harvey was called upon in the eighth inning and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over an inning. Finnegan missed time in spring training due to a back issue but appeared to be fully healthy heading into the start of the season. Fantasy managers searching for saves can add Finnegan in all league formats, as he is the favorite to handle ninth-inning duties for the Nationals.
Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan (back) returned to the mound on Thursday in a Grapefruit League game after a nine-day layoff due to lower-back tightness. He took a comebacker off his right foot in the top of the seventh inning, but it ended up being harmless. "Physically I felt great," Finnegan said. "I would've argued to keep going, finish my inning. But 25 is a good place to land. I was excited to get back out there and come out of it feeling good. That was the most pitches I threw all spring. To feel good after that, after the layoff, is positive." The 32-year-old gave up one earned run on three hits with a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning against the Minnesota Twins. Finnegan has fantasy value as the primary closing option for the Nats to open the regular season, but Hunter Harvey is a candidate to surpass him on the depth chart if he struggles in the ninth inning.
Washington Nationals right-hander Kyle Finnegan (back), who hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 12 due to a tight back, is healthy. He was originally going to pitch on Wednesday night, but he and the team decided to push him back to Thursday. When healthy, Finnegan should be the favorite for saves for the rebuilding Nats in 2024, although he could lose some save chances to Hunter Harvey. Finnegan, 32, had a career-high 28 saves in 67 appearances last year for Washington while also posting a career-high 3.76 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 24 walks and 63 strikeouts in 69 1/3 relief innings. He saw the vast majority of save opps for the team but ran out of gas late. Finnegan throws gas but had a below-average strikeout rate (21.7%) and allowed too many home runs, which makes him a fantasy closer to avoid in 2024.
Washington Nationals reliever Kyle Finnegan tried out a new sweeper for the first time in a Grapefruit League game on Wednesday. "Finnegan's always been toying around with trying to get a third pitch," manager Davey Martinez said. "Cause everything he throws is hard. So, he wanted to create some kind of deception, more or less." The new pitch has been registering 78-79 mph, and its spin rate, horizontal break, and pitch shape have all been in line with the numbers for a quality sweeper to complement his high-90s fastball, slider and splitter. Finnegan's sweepers registered 84 and 85 mph on Wednesday, and one of them induced a strikeout. The new pitch could help boost the 32-year-old's career-low 21.9% strikeout rate from a season ago as Washington's co-closer.