Lucas Sims DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Lucas Sims is set to throw live batting practice on Sunday. Sims signed a one-year $3 million contract with the Nationals earlier this week and is slightly behind schedule. However, seeing him set to take the mound on Sunday should put him in a good position to be ready for Opening Day. Last season, the 30-year-old held a 4.38 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP across 49 1/3 innings. He split time with the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox. During the 2023 campaign, the 30-year-old held a 3.10 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP across 61 innings. During that season, he tallied an impressive 72 punchouts. Fantasy managers should expect Sims to compete for a high-leverage role in the Washington bullpen. In addition, with the team lacking a true closer, he could eventually earn save opportunities.

Free-agent right-hander Lucas Sims officially signed an undisclosed one-year deal with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. In a corresponding move, the Nationals placed right-hander Mason Thompson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list to open up room on the 40-man roster. Sims, a former first-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2012, is a bit behind the other pitchers in camp but is confident he'll be ready for Opening Day in late March. While Jorge Lopez is considered the favorite for saves in 2025, the Nationals could go with a closer committee, potentially giving Sims a chance to factor into the late innings with his new team. The 30-year-old has a career 26.9% strikeout rate, 4.50 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, 12 saves and a 12.1% walk rate in 306 career major-league innings. Washington is hoping to return Sims to his earlier form, but he's going to need to limit the free passes to secure a trusted high-leverage spot at the back of the bullpen.UPDATE: Sims' one-year deal is worth $3 million.

Former Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Lucas Sims is nearing an agreement with the Washington Nationals, sources told Mass Live's Chris Cotillo. Sims opened last year with the Cincinnati Reds and finished the year in Boston, going a combined 1-6 with a 4.38 ERA (5.23 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, one save, 49 strikeouts and 30 walks in 49 1/3 relief innings over 58 appearances out of the bullpen. The 30-year-old veteran would give the Nationals another option for high-leverage innings out of the bullpen, and he could even be in the mix for saves with Jorge Lopez, Derek Law and Jose Ferrer. Still, Sims wouldn't have much fantasy appeal outside of deeper NL-only leagues. In his eight years in the majors after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves 21st overall in 2012, Sims has a 4.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 12 saves and a 353:159 K:BB in 306 innings pitched.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Lucas Sims (lat), who has been inconsistent since joining the Red Sox last month, was shut down on Aug. 27 with a right-lat strain. Manager Alex Cora said the team will have a better idea if the righty will return this year in around 10 days. "He's moving, he's working out and all that stuff," said Cora. "Obviously it bothers him when he reaches out. Hopefully [we'll] re-evaluate in 10 days and see where we're at." The 30-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. Since the Red Sox acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline, he has allowed nine runs while walking seven and striking out seven in 10 innings of work. In 54 relief outings in 2024, Sims is 1-6 with a bloated 4.57 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, one save and a 47:27 K:BB in 45 1/3 innings. Sims hasn't ben on the fantasy radar at all.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims is being traded to the Boston Red Sox, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Sims has logged 35 innings of relief in Cincinnati this season with a 3.57 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and a 20:40 BB:K ratio with one save. The right-hander has typically operated in a set-up role, pitching in the eighth inning. Under the hood, he holds a 26.0% K rate and 34.4% hard-hit rate, which are both above average among qualified pitchers. Current Boston closer Kenley Jansen, has struggled across his last five appearances with a 9.00 ERA and 2.17 WHIP, which could open the door for Sims to earn an occasional save opportunity.