Dylan

Floro

Floro has been brought along slowly this spring due to right shoulder tightness. The 33-year-old veteran righty is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters he’s not very concerned adding that Floro has dealt with similar issues in previous spring trainings. The veteran right-hander, who signed a one-year, $2.25 million pact with Washington back in December, won’t need a ton of time to ramp-up for Opening Day, so fantasy managers shouldn’t panic at this point.

The deal also includes incentives that could run the total higher. The 32-year-old former closer had a rough season in 2023 — registering a 4.76 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and a 58/17 K/BB ratio over 56 2/3 innings of work between the Twins and Marlins. Expect him to settle into a setup role with the Nationals.

Floro was removed from Minnesota’s 40-man roster last week after struggling to a bloated 5.29 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 17/6 K/BB ratio over 17 innings (19 appearances) since being acquired just prior to the trade deadline from the Marlins.

Since joining the Twins at the trade deadling, Floro has struggled mightily — registering a 5.29 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and a 17/6 K/BB ratio over 17 innings of work, so it’s not surprising to see him jettisoned off the roster with Brock Stewart ready to return. There’s a chance that another squad could scoop Floro up off of waivers, though he’ll be a free agent at season’s end.

The deal is now official. Floro will bolster Minnesota’s high-leverage relief depth for the remainder of the 2023 campaign before reaching free agency at the conclusion of the season. The 32-year-old right-hander has recorded seven saves this year to go along with a 4.54 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 41/11 K/BB ratio across 39 2/3 innings (43 appearances).

It’s an interesting swap of high-leverage relievers as Floro will be a free agent at the conclusion of the season, while López won’t reach free agency until after the 2024 season.

The right-hander came on with the score tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday. He allowed a leadoff single to Elvis Andrus who then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. After striking out Tim Anderson, he walked Andrew Benintendi intentionally to face Luis Robert Jr. That was a bad idea. Robert Jr. delivered the White Sox a walk-off winner as he lined an RBI single into left field. Floro now holds a disappointing 4.50 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 26 innings on the season.

Steven Okert opened the ninth in a 9-5 game, but he gave up a triple to Edward Olivares and an RBI single to Drew Waters before being removed with one out. Floro came in with Bobby Witt Jr. up and induced the game-ending grounder for his seventh save. A.J. Puk should be back this week to supplant Floro from the closer’s role.

He struck out two. Floro was making his first appearance since a meltdown Tuesday against the Padres got him tagged with a loss. He’ll soon return to a setup role with A.J. Puk close to being activated from the IL.