Nationals Re-Sign Familiar Face For Bullpen

Sometimes you just put the cart before the horse. The Washington Nationals apparently had a locker laid out for free agent reliever Sean Doolittle at their West Palm Beach spring training facility, so it was no surprise when we learned later in the day that they were going to be re-signing their former closer.

Sean Doolittle is indeed in agreement with Nationals, pending physical. https://t.co/pp0UrK5V1D
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 14, 2022

According to Nationals beat reporter Jesse Dougherty, it is a major league deal.

Doolittle spent four seasons with the Nats from 2017-2020, becoming a fan favorite, racking up 75 saves with a 3.03 ERA in Washington, and helping to lead them to their World Series championship in 2019. He served as their closer for his first three seasons there, before being supplanted in 2020. He spent 2021 in non-closing roles with the Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners.

The 35-year-old might not be a closer anymore, but he is certainly still beloved in DC. When he left the team after the 2020 season, he and his wife posted a heartfelt goodbye to Nats fans.

What he said. We love you, DC. We love your free museums, your Ben’s Chili Bowls, your indie bookstores, your weird traffic circles, your energy at Nationals Park, and your kindness as you welcomed us and made us feel right at home. ❤️✌🏼 https://t.co/4o1Me2Ahas pic.twitter.com/qrj1IsoalO
— Eireann Dolan (@EireannDolan) October 2, 2020