The Washington Nationals selected the contract of left-hander Colin Poche on Saturday, adding him to their 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day next Thursday. Poche wasn't anything special during his 4 2/3 innings in the Grapefruit League this spring, giving up four earned runs, but the 31-year-old veteran southpaw will give the Nats some experience in their bullpen to begin the year. In a likely middle-relief role in Washington, Poche isn't going to have much fantasy appeal at all, although he did have a solid 3.27 ERA (4.16 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, 10 saves, 158 strikeouts and 59 walks in 156 2/3 innings over 174 relief appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays over the last three seasons. He's also added 17 wins and 65 holds since the start of the 2022 season, so don't count him out as an under-the-radar contributor in holds leagues.

The Washington Nationals agreed on a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training with free-agent left-hander Colin Poche on Friday. Poche heads to the National League East after spending the last three years with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he went 17-7 with a 3.27 ERA (4.16 FIP), 1.13 WHIP, 10 saves, 158 strikeouts and 59 walks in 156 2/3 innings over 174 relief appearances. The 31-year-old southpaw appeared in 43 games out of the bullpen last year and sported a 3.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, two saves, 33 strikeouts and 13 walks in 37 1/3 frames. The veteran reliever also had 65 holds over the last three seasons and certainly has enough experience to win an Opening Day spot in Washington's bullpen, especially when considering the lack of proven options they have. Poche could be a sleeper for holds in deeper fantasy formats in D.C.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Rays have non-tendered relief pitchers Tyler Alexander and Colin Poche. Alexander operated as both a starter and a reliever last summer and held a 5.10 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP across 107 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, he carried a poor 4.68 xERA and 32.1% ground ball rate. Poche operated as a high-leverage option out of the bullpen over the past few seasons in Tampa Bay. Last summer, he took a slight step back as he posted a 3.68 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP compared to his stellar 2.23 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP he held in 2023. Fantasy managers should expect Poche to find a new club and continue to operate as a high-leverage option and could eventually mix in for save opportunities depending on his new situation. Alexander will likely find a new home in another bullpen but could see occasional starts.

The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated left-hander Colin Poche (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned right-hander Cole Sulser to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Inflammation in Poche's left shoulder has kept him out in September to this point, but he will skip a minor-league rehab assignment and return to Tampa's big-league bullpen to close out the 2024 season. The 30-year-old southpaw will return to a 1-2 record, 3.67 ERA (5.15 FIP), a 1.14 WHIP, two saves, 31 strikeouts and 13 walks in his 34 1/3 relief innings in 2024 over 39 appearances. The Rays are currently rolling with a closer-by-committee approach involving Edwin Uceta, Manuel Rodriguez and Richard Lovelady late in the year, and Poche could enter that mix now that he's healthy. Fantasy managers desperate for saves this late in the game could take a flier on Poche in deep leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Colin Poche (back) joined Triple-A Durham for a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday after he felt good during a 15-pitch bullpen session on May 22. Manager Kevin Cash said Poche will likely need a few rehab appearances before he's ready to join the big-league bullpen in Tampa. The left-hander went on the injured list on April 26 (retroactive to April 24) with a mid-back issue that prevented him from feeling fully comfortable on the mound. The 30-year-old received an injection in his back, which came before a few days of rest, and he needed a second cortisone-type injection in early May. Poche had a career-best 2.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a save in 66 relief outings for the Rays in 2023 but had allowed seven earned runs on 12 hits (three homers) in 9 1/3 innings this year before landing on the IL.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Colin Poche (back) has resumed baseball activities, but it's still uncertain how long he's going to be sidelined. The left-hander landed on the injured list in late April due to back tightness. He received an injection in his back and needed a second cortisone-type shot in early May. The fact the Rays went out and acquired left-hander Richard Lovelady suggests that Poche won't be ready anytime soon. Peter Fairbanks, Garrett Cleavinger, and Jason Adam figure to be the primary late game options for the Rays right now.

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Colin Poche (back) threw on flat ground at Tropicana Field on Sunday and was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Monday. Poche went on the injured list on April 26 with mid-back tightness that had been preventing him from feeling fully comfortable on the mound. He received an injection in his back, which came before a few days of rest. The 30-year-old southpaw should be able to return in the middle of May as long as he doesn't have any setbacks. Poche won a career-high 12 games last year for the Rays and had a 2.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a save. He has a 6.75 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in his first 9 1/3 relief innings so far in 2024, but he also has two saves and could be in the picture for saves, depending on when Pete Fairbanks (hand) is able to return.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Colin Poche (back) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. The move is retroactive to April 24th with Poche dealing with back tightness. The organization has not given a timetable for how long Poche will be sidelined. This is a hit to the Rays bullpen with Pete Fairbanks already sidelined as well. The loss of these two pitchers should mean increased save chances for Jason Adam and Garrett Cleavinger.

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Colin Poche picked up his second save of the year in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Angels by tossing a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout. It wasn't perfect, though, as he did allow two hits. The 30-year-old got the save opportunity in the series finale after regular closer Pete Fairbanks tossed 28 pitches in a save attempt on Wednesday. The left-handed Pache gave up four runs in his first three outings of the 2024 campaign, but since then he hasn't given up a run in five straight appearances out of Tampa's bullpen. As long as Fairbanks and Jason Adam remain healthy, Poche isn't going to see very many save chances for the Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in MLB. They are currently 39-17 and have surprised everyone with how they have played this season. Despite their promising start, they are suddenly confronted with a huge problem.Pete Fairbanks, their closer, was placed on the injured list with left hip inflammation. He suffered the injuryduring warmups on May 28thand is currently placedon the 15-day injured list.Fairbanks'absencemayrequirefantasymanagersto make changes to their lineupandthispiecewilldiscuss thenewcloserfortheAmericanLeagueleaders.https://twitter.com/RaysFanGio/status/1662887067016200201?s=20

Tampa Bay Rays Closing Pitcher

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Tampa Bay Rays reliever Colin Poche allowed one walk over 2/3 of an inning to earn the save during Thursday's 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He entered the game with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. The 29-year-old walked Bo Bichette but got the next two batters out to secure the Rays' win. He picked up his first save of the year. Poche has logged six holds, a 1.56 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts over 17 1/3 innings in 2023. Poche is mainly an option in leagues that reward the category saves and holds.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Colin Poche struck out one across a scoreless inning to earn the save during Saturday's 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The southpaw retired all three batters he faced to earn his fourth save of the season. He is now 4-for-5 in save chances, adding eight holds, a 1.27 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 18:6 K: BB across 21 1/3 innings in 2022. Tampa Bay continues to use a bullpen by committee with Poche, Jason Adam, and Brooks Raley, while primary closer Andrew Kittredge (elbow) is on the 60-day injured list. Poche is a speculative add in most league formats for fantasy managers searching for saves.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Colin Poche was called upon to put an end to the team's 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday. He entered the game in the ninth inning with two outs and the bases loaded and he was able to get White Sox outfielder Luis Robert to strike out on four pitches. Poche is now 3-for-4 on save opportunities this year. He's tied for second on the team in saves behind Andrew Kittredge (back), who is currently out with a back injury but nearing a return. Poche has a strong 1.56 ERA and 0.92 WHIP on the year. He should continue have see save opportunities pop up here and there this year, but he'll primarily be used in a setup role.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Colin Poche struck out one over an inning to earn the save during Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins. He entered the ninth inning of Wednesday's game to protect a two-run lead. The southpaw held the Marlins to an unearned run and escaped a jam to earn his first save of the year. Tampa Bay called on Poche for the team's first save opportunity since the team's primary closer Andrew Kittredge (back), was placed on the injured list earlier this week. J.P. Feyereisen entered the eighth inning, while Brooks Raley did not appear in Wednesday's contest. Poche owns a 1.29 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts over 14 innings in 2022. Fantasy managers searching for saves should add Poche in all league formats.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Colin Poche (elbow) completed his rehab in the last couple of months and was cleared to return in the fall instructional league after not pitching in a game since the 2019 playoffs. Poche injured his left elbow during spring workouts leading up to the shortened 2020 season and spent last year rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery. "It's killing me," Poche said. "It's definitely been a long time, and it's itching at me to get back out there. I missed being able to compete. Obviously, it hurts being delayed right now. I would love to be out there competing." The 28-year-old southpaw had a 4.70 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 72 strikeouts, 19 walks and two saves in 51 2/3 relief innings in his rookie season with Tampa in 2019.