In a welcome boost for the Washington Nationals, veteran reliever Derek Law has been activated from the 15-day injured list, as reported by Mark Zuckerman of MASN. Law, who has been sidelined since mid-August due to ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow, is set to make his return during the upcoming series against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Nationals made this move following a decision to option reliever Orlando Ribalta to Triple-A after his underwhelming performance against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Law’s activation is expected to provide a significant reinforcement to the bullpen.
Derek Law, 33, signed a minor league deal with the Nationals in February and joined the major league roster the following month. When healthy, Law has proven to be a reliable asset on the mound. His performance before the injury was impressive, with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP, complemented by 61 strikeouts. Notably, Law demonstrated his capability in high-pressure situations by securing a save against the New York Mets on July 4.
Law’s pitching repertoire includes a 92 mph cutter, an 87 mph slider, and both a 95 mph 4-seam fastball and a 95 mph sinker, making him a versatile and formidable presence in relief.
Law’s career spans since his MLB debut in April 2016 with the San Francisco Giants, where he played until 2018. Over the years, he has also suited up for the Toronto Blue Jays (2019), Minnesota Twins (2021), Detroit Tigers (2022), and Cincinnati Reds (2022-2023). Although he signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic’s cancellation of the minor league season prevented him from taking the field that year.
Hailing from Pittsburgh, Law was drafted by the Giants in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Miami Dade College. He gained considerable experience within the Giants’ farm system before making his major league debut, and his return to the Nationals is eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike.
With Law back in the bullpen, the Nationals are poised to benefit from his experience and skill, as they continue their push through the remainder of the season.