The Nationals reassigned Lee to minor-league camp Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Lee is expected to report to Triple-A Rochester, where he'll likely continue his development as a lefty reliever after underwhelming in a starting role during his time in the big leagues in 2022 before suffering a season-ending flexor strain. Over his 8.2 innings in the majors last season, Lee gave up four earned runs on nine hits and seven walks while punching out seven.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Moves into lefty relief role
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Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Lee (elbow) is now working exclusively as a reliever, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post reports.
Lee made his MLB debut as a starter last June but promptly suffered a left flexor strain, and the Nats seem to think a bullpen role is better suited for him moving forward. The 25-year-old has a chance to emerge as a lefty specialist out of camp this spring.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Bumped from 40-man roster
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Lee was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
A flexor strain limited Lee to 8.2 innings in the majors last season. He had never pitched at Triple-A prior to making his big-league debut last year. Lee could head to camp as a non-roster invitee.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Kicks off rehab assignment
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Lee (elbow) started a rehab assignment Monday with the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, turning in a scoreless inning while striking out a batter.
Before landing on the Nationals' injured list June 18 with a left flexor strain, Lee had recently been moved to the bullpen, but Washington could consider bringing him back as a starter if he's able to steadily build up his pitch count during his rehab assignment. Lee was eased back into action Monday with a light workload, so he'll likely need several more appearances in the minors to get stretched out before he's reinstated from the 60-day IL.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Moved to 60-day IL
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Lee (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
The Nationals needed to open up space on their 40-man roster, so they decided to move Lee to the longer of the two injured lists. He still has not started up a rehab assignment, so it remains to be seen if he will be sidelined beyond Aug. 17 -- the first day he is now eligible to be activated.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Prepping for rehab assignment
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Lee (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at the Nationals' spring training site in West Palm Beach, Fla. this week, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
While he's on the rehab assignment, the Nationals will likely have Lee build up as a potential starting option for the big club, so he'll presumably need at least a couple weeks to get stretched out before he's activated from the 15-day injured list. Prior to being placed on the IL on June 18 with a left flexor strain, Lee posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 8.2 innings across his four appearances (one start) with Washington.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Placed on 15-day IL
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Lee was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left flexor strain Saturday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com
Lee suffered a shoulder injury during the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Philadelphia, and he underwent X-rays that came back negative. However, he'll land on the injured list after an MRI revealed a strain. A better idea of Lee's return timetable should come into focus once he's cleared to resume throwing. Right-hander Andres Machado was recalled to take Lee's place in the bullpen.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Heading for MRI on shoulder
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Lee had X-rays on his left shoulder come back negative and will now undergo an MRI after leaving the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Lee issued four walks and allowed an unearned run over one inning out of the bullpen during Friday's matinee, and he also threw two wild pitches. It's unclear whether or not the left-hander will require a stint on the injured list, but he's unlikely to be available for the next couple days regardless.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Won't start this weekend
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Lee is no longer expected to make a start during Friday's doubleheader against the Phillies with the Nationals listing Joan Adon and Paolo Espino as their starters for Game 1 and 2, respectively, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
A day earlier, manager Dave Martinez seemed to imply that Lee would pick up a start in one half of the twin bill, but Washington is ultimately choosing to call up Adon from Triple-A Rochester to fill the temporary opening in the rotation. Adon hasn't worked more than three frames in his last two outings and Espino hasn't covered more than 3.2 innings on any occasion this season, so Lee could still be a candidate to handle a bulk-relief role in either end of the twin bill.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Set to pitch in Friday's twin bill
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Lee (knee) is scheduled to start one of the games in Friday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
The left-hander was struck in the right knee by a comebacker during his start against the Brewers on Sunday, though it won't affect his availability for the next turn through the rotation. Lee has covered 7.2 innings across his first three big-league appearances and has given up four earned runs with six strikeouts and three walks.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Hit by comebacker Sunday
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Lee was hit by a comebacker just below his right knee during Sunday's loss to Milwaukee, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Lee was hit by a line drive in the top of the sixth inning but felt fine to finish the frame. However, he said after the game that his knee tightened up following the inning. Prior to his departure, the southpaw allowed two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out two in 2.1 innings. Although Lee will be monitored in the coming days, he expects to be available to pitch later this week.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: No starting nod for now
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Lee won't move back into the rotation this weekend, as it's Paolo Espino who will start Sunday against the Brewers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Lee was moved to the bullpen after making his MLB debut as a starter at the beginning of June, but it looked like he could move back into the rotation to replace the demoted Joan Adon. Instead, that opportunity will go to Espino, with Lee remaining in relief for now.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Likely joining rotation
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Lee is expected to move into the rotation and start in Sunday's game against the Brewers after Washington demoted Joan Adon to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Stephen Strasburg (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery) is scheduled to come off the 60-day injured list to start Thursday in Miami, but Washington will still need another pitcher to replace Adon in the rotation. Lee represents the most logical option, as he'll be available to pitch Sunday on four days' rest after he tossed 1.2 scoreless frames Tuesday in relief of Adon, who gave up eight earned runs in the Nationals' 12-2 loss. Lee previously made his first MLB start June 1 against the Mets, working 3.2 innings in that outing while giving up two earned runs on four hits and three walks.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Takes loss in big-league debut
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Lee (0-1) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Mets on Wednesday.
Lee pitched fairly well in his first action above the Double-A level, but the Nationals' offense didn't support him very well. The 24-year-old southpaw has provided a serviceable 3.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 37:15 K:BB across 30 innings in seven starts with Double-A Harrisburg. Manager Davey Martinez said after the game that Lee is likely to get at least one more turn in the rotation, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Lee's next start is likely to be on the road Tuesday in Miami barring any changes to the Nationals' plans, but he's still got a ways to go before securing his spot in the majors, as Stephen Strasburg (neck) is expected back around the middle of June.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Recalled ahead of start
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Lee was recalled from Double-A Harrisburg ahead of Wednesday's start against the Mets.
Lee hasn't yet pitched above the Double-A level, but he was effective as a starter in Harrisburg to begin the year. Over seven starts in 2022, the southpaw posted a 3.60 ERA, 37:15 K:BB and 1.33 WHIP in 30 innings. He'll serve as a starter during his major-league debut after Aaron Sanchez was designated for assignment Saturday, but it's possible that Lee heads back to the minors afterward since Stephen Strasburg (neck) appears likely to return sometime next week.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Set for MLB debut Wednesday
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The Nationals are planning to call up Lee from Double-A Harrisburg to start Wednesday's game against the Mets in New York, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Lee will step into the opening in the Washington rotation that was created when Aaron Sanchez was designated for assignment Saturday. The 24-year-old lefty will bypass the Triple-A level entirely as he makes his way to the majors, with Lee's status as a 40-man roster player likely heavily factoring into the equation in him getting the starting nod over Jackson Tetreault, who has had an impressive May while pitching out of the rotation at Triple-A Rochester. Lee, meanwhile, has compiled a 3.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 37:15 K:BB across 30 innings at Harrisburg. He may be in line for just one start with the big club, as the Nationals could get Stephen Strasburg (thoracic outlet syndrome) back from the 10-day injured list by the time Washington next requires a fifth starter.
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Nationals' Evan Lee: Sent to Triple-A
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Washington optioned Lee to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
He was one of four players optioned among the Nationals' first cuts of big-league camp, joining pitchers Seth Romero (back) and Gabe Klobosits along with outfielder Yasel Antuna. Lee spent the entire 2021 campaign at High-A Wilmington, logging a 4.32 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 104:32 K:BB in 77 innings.
