The Washington Nationals have released Jonathan Papelbon, the team's former closer.
The team confirmed the move on their Twitter page earlier Saturday.
Papelbon hasn't had a good summer; he hasn't pitched since August 6 and even before that had struggled. With the Nationals this year, he pitched 37 games, with 19 saves and a 4.37 ERA.
The Nats had acquired closer Mark Melancon, which seemed to cement Papelbon's fate.
In July, after Papelbon had blown a save against the Cleveland Indians, Nats Manager Dusty Baker expressed his concern. "How does he look?" Baker said after the game. "Right now he doesn’t look like Pap. He doesn’t look very good. Usually he doesn’t walk people like that."
Nats fans, however, may remember Papelbon most for that time he wrapped his hands around Bryce Harper's neck during a dugout fight on Fan Appreciation Day in September 2015.
Three days earlier, Papelbon had intentionally thrown a pitch at Manny Machado's head. The suspensions for those two events ended his 2015 season.
Stay with News4 and NBC Washington for more on this developing story.
