The Washington Nationals unveiled their 25-man roster for the National League Division Series on Friday morning, and left-hander Ross Detwiler was not on it.
Reserve outfielder Scott Hairston was another notable omission for the Nationals, who will face the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 on Friday afternoon. Beleaguered former closer Rafael Soriano, left-hander Jerry Blevins and reserve outfielder Nate Schierholtz were all included on the roster.
Detwiler started Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals and only allowed three hits over six innings, perhaps the team’s most impressive start of its brief postseason stint. Thanks in large part to Detwiler’s performance, Washington went on to win Game 4 and push the series to a fifth game, where it lost to St. Louis, 9-7.
Detwiler was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 draft and began his career as a starter before transitioning to a bullpen role. He went 2-3 with a 4.00 earned-run average in 47 appearances this season, working primarily in a long-relief role.
Hairston will also not play in the NLDS after being a key contributor off the bench for most of this season. The 34-year-old has played in 923 games with six different teams over the course of his 11-year career in the major leagues, but he has never played in a postseason game. He hit .208 in 87 plate appearances this season.
While Detwiler and Hairston were left off the roster, two relatively recently acquisitions were included. Schierholtz, who signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals in mid-August, will primarily serve as a left-handed pinch-hitter off the bench. Left-hander Matt Thornton, who was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees on Aug. 5, was also included on the postseason roster.
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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