Nationals pluck disappointing Phillies reliever off waivers

Michael Rucker's career as a Philadelphia Phillies pitcher didn't last long, if it even happened at all. The Phillies' offseason acquisition barely got a chance to prove himself on the mound and is now part of a rival NL East organization.

On Friday afternoon, the Phillies announced that the right-hander had been claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.

Nationals pluck disappointing Phillies reliever Michael Rucker off waivers

Leading up to being claimed by the Nationals, the Phillies designated Rucker for assignment on Sept. 4 when they had to shuffle the 40-man roster to make room for right-hander Nick Nelson, who was recalled to take Tyler Phillips' spot after the rookie's implosion against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rucker was acquired in February from the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations. Added as a possible bullpen depth arm, the 30-year-old never got his chance after being shut down during spring training with numbness in his right middle finger. He made just two spring training appearances before being placed on the IL before the season with right hand arterial vasospasm.

He began a rehab assignment on June 7 and was activated from the 60-day IL on July 26 and optioned to the minors.

In 22 games between Single-A (one game), Double-A (two games) and Triple-A, Rucker struggled to a 6.58 ERA and 1.96 WHIP. He registered 36 strikeouts and 11 walks in 26 innings, including his rehab assignment and after being activated. His 3.66 FIP indicated that perhaps he should have fared better, but after posting a 7.04 ERA with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies obviously saw him as expendable despite his previous major league experience.

Drafted by the Cubs in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Rucker made 96 MLB appearances out of the Cubs bullpen between 2021 and 2023, posting a 4.96 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP with 40 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings.