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Nationals land Twins’ reliever Kintzler in deadline deal

WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals made a last-minute move to bolster their bullpen, acquiring right-handed reliever Brandon Kintzler from the Minnesota Twins, the team announced Monday.

Single-A right-handed pitcher Tyler Watson is headed to Minnesota in return. Additionally, the Nationals designated minor league right-handed pitcher Jimmy Cordero for assignment to make room for Kintzler on the 40-man roster.

The Nats completed the move just minutes before Monday’s 4 p.m. EST non-waiver trade deadline. Kintzler, who turns 33 Tuesday, is in the midst of the best year of his career, pitching to a 2.78 ERA with 28 saves in 45 relief appearances for the Twins, earning him his first career All-Star selection.

Kintzler joins recent acquisitions Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle at the back of the Nationals’ bullpen. Despite a better run of late, Washington’s relief corps still owns the worst ERA in the National League at 5.07, nearly a full run higher than the Major League average.

Watson, 20, was originally a 34th-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. He was 6-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts) at Low-A Hagerstown.

WATCH: Nats celebrate World Series with parade ahead of Spring Training opener in Florida

The Washington Nationals showed off their trophy from winning the 2019 World Series in front of their local fans in South Florida during a parade on Thursday, February 20. Spring Training kicked off recently, and the first preseason game is Saturday, February 22, against the Houston Astros, the team they defeated in the World Series. Before the parade started, Michael A. Taylor and Sean Doolittle mingled with fans, some of whom were wearing hats supporting the local Miami Marlins. However, the West Palm Beach fans showed their support, as players like Kurt Suzuki, Trea Turner and Howie Kendrick rode in cars and buses through the main streets of Clemantis.
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