Paolo Espino

Espino earned only 30 innings in the major-leagues prior to the 2021 campaign, though he got extended run as the Nationals fell out of contention and lost key members of their rotation due to both trade and injury. While he began the campaign largely in mop-up duty out of the bullpen, he served nearly exclusively as a starter from June 28 on. In 17 starts, he posted a 5.01 ERA with 69 strikeouts while allowing 1.7 HR/9 across 79 innings. Now entering his age-34 season, there's little reason to expect improved results in 2022. In 98 total innings as a starter in his career, Espino has surrendered a .342 wOBA with a 4.68 ERA. With the Nationals likely to still be in the midst of a rebuild, it's possible that Espino sees time as a starter. However, with prospects such as Cade Cavalli and Seth Romero likely to see time in Washington in 2022, Espino's time in the rotation figures to be short lived.