Washington Nationals shake up the bullpen by sending down PJ Poulin for Clayton Beeter
With Clayton Beeter back, the Nats sent down bullpen mainstay PJ Poulin despite solid surface level numbers
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 13: PJ Poulin #50 of the Washington Nationals points towards Curtis Mead #45 of the Washington Nationals after a win in the tenth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Washington Nationals made a somewhat surprising move in the bullpen. With Clayton Beeter coming back from the IL, the Nats decided to option PJ Poulin to Triple-A.
On the surface, this move seems pretty odd. Poulin leads the Nats in appearances with 23 and has posted a solid 2. 91 ERA.
The Nationals have optioned PJ Poulin to Triple-A Rochester. — Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) May 21, 2026 However, when you look under the hood, things make more sense. Despite Poulin’s low ERA, the underlying metrics agreed that he was getting lucky.
Poulin’s xERA and xFIP are both 5. 46, while his FIP is 5. 51.
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