Washington Nationals

The Nationals waited nearly to the end of spring training to answer their biggest question, naming 28-year-old right-hander

Blake Treinen as their closer. Treinen has one save in 148 major league appearances, but the Nationals settled on him after considering veteran Shawn Kel

ley and rookie Koda Glover. “Blake has that turbo sinker,” manager Dusty Baker said. “He may give up a hit or a walk, but he’s always one pitch away from getting two outs with one pitch.”

Treinen was primarily a starting pitcher in the minors, and even when he pitched in the bullpen it was rarely to close games. His only two minor league saves came six years ago at Class A Burlington (Iowa).

Third baseman Anthony Rendon spent the final week of spring training dealing with a calf injury the Nationals didn’t consider serious.

Rendon was out of the lineup for five days in a row after he fouled a pitch off his calf.