Phillies unload their closer to Nationals

• The Washington Nationals have a new closer, landing All-Star Jonathan Papelbon from the Philadelphia Phillies.

And the NL East race is shaping up to be a whole lot of fun down the stretch.

On the night the Nationals got Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman back from long stints on the disabled list, they also landed Papelbon from the Phillies and wasted no time announcing that he will be taking over the closer duties from Drew Storen. It didn’t help Washington any Tuesday night, as the Nationals lost to the Miami Marlins 4-1.

Washington’s loss, combined with the New York Mets’ win over San Diego, cut the Nationals’ lead in the NL East to one game.

Papelbon is Philadelphia’s career saves leader with 123 and is 17 for 17 in save chances this season. Papelbon is also Boston’s saves leader with 219.

The 34-year-old righthander had said he wouldn’t accept a trade unless he would remain a closer, and agreed to waive his no-trade clause after getting the assurances he needed from Washington. Storen, 29 for 31 in save chances this season, shifts to primarily a setup role.

“Papelbon is our ninth-inning pitcher,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. “Drew will pitch the ninth inning at times when Papelbon is unavailable and be our setup guy in the eighth inning as we are constructed today. … We’ve got two terrific, elite ninth-inning guys who can close out games in pressure situations.”

As part of the trade, Papelbon’s $13-million option for 2016 becomes a guaranteed $11-million salary. Some of that money will be deferred.

The Phillies will receive Double-A right-hander Nick Pivetta, who is from Victoria.