“[Johnson] told me to slow down. I was a) just trying to keep it going, and b) I’ve used the quick pitch sometimes. He told me to slow down one time, and the other guy behind me [at second base] told me I had to come set or it’s a balk,” Kelley said. “… Then the home plate umpire was telling me to hurry up. I was like, ‘But you told me to slow down.’ It was kind of frustrating. That’s all that was about.”<doc-sep>G Fiume/Getty Images The Washington Nationals announced Wednesday that relief pitcher Shawn Kelley was designated for assignment following an outburst in Tuesday's 25-4 win over the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Kelley, who threw his glove to the ground after allowing a home run to Mets outfielder Austin Jackson, said he "acted like a baby," per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Nationals manager Dave Martinez called the reliever's actions "disrespectful to the organization." "You're either in or you're in the way. I thought he was in the way," general manager Mike Rizzo said, adding the incident was "selfish." Kelley was enjoying a strong season for Washington out of the bullpen. He compiled a 3.34 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 32 strikeouts in 32.1 innings. His 35 pitching appearances were tied for the fourth-most on the team. The 34-year-old Kentucky native struggled in 2017 en route to a 7.27 ERA in 33 games, but he finished with a sub-2.65 ERA in each of the previous two years. He owns a 3.73 career ERA across nine-plus seasons. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The Nationals must decide whether to place Kelley on waivers, trade him or release him within the next seven days if they don't return him to the active 40-man roster. Since the non-waiver trade deadline passed Tuesday, he would need to clear waivers before Washington could deal him. Video Play Button Videos you might like Sammy Solis and Justin Miller will take on more prominent roles in the Nats pen in front of closer Kelvin Herrera and setup man Ryan Madson. Kelley should generate interest either via trade or free agency given his track record.<doc-sep>When Washington Nationals reliever Shawn Kelley entered in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 25-4 blowout of the New York Mets, it was an unusual position for a veteran reliever to be in. He still had three outs to get, though, despite the bountiful lead. Once Austin Jackson cranked a three-run home run off Kelley, a mere flesh wound toward the Nationals’ chance of victory, Kelley threw his glove on the ground and glared into the dugout. Kelley said postgame he was frustrated at the umpires for first telling him to slow his pace, then asking him to speed it up. According to Kelley, there was no frustration toward pitching in what had been a 24-run game. Regardless of intention, Kelley was designated for assignment Wednesday after his action was deemed “disrespectful to the name on the front of the jersey,” general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday. Washington recalled right-hander Jimmy Cordero to replace Kelley. After a tense trade deadline that saw reliever Brandon Kintzler shipped off to the Cubs, Rizzo decided to keep the majority of the team intact. Before the Nationals play the Mets on Wednesday, Washington rests 5½ games out of the National League East lead, in striking distance despite sitting at .500. So, Washington’s series-opening slugfest, setting a franchise record with 25 runs scored, was a welcome sight for a team that has struggled to maintain consistency. Kelley’s outburst — “I acted like a baby,” he said postgame — put a sour note on affairs. “Knowing what we did yesterday, scoring all those runs, everybody’s feeling good, he comes in the game, slams his glove,” manager Dave Martinez said. “That to me bothered me. A lot. And like I said, it was disrespectful to his teammates and this organization. Then we sit back and I think about it, and he’s a guy I have respect for, and I have to tell him, ‘Hey, we’re going to DFA you.’ And I wish him all the best.” Martinez said he didn’t think Kelley was showing him up when he stared into the dugout for being put in the game. Rizzo said he did see it that way. Kelley had five days’ rest, so he was ready to throw. After the contest, Kelley said he figured he would be in charge of the ninth because reliever Wander Suero’s pitch count rose to 29 in his one frame. Pitchers Ryan Madson and Max Scherzer approached Kelley after the game for a conversation and patted him on the back. Still, as Martinez deliberated late into the night, the group present felt designating Kelley for an assignment was the best option going forward. Martinez said he got two hours of sleep after, thinking about it. Kelley was not available Wednesday for comment. “It stinks, it really does. I’ve got a lot of respect for Shawn, I really do. But that wasn’t right. We just won a game, 25-4,” Martinez said. “I think he was a bit shocked, yeah. He apologized for his actions, but, I mean, it happened. And there’s a lot of people upset about it.” Now, in the past two days, two veteran relief options have left. The Nationals got younger and less expensive. But for a team adamant that a push toward the postseason is still in reach, it remains to be seen how Cordero and Suero will fair in the big leagues. Martinez said Cordero, 26, was “lights out” with Triple-A Syracuse. He pitched to a 1.67 ERA in 43 innings and has not allowed a run in his past 15 games. “He’s throwing 97, 99 [mph]. He’s got a really good slider,” Martinez said. “Biggest thing for us after seeing him in spring training is that he’s throwing strikes.” Kelley’s move can also be seen as a statement for clubhouse unity. Kintzler had been outspoken about his usage out of the bullpen earlier this year. He departed. And now Kelley follows suit. “I couldn’t see how he could face the rest of his teammates and the coaching staff and the manager again after such a selfish act,” Rizzo said. “It’s the front of the jersey I’m worried about, not the name on the back, and you’re in, or you’re in the way.” Sign up for Daily Newsletters Manage Newsletters Copyright © 2021 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.<doc-sep>Shawn Kelley's emotional outburst in the ninth inning Tuesday cost him his job with the Washington Nationals. The Nationals designated Kelley for assignment on Wednesday morning. According to The Washington Post, manager Dave Martinez said Kelley lost his job because his glove slam was "disrespectful to the organization." Washington general manager Mike Rizzo was even more blunt, telling The Post, "You're either in or you're in the way. He was in the way." Rizzo added that he thought Kelley was showing up Martinez. Kelley's trouble came when he tried to close out the ninth inning, with the Nats holding a 25-1 lead against the Mets. He allowed three runs, with two coming on Austin Jackson's homer. That's when Kelley lost it, slamming his glove on the mound while glaring into the Nationals' dugout. After the Nats' 25-4 rout, Kelley told The Post that he was frustrated with the umpires. Kelley, who had been with the Nationals since 2016, had a 3.34 ERA this season with 32 strikeouts in 35 games. MORE:Nationals' historic 21-run demolition leaves Mets with worst loss ever MORE:Five MLB players who could be traded before Aug. 31 Contact Nicole Poell at npoell@usatoday.com or on Twitter @NicolePoell.<doc-sep>
Shawn Kelley’s outburst on the mound got him booted from the Washington Nationals. The Nationals designated Kelley for assignment on Wednesday, a day after he threw his glove to the ground and glared into the dugout while working the ninth inning of a 25-4 blowout of the New York Mets. Kelley entered the game with Washington leading 25-1. He appeared agitated and was working quickly, and he had already allowed a run when the plate umpire warned him to slow down. After the warning, he gave up a two-run homer to Austin Jackson, prompting the outburst. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Kelley’s behavior “was disrespectful to the name on the front of the jersey, the organization, specifically [manager] Davey Martinez. ... That’s something you don’t come back from. It was a disrespectful act. I thought it warranted him leaving the team. I couldn’t see how he would face the rest of the teammates and the coaching staff and the manager after such a selfish act in a 25-1 game.” Kelley apologized for his actions afterward, saying he just wanted the game to end. “I was just trying to get through the inning and get the game over with,” Kelley said. “I thought everybody had seen enough baseball for one evening.” The 34-year-old Kelley signed as a free agent with Washington in December 2015 and appeared in 135 games with the team. He had a 3.34 ERA in 35 appearances this season. He has pitched in 424 games, all in relief, over 10 seasons with four teams, and has a 3.73 career ERA. Martinez said the decision to cut ties with Kelley was painful but necessary. “Knowing what we did yesterday, scoring all those runs, everybody’s feeling good. He comes into the game, slams his glove, frustrated with everyone. That, to me, bothered me a lot,” the manager said. “I wish him all the best. Here’s a guy that I got to know personally. He’s not a bad person.” The Nationals have seven days to trade or release Kelley. If he is released, the Nationals would be responsible for the $1.8 million remaining of his $5.5-million salary. If traded, he would be eligible for $50,000 bonuses for making 40 and 50 relief appearances, and could earn $100,000 for 60.