Derek Law spent two weeks on the IL in late August and early September to deal with elbow issues and a flexor strain, but the right-handed relief pitcher still pitched for the second-most innings in the majors in 2024. He was able to pitch and finished the year with the following results: 90 IP in total this season (He is second only to reliever Ryan Yarborough, who led the major leagues with 98 RBIs. 2⁄3 Between LA and Torontoo).
In doing so, Law “became the fourth reliever in Nationals history (since 2005) to reach the 90.0 innings mark,” as the club stated in its season review for the 2016 season:
His 90.0 innings ranked second in the major leagues, and his 75 games played tied for fifth.
“Law had his best year in terms of earned run average (2.60) and holds (17) since his rookie season in 2016 (2.13, 14), and … had a career-high 76 strikeouts from batters.”
Law, who signed a one-year/$1.5 million contract with the Nationals last offseason, has a 2.60 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 24 walks (2.40 BB/9), and the aforementioned 76 Ks (7.60 K/9). That ended the big year. ), batting average of .246/.294/.348, mainly throwing cutters (37.9%) and sliders (30%), four-seamer (13.6%), sinker (9.8%), changeup (5.1%), curveball (3.6%), .306 BAA and .407 SLG for cutters, and .157 BAA and .220 SLG for sliders this year.
In the final 20 games of the season, Law showed overwhelming strength (Before and after IL stint) 0.79 ERA, 2.11 FIP, .180/.235/.218 line against ages 22 and older. 2⁄3 IP was scoreless in his last eight trips to the mound.
“He’s been unbelievable. He really does,” Davey Martinez said when the manager was asked how often he used Law throughout the season.
“I’ve said it before: He doesn’t like when I give him days off, and he always says he doesn’t pitch well on his days off. He always wants to be there.
“That being said, we had a little bit of misgivings with him so we had to put him on the IL, but he’s been unbelievable again since then.”
Lowe told reporters that his year-end break has reinvigorated him for the stretch run.
“Think about it,” he explained, Quoted by Mark Zuckerman of MASN.
“This is like your body getting full rest for the first time,” Law said, citing advice he got from pitching strategist Sean Doolittle.
“It’s like you’re there. [S]pudding [T]Instead of the harsh conditions typical of the season, it’s raining again, forcing players to manipulate their bodies and find their natural pitching method.
“(Before I went to the IL) I was definitely throwing differently to avoid elbows. So I think it’s good to feel free.”
“He loves to throw,” Martinez added. “I don’t know if he’s joking or not, but he always asks me, ‘Can we start?’
“I think he’s kidding, he’ll never know, but he was great, he was really great.
“To have a guy like that in our bullpen who can do that and really throw at high leverage, because that’s what he’s done for us and what he’s done well.
“It’s great to have a guy like that and be able to call on him to go out there and pitch on a regular basis. I’m really happy to have that guy and do a really great job.”
It’s good enough that the Nationals bring back Law (I hope that the club will become even more competitive) DC season?
