Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Miles Mikolas had been in line to start Tuesday, but after he allowed 19 runs (17 earned) in 12.1 innings through his first three outings of the season, the Nationals will instead deploy him in bulk relief behind Poulin with the hope that the arrangement yields better results. Poulin will be opening a game for the second time this season, after he previously tossed a scoreless frame March 31 against the Phillies. Like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh typically features two left-handed batters (Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe) in its top three lineup spots, so having the left-handed Poulin open the game could help the Nationals avoid falling into an early hole.
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Nationals' PJ Poulin: Will begin year in bullpen
Rotowire
Poulin has claimed a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.
The 29-year-old will be one of three left-handers in the Washington bullpen, joining Cionel Perez and Ken Waldichuk. Poulin looked good this spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 10:3 K:BB in 7.2 innings, but he may not see regular high-leverage work after producing a 3.65 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB over his first 24.2 big-league innings last season with two wins, a save and five holds in 28 appearances.
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Nationals' PJ Poulin: Secures first career save
Rotowire
Poulin struck out one in a perfect 11th inning Saturday to record his first career save in a 5-3 win over the Mets. He struck out one.
After Daylen Lile broke open a 3-3 tie in the top of the 11th with an inside-the-park homer, Poulin got the call in the bottom of the frame to face the Mets' 9-1-2 hitters, which included Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. The rookie left-hander didn't flinch, firing seven of 12 pitches for strikes and getting Soto on a called strike three to end it. Jose Ferrer had worked the eighth and ninth just to get the game to extras, and Poulin isn't likely to get more closing chances this season, but through his first 22.2 MLB innings he's delivered a 2.78 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB with two wins and five holds in addition to Saturday's save.
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Nationals' PJ Poulin: Heading to majors
Rotowire
The Nationals will recall Poulin from Triple-A Rochester, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
Poulin was claimed off waivers from the Tigers on Sunday and is poised to report to the big-league roster. The southpaw has collected a 3.38 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB across 42.2 innings this season at the Triple-A level.
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Nationals' PJ Poulin: Claimed by Washington
Rotowire
The Nationals claimed Poulin off waivers from the Tigers on Sunday.
The left-hander was added to Detroit's 40-man roster in early July but was designated for assignment Thursday. Poulin has a 3.38 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB across 42.2 innings this season at Triple-A Toledo. He'll likely report to Triple-A Rochester with his new organization but should have a good chance at making his MLB debut later on in 2025.
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Tigers' PJ Poulin: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Tigers selected Poulin's contract and optioned him to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.
Detroit placed lefty Sean Guenther (hip) on the 60-day injured list to clear up a spot on the 40-man roster for Poulin, whose contract contained an upward-mobility clause that would have allowed him to pursue opportunities elsewhere if the Tigers didn't promote him, per Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. Though he'll remain with Toledo, Poulin's presence on the 40-man roster will now make it easier for the Tigers to add him to the 26-man active roster when the team is need of a bullpen arm. The 28-year-old lefty has submitted a 3.72 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 54:14 K:BB in 36.1 innings over 29 appearances (three starts) for Toledo this season.
