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Ross Detwiler's future with Nationals 'up in the air'

Brad Mills / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Ross Detwiler endured a turbulent 2014 campaign with the Washington Nationals, and the frustrated 28-year-old recently admitted he doesn't know what to make of his future with the organization that selected him in the first round of the 2007 draft.

"I don’t know," Detwiler told James Wagner of the Washington Post about his future. "It’s kinda up in the air. They didn’t really tell me anything last year. … (I was asked by a reporter) ‘What do you think of the competition in the rotation?’ I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And at that point, it felt the same as in years past. They didn’t think I could get the job done and we’re going to move on and try to find some of our younger guys."

Detwiler hoped to land a rotation spot in 2014 after making 13 starts for the Nationals one season ago, but the offseason addition of Doug Fister forced Detwiler to a relief role.

The 28-year-old pitched predominantly in low-leverage situations and crafted a 4.00 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP over 47 relief appearances. Despite his success out of the bullpen against left-handed hitters, Detwiler was omitted from the club's roster for the National League Division Series.

“I was extremely disappointed,” Detwiler said. “I know it was a team full of lefties and I thought matchup-wise we would have gone with three lefties if we were trying to match up. I guess they had a different plan.

"It was really tough to sit on the sideline and knowing I didn’t have a chance to get out there and watch us lose in the first round again. It was tougher to do that and knowing I couldn’t do anything to help.”

One source said that Detwiler's representatives have suggested the Nationals pursue a trade, if possible, though the club could opt simply to non-tender the veteran southpaw who's projected to earn $3.3 million through arbitration.

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