Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Blake Treinen capped a perfect spring by earning the closer's role in a mild upset within the bullpen.Veteran Shawn Kelley entered spring training as the favorite for the ninth-inning role and phenom Koda Glover closed quickly, but the steady Treinen was virtually flawless. In five spring appearances, he posted an ERA of 0.00. The Nationals kicked the tires on veteran trade candidates, most notably David Robertson of the Chicago White Sox, but decided to let their existing relievers duke it out in spring training.Treinen, 28, went 4-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 73 appearances for the Nationals in 2016, finishing 17 games. His emergence was viewed as an overwhelming positive, perhaps factoring in the injury history of Kelley (multiple Tommy John surgeries) and Glover (pitching with a torn labrum in his hip). Kelley is expected to be used in a setup role as the primary eighth-inning reliever, which would limit strain of back-to-back game appearances on Glover.

Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Blake Treinen capped a perfect spring by earning the closer's role in a mild upset within the bullpen.Veteran Shawn Kelley entered spring training as the favorite for the ninth-inning role and phenom Koda Glover closed quickly, but the steady Treinen was virtually flawless. In five spring appearances, he posted an ERA of 0.00. The Nationals kicked the tires on veteran trade candidates, most notably David Robertson of the Chicago White Sox, but decided to let their existing relievers duke it out in spring training.Treinen, 28, went 4-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 73 appearances for the Nationals in 2016, finishing 17 games. His emergence was viewed as an overwhelming positive, perhaps factoring in the injury history of Kelley (multiple Tommy John surgeries) and Glover (pitching with a torn labrum in his hip). Kelley is expected to be used in a setup role as the primary eighth-inning reliever, which would limit strain of back-to-back game appearances on Glover.

RHP Shawn Kelley gave up two solo homers in the top of the eighth as the Padres tied the game at 6 on Sunday. The Nationals lost 10-6 as Jonathan Papelbon allowed four runs in the ninth. "Those pitches just weren't up enough. Not bad pitches, but just not to those two guys," Kelley said of the homers to Ryan Schimpf and Alex Dickerson.

RHP Shawn Kelley recorded his third save of the season despite allowing a home run to Martin Maldonado and a triple to Ryan Braun on Sunday at Milwaukee. It was the third home run of the season allowed by Kelley.

RHP Shawn Kelley got just the fifth save of his career Monday. He got the last five outs against the Chicago Cubs as regular closer Jonathan Papelbon was not available. Kelley saw his ERA drop to .270. Kelley also made a nice play at first base on a feed from Ryan Zimmerman in the ninth. "Very athletic," said manager Dusty Baker.

RHP Shawn Kelley had not allowed a run in his first 19 outings. But on Tuesday, he gave up a two-run homer in the ninth to Eric Campbell in a 7-4 win. Kelley now has an ERA of 1.13.

RHP Shawn Kelley retired five batters without giving up a hit or run in the first game Saturday as his ERA remained at 0.00. "I used a lot of fastballs," he said. "We are getting the outs Dusty (Baker) wants us to get. We all feed off each other" in the bullpen.

RHP Shawn Kelley has thrived in his first season with the Nationals. He did not allow a run in his first 16 outings over 11 2/3 innings, giving up just nine hits. "He is a guy I did not know much about," said manager Dusty Baker. "He has done a good job for us."

RHP Shawn Kelley signed a three-year deal with the Washington Nationals on Friday. Last season, Kelley had a 2.45 ERA along with a 1.09 WHIP.

RHP Shawn Kelley and the Nationals reportedly were closing in on a three-year deal Thursday. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick cited sources saying the deal would be worth between $15 million and $16 million.Kelley had a 2.45 ERA in 51 1/3 innings with the Padres last season. The Mariners and Diamondbacks also made offers to the reliever.

Kelley (forearm) threw a 20-pitch simulated game Friday and expects to be ready to return Tuesday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Interim manager Pat Murphy said afterward that Kelley's "fastball command is not quite there, but he's healthy." A forearm strain has sidelined Kelley since Sept. 1, but if he makes it through one more bullpen session Sunday, he should be available for the Giants series next week.

Kelley (forearm) began a throwing program Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Kelley will likely throw bullpen sessions over the next couple of days before tossing live batting practice as he attempts to work his way back from the forearm issue. It's possible he could return to the Padres' bullpen at some point during the weekend.

Kelley (forearm) is expected to miss two or three more days, the Associated Press reports.

It was initially feared that Kelley's strained forearm would cost him the remainder of the season, but Wednesday's MRI revealed nothing severe. The Padres will have Kelley rest up a few days before possibly turning back to him at some point during their weekend series against the Dodgers.

Kelley left Tuesday's game with a strained forearm and could miss the rest of the season, MLB.com's Bill Center reports.

He is set to get an MRI Wednesday, but the injury, which forced Kelley to leave the mound after throwing a warm-up pitch, is believed to be quite serious. Jon Edwards was called up from Triple-A to help bolster the Padres' bullpen down the stretch.

Kelley left Tuesday's game with an injury before even throwing a live pitch, the Union-Tribune's Dennis Lin reports.

He went out to warm up in the seventh inning and then hurt himself on a warm-up pitch and immediately walked off the field. These are often the scariest pitcher injuries, as it often means something is really wrong. More information should be available Wednesday.

Kelley struck out the side in the seventh inning and picked up the win in relief Wednesday against Atlanta.

Working in his typical seventh-inning role, Kelley was the beneficiary of the Padres' offense breaking a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning. Outside of leagues that reward holds, Kelley's value is limited to that of an effective staff filler, as he's posted a 50:10 K:BB along with a 2.70 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 43.1 innings this season for the Padres.

Kelley (calf) was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Kelley will reclaim a spot at the back of the San Diego bullpen, sending Nick Vincent back to Triple-A El Paso.

Kelley (calf) has rejoined the team and is likely to be activated Friday.

After pitching two scoreless innings for Triple-A El Paso in a rehab assignment on Monday, Kelley will be activated off the disabled list. Kelley has appeared in six games and pitched 5.1 innings for the Padres this season, posting an ERA of 10.13 and earning two losses in that time.

Kelley (calf) worked two scoreless innings at Triple-A El Paso on Monday and is slated to pitch again Wednesday, Dennis Lin of the Union-Tribune reports.

Kelley struck out two batters and surrendered one walk over his two innings of work Monday. Barring a setback in his next outing, Kelley will be eligible to be activated off the disabled list Thursday.

Kelley will make rehab appearances with Triple-A El Paso UT San Diego reports.

Kelley went to the disabled list with a strained left calf and made one appearance with High-A Lake Elsinore in which he pitched one scoreless inning. He struck out two batters and walked one. Kelley is expected to pitch both Monday and Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso. He is eligible to be called up as early as Thursday for the Padres' series with the Diamondbacks.