Clippard is currently penciled in as the Nats' eighth-inning option, although the team is receiving interest in him on the trade market, James Wagner of The Washington Post reports.

Drew Storen is positioned to close for the Nationals, while Clippard's cost in arbitration makes him a piece that the team might be willing to off-load to a club seeking a late-inning arm. If he ends up in the right situation, Clippard may receive an opportunity to close in 2015.

Clippard was tendered a contract prior to Tuesday's deadline.

Coming off a season in which he posted a 2.18 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10.49 K/9 ratio over 70.1 innings, he'll likely headed for a big award in arbitration if he doesn't come to terms with the Nationals. Clippard's been an indispensable part of their bullpen since 2009 though, and probably won't be going anywhere.

Clippard took the loss in Thursday's game, allowing two runs on two hits over just two-thirds of an inning.

Clippard allowed two two-out hits in the eighth inning including the winning run. The runs were his first allowed in seven appearances, and he now owns a 2.21 ERA and 1.00 WHIP on the season.

Clippard allowed an eighth inning Travis d'Arnaud triple, but left him stranded to pick up his 29th hold of the season on Tuesday.

He didn't get a chance at the closer job after Rafael Soriano spit the bit, but has still has another exceptional season as the Nationals' primary set-up man with seven wins, a 1.97 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 81:22 K:BB ratio in 68.2 innings. In a job that typically sees a lot of attrition, there's an argument to be made that Clippard has been the most valuable reliever in baseball since he moved to the bullpen in 2009.

Clippard was unavailable in Tuesday's game after working the past two days, MASN's Dan Kolko reports.

Drew Storen picked up the save Tuesday, but this may not tell us anything about the pecking order in the Nationals' bullpen, as Clippard was unavailable. Still, there's reason to believe that manager Matt Williams may prefer Storen in that role after Rafael Soriano was ousted earlier in the month. Clippard is a valuable weapon to come on in the middle of an inning, or to get more than three outs, whereas Storen fits more into a traditional closer mold of a three-out shutdown reliever.

Clippard was named by manager Matt Williams as a candidate to see save chances with Rafael Soriano removed from the closer role, Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com reports.

While Williams has opted against naming a new closer, Clippard seems like the clear favorite to see opportunities in place of the struggling Soriano, though Drew Storen and lefty Matt Thornton could also see chances depending on the matchups. Clippard, who saved 32 games for the Nats in 2012, has posted a 2.04 ERA this season and has held opposing hitters to a .147 average since the All-Star break.

Clippard, Drew Storen and Matt Thornton were all mentioned by Nationals manager Matt Williams as possible ninth-inning replacements for a struggling Rafael Soriano after Friday's game, the Washington Post reports.

Williams hasn't officially taken Soriano out of the closer role just yet, but indications are strong that the veteran reliever will get at least a temporary break from high-leverage use. If Williams makes the switch on Saturday though look for Storen, who only faced one batter on Friday, to get the nod.

Clippard blew the save opportunity Monday against the Diamondbacks as he allowed one run and two hits in one inning.

The Nationals regular closer Rafael Soriano blew a save Sunday and even though manager Matt Williams said he has not lost his job, Clippard was given the opportunity Monday. Although it was likely just because of Soriano's recent work load, Clippard did not come through Monday when he had a chance to maybe work his way into the conversation. Unless Soriano continues to struggle, Clippard will likely remain in a setup role.

Clippard tossed a perfect eighth inning Sunday, striking out two, to pick up his 25th hold of the season.

He's given up just one measly hit in seven shutout innings since the All-Star break, striking out eight. Clippard remains an elite set-up option for the Nats, but that success likely traps him in an eighth inning role even if something were to happen to closer Rafael Soriano.

Tyler Clippard has been added to the National League All-Star team.

It's not clear whose spot he's taking, but there are four NL starters Sunday that need to be replaced. There are others that are more deserving, but there's no doubt Clippard has had a great year, posting a 2.03 ERA with 53 strikeouts over 40 innings.

With Rafael Soriano needing the day off, Tyler Clippard struck out the side in the ninth for his first save of the year Monday against the Brewers.

It's Clippard's first save since he notched 32 in 2012. He has a 2.12 ERA while being used mostly as an eighth-inning guy this year.

Nationals manager Matt Williams announced Monday that Tyler Clippard will be his primary eighth inning reliever.

It's a little unusual to hear a manager announce their primary set-up man, but there you go. Clippard has been one of the game's best relievers in recent years and would be a natural alternative for the closer role if Rafael Soriano struggles or suffers an injury. Drew Storen appears to be third on the depth chart.

Tyler Clippard (back) threw a bullpen session Monday morning in Nationals camp.

Clippard took it easy for six days after tweaking his back last week. He should be fine for Opening Day.

Tyler Clippard (back) will resume workouts Saturday before throwing a bullpen session Monday.

Clippard has been held out of action the last few days because of tightness in his back, but it was a precautionary move and it shouldn't be an issue for him going forward. "I wanted to be out there, but they're not letting me," Clippard said Friday. "I just want be 100 percent, and they do, too. It's early. I mean, during the season, it would be nothing. They had to hold me down today. I wanted to get out there, and they wouldn't let me."

Tyler Clippard has been limited the last two days in Nationals camp due to back soreness.

Clippard tweaked his back earlier this week, but he's not worried about it. "It's just early in spring and I didn't want to push it," Clippard said. "I felt a little something, so I was like, why push it? No big deal." He'll open the 2014 season in a setup role.

Nationals and RHP Tyler Clippard avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.875 million contract.

Clippard asked for $6.35 million and was offered $4.45 million from the Nationals when arbitration figures were exchanged last month. The two sides settled about $475,000 north of the midway point. Clippard, 28, will serve as a setup man this year in Washington.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he hasn't had discussions with Tyler Clippard beyond a one-year deal, per James Wagner of the Washington Post.

Clippard still has another year of arbitration in 2015 before becoming a free agent, and it appears the Nationals aren't in any hurry to get a longer deal done. Clippard recently filed for $6.35 million in arbitration while the Nats offered $4.45 million, and the 28-year-old said the two sides will "see how it all plays out" in regards to a hearing. The right-hander is widely considered one of the best setup men in the game.

Tyler Clippard requested $6.35 million and was offered $4.45 million from the Nationals when arbitration figures were exchanged on Friday.

The 28-year-old right-hander is an integral part of the Nationals bullpen, and coming off another strong season where he compiled a 2.41 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 73/24 K/BB ratio over 71 innings. He'll continue to work in a setup capacity in front of Rafael Soriano.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Tuesday that he's not ruling out using Tyler Clippard at closer down the stretch.

Clippard has been the team's best reliever all season, posting a 2.01 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while striking out a batter per inning. With Rafael Soriano struggling, Johnson is considering other options. Clippard has yet to record a save this season, but he's worth stashing in case he sees some ninth inning time over the final month.

Tyler Clippard hasn't allowed a run in May.

Clippard is seventh in the National League with eight holds. He's collected three wins in 2013 and posted a 2.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 19/11 K/BB ratio over 19 appearances. The Yankee Clippard had a 6.33 ERA over six starts in the Bronx as a rookie in 2007. In the six years since, he owns a sparkling 2.83 ERA and 1.09 WHIP for the Nationals. It's time for a new nickname, though The National Clippard leaves plenty to be desired.