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Sean Doolittle, former UVA pitcher and reliever for the Oakland A’s, was traded to the Washington Nationals this morning.
Sources: #Nationals acquiring Doolittle and Madson from #Athletics for Treinen and two prospects.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 16, 2017
Doolittle will be reunited with Cavalier teammate Ryan Zimmerman in DC. Both players starred for Virginia in 2005 when Doolittle was also a slugger at first base. “The Doc” will help a Nationals bullpen which has struggled en route to the worst ERA in the major leagues. Doolittle was an All-Star closer for the A’s in 2014 with a 2.73 ERA and 22 saves but had two injury filled seasons in 2015 and 2016. Fully healthy now, he has a 3.38 ERA in 23 appearances for the A’s this season. Fortunately for the Nationals and local UVA fans, Doolittle is signed through 2018 with options for two further seasons.
On a personal side, Doolittle is very active on social media (Twitter handle: @whatwouldDOOdo) and has received national press for his charitable and social work.
Welcome to Washington, @whatwouldDOOdo! https://t.co/0yfpO9OLdt pic.twitter.com/T6V3wzTti7
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 16, 2017