Bleier pitched in the majors from 2016-2023 and made appearances for the Yankees, Orioles, Marlins and Red Sox. The 37-year-old retires with a 3.27 ERA and 187/54 K/BB over 330 1/3 professional innings.

Bleier signed a minor-league pact with the Nationals, and the 37-year-old was able to opt out of the contract by May 15 if he wasn’t promoted to the major-league roster. He posted a 4.32 ERA over 15 appearances with Triple-A Rochester, and he’s now free to sign with another team, but another minor-league contract is all but assured.

The veteran struggled in 30 2/3 innings for Boston in 2023 before being DFA’d in August, but he has a career 3.27 ERA in 335 major-league appearances over eight seasons. The Nationals already have a few other lefties competing for bullpen spots, so Bleier will join that competition.

After being designated for assignment by the Red Sox last Monday, Bleier signed with the Cubs on a minor league deal. The veteran left-hander has a 3.27 career ERA in 335 major-league appearances but had just a 5.28 ERA in 30 2/3 innings for Boston this year. The Cubs will obviously be hoping he can find his career-norm levels in Triple-A Iowa before giving him a shot at big league innings.