Hoover was vying for a spot in Washington's bullpen as a non-roster invitee, but a middling spring (4.76 ERA and 1.24 ERA in 5.2 innings) prompted the Nationals to send him to the minors to open the season. The veteran will provide bullpen depth in 2019.

Hoover made two appearances at the big-league level with the Brewers in 2018 but lost his spot on the 40-man roster and was later released from the organization shortly after serving up a walk-off home run against the Cardinals on April 10. The right-handed reliever took some time away from baseball after getting cut loose by Milwaukee but will try to get his career back on track with the Nationals. Hoover, who owns a 4.17 ERA and 9.3 K/9 across 285 career appearances in the majors, looks destined to open the season at Triple-A Fresno but should at least receive an opportunity to vie for a spot in the big-league bullpen this spring.

Hoover has opted to hit the open market after being designated for assignment and subsequently passing through waivers untouched. The 30-year-old allowed three runs on four hits and two walks across 1.1 innings with the Brewers prior to being cut loose. He'll look to latch on elsewhere as organizational bullpen depth.

Hoover passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment Wednesday following his disastrous relief appearance against the Cardinals. He'll serve as bullpen depth with Colorado Springs moving forward.