Blazek was designated for assignment as the Nationals made three deadline-day additions to their bullpen Wednesday. He's allowed four runs in five big-league innings this season, striking out zero batters while walking five.

Dougherty's report suggests Blazek is still likely to join the team, though after Sunday's contest so the team can more easily make space on the 25-man roster. Blazek has posted a 5.54 ERA with Triple-A Fresno this season, though his 28:10 K:BB across 26 innings suggests he's deserved better results.

Blazek had been playing independent ball in the American Association, but he'll head to Triple-A Fresno after the Nationals bought out his contract. He last surfaced in the big leagues with Milwaukee during the 2017 season.

Blazek will look to restart his career in the independent ranks after he was unable to secure a minor-league deal heading into 2019. The 30-year-old has appeared in 109 career games at the MLB level but pitched exclusively in the minors in the Diamondbacks organization last season, accruing a 4.05 ERA and 18:5 K:BB in 13.1 innings between three affiliates.