Doug Slaten has elected free agency.

Slated had been outrighted by the Pirates, but he'll instead search for another organization this winter. The left-hander put up a 2.77 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 10 appearances for the Bucs this season.

Pirates RHP Doug Slaten has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Slated was waived to create room on the 40-man roster for Oscar Tejada. He compiled a 2.77 ERA and 6/8 K/BB ratio over 13 innings with the Pirates, and will continue to serve as bullpen depth at the minor league level.

Pirates designated LHP Doug Slaten for assignment.

He was cleared to make room for the newly-claimed Oscar Tejeda on the 40-man roster. Slaten was recently optioned to the minors after posting a 2.77 ERA and 6/8 K/BB ratio over 13 innings.

Pirates purchased the contract of LHP Doug Slaten from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Slaten was rocking a 0.36 ERA in 25 1/3 innings for Indianapolis. The 32-year-old righty will act as bullpen depth while Juan Cruz deals with a personal matter.

Pirates signed LHP Doug Slaten to a minor league contract.

Slaten, who turns 32 in February, was non-tendered by the Nationals in December after posting a 4.41 ERA and 13/9 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings in 2011. He'll try to secure a bullpen spot during spring training.

Nationals non-tendered LHP Doug Slaten.

As expected. Slaten, who turns 32 in February, was limited to just 31 appearances this season due to ulnar neuritis in his left elbow, posting a 4.41 ERA and 13/9 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings. He was arbitration-eligible for the second time this winter.

Nationals activated LHP Doug Slaten from the 15-day disabled list.

Slaten hasn't appeared in a major league game since June 3 after getting a diagnosis of ulnar neuritis in his left elbow. He'll be available on Thursday night.

Doug Slaten (elbow) has begun a throwing program at the Nationals' spring training complex in Viera, Florida.

Slaten hasn't pitched since June 3 due to ulnar neuritis in his left elbow. He has had some stops and starts in his rehab, but is finally ready to go. However, there is no timetable for him to begin a minor league rehab assignment.

Doug Slaten (elbow) has begun a throwing program.

Slaten, who has been sidelined since June 4 with irritation in his pitching elbow, will need a rehab assignment before returning. He's still a couple weeks away.

Nationals placed LHP Doug Slaten on the 15-day disabled list with irritation in his left elbow.

Slaten has said he was healthy as recently as last evening, but the Nationals aren't buying it. Lefties have been teeing off against him this season, batting .321, while he has allowed 15 of 30 inherited runners to score. Righty Craig Stammen is taking his place on the 25-man roster.

Doug Slaten will be placed on the disabled list on Saturday.

It's unclear what his injury is, but manager Jim Riggleman said earlier on Saturday that he was worried Slaten was injured, and here is the proof. Craig Stammen will be recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take his roster spot. Stay tuned for official word on Slaten's injury.

Nationals manager is worried that Doug Slaten might be injured.

Slaten was surprisingly good for the Nats last season, 3.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 40 2/3 frames while holding left-handed batters to a .151/.235/.151 batting line. This year, though, while he's managed to post a 2.19 ERA, he has a 2.11 WHIP and left-handed batters are hitting .321 off of him. Slaten says he's fine, though, and his velocity has been there. It's likely just a regression to the mean, as Slaten's prior history suggests his 2010 season wasn't repeatable.

Nationals and LHP Doug Slaten avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $695,000 contract.

Slaten can earn another $5,000 if he reaches 60 innings this season and $12,500 more if he reaches 70 innings. The 30-year-old southpaw registered a healthy 3.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 40 2/3 frames last season for the Nationals while holding left-handed batters to a .151/.235/.151 batting line.

Doug Slaten has returned from his three-game suspension.

The Nationals reliever was handed the punishment for plunking Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez in an early-September incident that led to a benches-clearing brawl. "It had been a long time since I'd watched a game from the stands like a fan," Slaten said. "It's good to get the suspension over with so I can get back to work." He has a 3.22 ERA and 1.35 WHIP this season.

Doug Slaten will begin serving his three-game suspension Friday.

Slaten was unable to convince MLB officials to reduce his suspension for plunking Gaby Sanchez of the Marlins, so he'll be unavailable out of the Nationals' bullpen until next week.

MLB suspended LHP Doug Slaten three games for throwing at Gaby Sanchez during Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Not a big deal. Slaten's appearance Wednesday was his only one in the last seven days.

Doug Slaten was ejected from Wednesday's game for hitting Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez with a pitch.

The plunking was presumably in reaction to a brawl that took place near the mound in the sixth inning. Sanchez clothes-lined Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan during that scuffle. Slaten allowed one run.

Nationals purchased the contract of LHP Doug Slaten from Triple-A Syracuse.

In Tyler Clippard and Matt Capps, the Nationals have two of baseball's best relievers so far, but the rest of their bullpen hasn't been nearly as good. Slaten has been very effective to in Triple-A so far this season, with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP under 1.00 in 17 innings of work, so the Nats are hoping he can function as part of a bridge from their starters to Clippard and Capps.