Jonathan Papelbon, Nationals reportedly agree to release

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Former Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, who the club traded to the division-rival Washington Nationals just over a year ago, has asked for his release according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick: 

Struggling reliever Jonathan Papelbon has requested his release from theWashington Nationals, a source told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick on Saturday.

While Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post says that the Nationals initially planned to designate Papelbon for assignment, Papelbon requested the release, which may allow him to join another team quicker: 

Nationals came to Papelbon, told him they were planning to DFA him because they needed a roster spot, could not afford to send out others.

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) August 13, 2016

Papelbon asked to be released instead, since DFA takes 10 days to finalize. Nats agreed to take that route instead. Nothing official yet.

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) August 13, 2016

Papelbon, 35, has struggled in 2016, posting a 4.37 ERA while blowing a few saves prior to the league's August 1 non-waiver trade deadline. Papelbon became expendable after the team traded for All-Star closer Mark Melancon, who pushed Papelbon out of the closer's role.

Given that Papelbon is high-maintenance and isn't pitching well of late, it seems hard to envision him latching on with a contender. At 35, despite being just one year removed from being an All-Star, his future seems to be very murky moving forward. 

The Phillies dealt Papelbon, who is their franchise leader in saves, to the Nationals on July 29, 2015, acquiring pitcher Nick Pivetta. Pivetta went 11-6 with a 3.41 ERA with Double-A Reading this season, earning a promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday night.