Washington Nationals news & notes: Nats skip Jake Irvin this time around; Dom Smith sits one day, homers the next…

Skip Arvin:

Jake Irvin got off to a solid start in his first two major games (1-0 in 10 games, 0.84 ERA, 4.02 FIP, .177/.333/.206 line-to-line average ²⁄₃ Number of innings pitched) But the Nationals’ 26-year-old starter has had a rough time in the last five years (20 years 0-3, 8.41 ERA, 6.71 FIP, .302/.408/.488 versus batters ¹⁄₃ IP), so the club decided to take him out of the rotation this time around.

“We have the opportunity to do something different and it’s nice to give him a break here,” captain Davey Martinez said before Washington’s series finale against the Braves in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon. explained.

“Ultimately, we’re going to have to do that for all the young players here in the near term,” the sixth-year captain added, adding that he’s keeping an eye on the workload of young pitchers.

“So I thought it was time for Jake to take a breather, as the holidays are coming up soon.

“But you know, he can come out of the bullpen. We just want him not to start, so he’ll be back in the rotation next time.”

What’s Irvin’s focus while working behind the scenes?

“He has worked with [Pitching coach Jim] Hickey talked about staying in baseball,” Martinez said. “Head, his direction too. No leaks to the front. So it’s going well. I saw his tongue picking up in the bullpen the other day, which is good. But, We’re just trying to straighten him out so he can hit the strike zone.”

Are there any positives for Irvin as he works to get back on track? I’m trying to refine it and move on to the next step.

“He did really well,” Martinez said. “He loves information. He gets out there and gets the job done. He is the man who had [Tommy John] surgery [in 2021]. We got him back, he is healthy and we need to take steps with him. But he is learning a lot. We will continue to work with him as he is learning what he needs to do to get better. ”

Dom Smith’s greatest hits:

Dominic Smith didn’t start Saturday against the Braves, his first appearance since April 28, but he ended up appearing in the sixth inning.

Before the game, Knots skipper Davey Martinez explained his decision to sit Smith down and take a breather…at last.

“That was the plan going into the series,” Martinez said about giving the guys on the bench as much at bat as giving Smith a rest. “I’m trying to get everyone involved. Give some of you some time off. It’s finally time to start getting warmer. Playing 162 games is tough, so I’m trying to keep them fresh and the rest of us. I would like to have the players of the league participate and have them at bat.”

Smith batted .280/.354/.350 in 38 games and 155 plate appearances during the break, batting 4 doubles, 1 home run, 14 walks, and 21 K.Only 5 hits in 31 games, .161/.212/.161 in 8 games) last week plus.

Martinez saw an opportunity for Smith to get some hard-earned rest.

“I had a nice air quality day watching this” [Thursday off] It’s kind of like, I thought I was here today to give him a day off, but I have another day game tomorrow. He plays every day and, as I said before, his defense has been incredible. he is hitting the ball He’s not moving the ball, but he’s hitting us big. But today I want to give him a day. ”

Smith went 0-for-2 in his two PAs on Saturday and 0-for-2 in Sunday’s start, but the 27-year-old, who pitched for the third time in the final game of the series, advanced yards and hit his second homer of the season. rice field(First time since April 29th) Relief pitcher Kirby Yates’ first 91 mph fastball hit middle middle. Smith hit a 444-foot ball into the right field to help the Nationals win 6-2, ending a six-game losing streak.

Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“It’s always great when you hit a home run like that and give us a bigger lead,” Martinez said after the game.

“So, like I said before, he’s been playing incredible defense, he’s been swinging the bat well, he’s been a little bit funky, but hopefully he got out of there today. But.”