Washington Nationals news & notes: Darren Baker starts in Wrigley; goes 3 for 4 + more…

Wrigley’s Baker:

Nationals manager Davey Martinez told reporters in New York, where Washington lost its third straight game to the Mets, that Luis Garcia Jr. had soreness in his right wrist after swinging in Game 2 of the series at Citi Field.

“After his last swing he said he had a little bit of pain so we took him out just to be safe and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” the manager said.

“He was in pain earlier in the year, and it subsided,” Martinez explained the next day, “… and then he started to get sore again over the past week. He took one swing yesterday and said he felt pain, so we got him out of there.”

Prior to last night’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, manager Martinez said Garcia was still an issue and opted to use Darren Baker in his first start since arriving in the majors.

“Darren Baker is going to start at second base today, which is exciting. Let’s get him in there. He pinch-hit for a hit yesterday, so let’s give him a couple at-bats today and see how he does.”

Baker’s hit in the final game against the Mets gave him two hits in five at-bats in the five games he has played since being added to the expansion roster earlier this month.

“There are no charity call-ups in this game. Roster spots are too valuable to do anything for him,” general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo told D.C. Sports Junkies 106.7 the FAN when the Nationals called up Baker after selecting the now 25-year-old son of former Nationals manager Dusty Baker in the 10th round of the 2021 draft, four years after selecting him in the 27th round in 2017.

“This kid has proven himself at every level and played great at Triple-A for almost two seasons,” Rizzo said. “So he’s now eligible to put on a major league uniform. It was fun to call Dusty and tell him his son is coming to the big leagues.”

This season, Baker appeared in 112 games and 483 at-bats with Triple-A Rochester, batting .285/.348/.340 with 20 doubles, 38 stolen bases (43 stolen bases), 43 walks and 91 strikeouts. Over four minor league seasons, he hit .286/.348/.354 in 346 games.

Photo: Quinn Harris/Getty Images

“I’ve known the kid for a long time and he’s got great makeup and he’s a great kid,” Rizzo said.

“Also, he knows how to play baseball. He has a high baseball IQ, is a good runner and steals bases.”

“He’s a contact hitter who can play multiple positions for us and a guy we think will play a big role in our future.”

Manager Martinez spoke about the advice he gave to pitcher Baker, who was making his major league debut.

“I told him, ‘Stay on your feet, understand what you’re trying to do on each play, stay on top of the situation and have fun.’

“He’s getting his first opportunity to start in the major leagues here, which is really cool.”

Although he had sporadic playing time during his first few weeks in the major leagues, playing a full game in the major leagues is difficult.

“Different situations arise during the game,” Martinez said. “You just figure out what you want to do in the moment. He’s a good baseball player. He understands baseball. He grew up in a baseball family. I want him to just go out there and have fun. Don’t put pressure on him. Just go out there and help us win games.”

Baker, born in 1999, spent his childhood at Wrigley Field during Dusty’s time as manager of the Cubs (2003-2006), so it was a happy coincidence that he got to start his first game in a stadium he knows so well.

But it was just a coincidence, Martinez said. “It just happened that way.”

“Last night Lewis said he was still sore, so I said, ‘Hey, Darren’s going to play second base today.'”

“So we wanted to give him a chance. If Lewis doesn’t improve, we might use Baker at second base against right-handed pitchers.”

Baker recorded his first multi-hit game in major league baseball with three hits in four at-bats, one double and one run in the Nationals’ 7-6 loss to the Cubs in the opening game of the season.

“[Baker] “I’m not afraid,” Martinez told reporters after the game.

“Like I said, he’s a good baseball player. He’s going to give it his all every day.”

“He knows his stuff really well,” the manager added. “He didn’t try to do too much, he kept his eye on the ball, he hit a couple of balls and the other one was really good. It was great to watch.”