Washington Nationals news & notes: Pitching plans for Nats’ weekend matchups; Jackson Rutledge in 2024 + more…

Pitching plan:

Washington Nationals skipper Davey Martinez, who announced plans to start Patrick Corbin in Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener, provided details about his plans to start in the first weekend game of the spring.

Corbin is scheduled to start against the Houston Astros at the club’s shared spring training home (6:05 PM ET.Radio only via Nationals.com*), followed by Jackson Rutledge, Joan Adon, DJ Hurts, and Jordan Weems. Richard Breyer and Robert Gsellman come out of the bullpen as things progress in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“We’re going to do something a little different,” Martinez said when asked about his plans for the pitching staff for the opening game.

“Corbin is going to throw about two innings, 35 pitches, so is Root, so is Adon,” he told reporters.

Why did they decide to do something “a little different”? This is because all of the pitchers had powered up from winter practice and came to camp fully prepared.

“We did it where they only went one inning,” he explained. “But the reason for that is because they’re already over the limit. They’ve already prepared him in the bullpen with a pitch count of 45 to 50 pitches, so they can match him up against batters this way and he The idea was to have him throw 35 pitches for two innings.”

Not just for beginners. The relievers also participated in spring training fully prepared, so the manager is also planning to send them out.

“Again, they came to camp already throwing X amount of sides and bullpens.

“So they’re ready to play. They want to play against hitters.”

“I’m really proud of what they accomplished this winter,” he added. “…As far as preparing for spring training. They worked really hard to come into spring training ready.”

[ed. note – “ * = via the Nationals – ‘The game will also be televised on delay, airing later [on Saturday] MLB Network will broadcast the game without blackout restrictions starting at 10 p.m. ”]

Are you ready for Rutledge?:

Jackson Rutledge, 24, a 2019 first-round pick from Washington, has started 23 games and pitched 119 innings between Double-A and Triple-A in the Nationals’ 2023 system, totaling a 3.71 ERA and giving up 55 walks. (4.16BB/9) was recorded. ), 106 strikeouts (8.02 K/9), BAA .227, WHIP 1.27, (He started 12 games at AA Harrisburg and had a 3.16 ERA, and started 11 games at AAA Rochester with a 4.44 ERA.), he received the opportunity to pitch in the major leagues late in the season.

“We’re looking forward to him preparing well, making his debut and starting a few games in the major leagues before the end of the season,” general manager Mike Rizzo said ahead of Rutledge’s first start in the major leagues. Of the five starter spots available in the NBA, he is looking to train and fight for one. [2024]”

Rutledge started four games in the majors, allowing 24 hits and 15 runs in 20 innings (ERA 6.75, FIP 5.86), he had six walks and 12 strikeouts, and opposing batters posted a combined line of .304/.364/.519 against him.

The 6-foot-8 right-hander said he wants to prove something to himself by playing in the big leagues in late 2023.

“It just means I belong here,” Rutledge told reporters after his last game as a starter, against the Braves in Atlanta. Quoted by Mark Zuckerman of MASN.

“Even against one of the best batting lineups in baseball, I can do it. I can be successful. That gives me confidence moving forward.”

Nationals captain Davey Martinez spoke earlier this week about Rutledge, who impressed earlier this spring.

“Hey, dude. I loved the way he threw the ball,” Martinez said after Rutledge threw a raw BP.

“He worked really hard on his hip mobility to be able to pass a little bit faster, and his legs felt a lot better today, which is great. He throws more strikes that way.” Because he can.” So he threw the ball well and he threw strikes. His slider today was really good. So we’re excited for him. ”

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Martinez was excited to see Rutledge put into practice some of the things he was asked to work on during the winter.

“We want him to be clean, yeah,” the coach said. [for] he [to] It’s great for him to come into camp the way he came and it will only accelerate the process of him really getting ready for the season. ”

Menes understands that:

“Joey Meneses is the classic guy who puts runners in scoring position and hits in the big moments,” Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said of the 31-year-old slugger’s place this winter. He said this (Debuted in 2022 at the age of 30) will fit into the mix for DC in 2024 and beyond.

Meneses finished the 2023 season hitting 61-for-168 (.363/.396/.494) with runners in scoring position as pointed out by Rizzo above, and an overall .275/.321/.401 line. He hit 36 ​​doubles and 13 home runs. He played 154 games and had 657 at-bats.

Menezes’ power numbers weren’t overwhelming last year, considering he made his MLB debut in late 2022 and hit 14 doubles and 13 home runs in 56 total games, hitting 240 PA, but he As said, he had a clutch.

His manager wants to see more of the same from Meneses in 2024.

Photo credit: Adam Hagee/Getty Images

“For me, run production is what we’re looking for,” Davey Martinez said when asked about prioritizing hitting for power and driving in runs.

“Of course we want to see home runs. I love home runs. I always say, ‘Home runs are sexy,’ right? I mean, we all love this car, but he’s the one guy we’re counting on to drive it. A long time ago, I was watching the St. Louis Cardinals and there was one player who could hit home runs. It was Jack Clark. I saw Tommy Herr hit five home runs and score 106 RBIs. It was productive for me. I really feel like he can drive the ball, but don’t forget he’s driving the run for us in the middle of our lineup. ”

Martinez said Meneses adapted to a DH/run production role as things progressed last season and began to understand what the club needed from a slugger.

“A lot of it is Joey really trying to stay in baseball,” Martinez explained. He will move forward a little bit, but he understands that the middle of the field is where he needs to be.”