Washington Nationals news & notes: Stone Garrett; Jacob Barnes; + more from Davey Martinez…

Building Garrett:

Stone Garrett, who turned 28 in November, made his MLB debut at the University of Arizona before signing with the Washington Nationals as a free agent in November 2022. diamondbacks Participated in the 2022 campaign as a 26-year-old.

Garrett suffered a season-ending injury (left fibula fracture) Although he appeared in August, he managed to make a good impression on the Nats team by finishing the season with a batting average of .269/.343/.457, 17 doubles, 9 home runs, 82 K, and 26 walks in 89 games and 271 at-bats. Ta. along with his work.

“I challenged him early on to be a better outfielder, and he did it,” said Davey Martinez when the Nationals manager spoke about Garrett immediately after the injury.

“I asked him to put the ball in play more and he did that and drove in more runs.

“Everything I asked him to do, he went out of his way to do it. I love people like that.

“So, for me, he meant a lot, not just to me, but to this clubhouse, this locker room and the fans. He’s one of the fan favorites, I know, he meant a lot to me. It means a lot to us as well.”

“I thought he improved a lot,” GM Mike Rizzo said during winter meetings this December.

“We brought him there, actually, my idea was for him to play against left-handed pitchers and maybe as a defensive replacement in left field. And he took it. , ran with that, and Davey started putting him in there, right-handed pitcher, and did well there as well. He’s really trying to become an all-around player for us, I thought it could definitely be in my future plans.”

At that point, Garrett was practicing hard, his rehab was progressing well, and Rizzo and others in the front office were looking forward to seeing how he would bounce back from the injury.

“He’s coming along well, working out and rehabbing,” Rizzo said in December.

“We do all the measurements and the physical exam, and then we do the vision test, but are the strides the same? Is the stride the same? Is he even buying into it in the first place? And ultimately, he passes all these tests, when you have to move from rehab to workout, your instinct is to [at] Game speed often helps make it work. Then he will know when to do it without fear. ”

On the first day of spring training in 2024, Martinez spoke to reporters about taking Garrett slowly and allowing him to depart when needed.

“We’re going to continue to develop him. I hope he’s ready for opening day. He’s accomplished a lot,” Martinez said.

“We had to check all the boxes with him. It’s going to be progress, but we’re going to push him. He wants to be pushed. He’s hitting and He seems to be hitting really well. So we’re not going to hold him back. He’ll decide when he’s ready to go, and we’ll keep a close eye on him. So we’re going to progress every day and see where he’s at towards the end. [Spring Training.]”

Burns Sign:

Right-hander Jacob Burns signed a minor league contract with the Nationals on Friday.

Burns, 33, is a veteran of eight major league seasons and has played in 265 games in the majors, posting a 4.76 ERA and 4.13 FIP (264 of them are embossed.).

He played in 13 games in 2023. st louis cardinalsIn 13 games from late August to the end of the season, he had a 5.93 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 3 walks, 8 Ks, and a batting average of .316/.361/.474.

“We signed Jacob, and he should be here in the next day or so,” manager Davey Martinez said Friday afternoon in West Palm Beach, Fla., during his regular meeting with reporters.

“Another player that we feel should still have something left in the tank.

“We’re going to give him a chance. He’ll strengthen our bullpen. He’ll be here soon. I can’t wait to keep an eye on him.”

“Here’s a guy who was a contender. I think he’ll be a good fit as well. We’re missing an arm. We’re going to give him an opportunity in spring training and see what he can do.”

Adding depth makes sense given Mason Thompson’s elbow concerns. As the old saying goes, “You can never pitch well enough.”

“You can never pitch enough,” Martinez said, “especially when you start spring training.”

Cavalli 2024:

“I’ve seen him pitch a few times in the bullpen,” Davey Martinez said this week when asked about Cade Cavalli’s progress after Tommy John surgery last spring.

The 25-year-old Cavalli, the Nationals’ 2020 first-round pick (22nd overall), made his MLB debut with one start in 2022 before tearing his UCL while pitching in his right elbow in spring training last year. .

While happy to have Cavalli back on the mound, Martinez preached caution.

“We need to understand what situation he’s in. He had Tommy John. So there’s progress.”

Cavalli is eager to get back on the mound in the majors, but Martinez, his coaches, player development officials and pitchers all know they have to stick to the plan.

“He wants to go, but he understands what he has to do to get where he wants to be. What if he comes back? It’s going to be exciting,” Martinez said. Told.

Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images

“I think he’s progressing well,” Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told reporters. Quoted by Jessica Camerato of MLB.comhe said on the first day of spring training.

“His progress has been great. He’s a hard worker and a really good patient. He’s following protocol to a T, and our guys always know you have to pull him back a little bit.” He follows them to the edge and we pull him back a little bit. I think that’s what we want from our players. We want them. [champing] We want to pull them back and say, trust us enough to know what’s in your best interest.

“Look, he’s strengthened in every part of his body, including his elbows. I think he’s looking forward to teeing it up and getting ready to go. I’m sure it’ll be great to see him pitch.” I’m looking forward to it. I think he’ll help us a lot, he’s one of the starting pitchers we all covet.”

“He seems to be doing well,” Martinez said Friday. “I said, you look at him and think, ‘What was wrong with him?'” Right? He still has a long way to go, but he is making progress. He’s on the right track and I hope we get through this and he can help us this year. ”