Washington Nationals news & notes: Patrick Corbin not walking folks; Joey Gallo + more

Starter talk:

Patrick Corbin pitched for the second time this spring on February 29, starting with 41 pitches and 32 strikes, striking out four batters and allowing three hits in three scoreless innings.

Corbin pitched eight innings (20% batting average) in the Grapefruit League and had four strikeouts, including one hit with a cutter. The 34-year-old southpaw tried to build his pitch for the 2024 season, his final year in the league. 6-year/$140 million contract with DC

“I’m happy so far,” Corbin said afterward. Quoted by Mark Zuckerman of MASN, When asked about the cutter, he said:

“I think the movement and location are pretty good. I hope that as I continue, my tongue will improve little by little (Today’s average speed was 85.5 mph.).

“But overall I think it’s pretty sharp and I’ve been finding that pitch so far, so I’m happy with it.”

Corbin threw a 34% sinker on outs (After throwing 41.6% of the time last season, he), slider (22%), four-seamer (17%), and changeup (7%).

The 34-year-old veteran started No. 3 on Wednesday, starting with seven consecutive outs for the southpaw, allowing a double and a two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning, but retired the last five batters he faced. He threw 47 percent sliders, 19 percent cutters, 17 percent fastballs, 15 percent sinkers, and 9 percent changeups on 47 pitches and 37 strikes.

Mr Corbyn told reporters: Quoted by MASN’s Bobby Blancohe thought banging the zone would lead to some quick outs:

“I think when I throw strikes, it forces them to swing, and I can mix things up. I mixed in a slider and a cutter and a fastball well. And threw a changeup early. I mean, It’s a great combination of everything.”

Although the home run came off a cutter he left to a batter he wasn’t familiar with, Corbin said he was happy with his progress on the field.

“I’ve had some success with the cutter in camp right now, so I’m looking forward to using it.”

up to 8 ²⁄₃ Corbin is not allowed to walk this spring.

“It’s great,” Martinez said of Corbin’s lack of walks. “He’s starting to get the cutter, changeup and fastball combination. It’s looking good.”

Tight quads:

Joey Gallo missed a few games last week due to tweaks to his left quadriceps, but told reporters it wasn’t a big concern for him.

“It hurts a little bit and it feels a little tight,” the 30-year-old slugger said. Quoted by Mark Zuckerman of MASN last week.

“If it’s the season, we don’t even have to talk about it,” Gallo explained. “But obviously in spring training, you’re just always being cautious. I’m not worried at all.”

Photo by Rich Story/Getty Images

“I’ve been playing well with it,” he added.

“Just take a few days off. It’s still early in spring, so you don’t want to do anything stupid, right? It’s very preventive.

Obviously, I’m out there practicing and doing everything. He will take a few games off and then come back. It’s nothing to worry about at all. ”

“He’s at about 75 percent,” coach Davey Martinez said. A quote from MASN’s Bobby Blanco last weekend..

“So I told him, ‘Hey, look, there’s no reason to push you right now.’

Martinez told reporters in West Palm Beach that he hoped Gallo would be back Monday, but the game was rained out. Tuesday was a day off, giving the veteran a few more days off.

Gallo was not in the Nationals’ lineup for Wednesday afternoon’s road game against Miami.

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