Washington Nationals news & notes: Nats wrap up spring with 3-0 win in D.C.

Rotation set:

“That’s exactly what we wanted to see, wasn’t it?” Davey Martinez asked rhetorically after his club closed out the spring schedule with a 3-0 victory. new york yankees at an exhibition game on Tuesday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Martinez was talking about Combine 7 ²⁄₃ He earned a scoreless inning from starters Trevor Williams and Mackenzie Gore, who piggybacked to make final adjustments before making his first regular-season start at the ballclub. What were you doing?

Martinez said he was happy to see both pitchers “hitting in the strike zone.”

“They were good,” he said after four scoreless runs and three scoreless runs from veteran right-hander Williams, who signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Nationals this winter. ²⁄₃ Gore’s scoreless innings, a left-hander acquired from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline last August. Gore returned to the underage mound, but did not start for the Nats in 2022. Injuring his left elbow shortly before his signing sent both Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres in exchange for a prospect package that included Gore. Abrams, shortstop CJ Abrams, outfield prospects James Wood and Robert Hassell III, pitcher Jarlyn Susana, and MLB bat Luke Voight.

“They were really good,” said his pitcher Martinez, who was followed by lefty Anthony Banda on the mound.¹⁄₃ IP) and right Thaddeus Ward (1 IP). “With Mackenzie, he needs to trust his fastball a little more. Deaf, but when he can throw a fastball like he does and throw it over the zone, it’s a really good pitch.

Gore threw 61 pitches, struck 38 pitches, walked two, struck out four, and gave up just one hit. He threw 48% of his fastball, 3 swings and he generated 7 call strikes, mixed with the slider (34%), on the pitch he had 5 swings and he called 2 he struck and went to curve his ball with a 10% chance. 8% changeup, 2 swing strikes on each ball.

According to Baseball Savant, Williams threw 40% four-seamer, 25% sinker, 15% slider, 10% curve, 10% changeup, and threw a total of 52 pitches in four scoreless games. One push for going out.

What about relief?

“We had to bring Vanda and Ward into the game to get them used to pitching here. They were both doing great.” Starting the season in the bullpen, Ward is Boston’s rule 5 pick. Red Sox He is slated to make his MLB debut when he first appears in a game, and should either stick with the Washington pens all season or be returned to the Sox.

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Martinez has yet to officially say that two relievers are on the roster for the season opener, as the club has yet to make an official announcement.

“Let’s just say they’re there for now,” he allowed.

The skipper, who is set to start his sixth season on the capital’s bench, gave reporters some fresh news, but Thursday’s opener will be two of three against Patrick Corbin, D.C.’s Atlanta. Eyes confirmed Josiah Gray lined up on Saturday and in the finale against Gore, the Braves on Sunday, before Williams made his debut in the 2023 series opener. Tampa Bay Rays on monday.

Turn of call:

Alex Cole hit his first home run of the spring in the second inning of Tuesday’s game to provide all the points the home team needed in a 3-0 win over New York.

Cole finished exhibition season 18 with a 56 batting average (.321/.403/.464) with five doubles, eight walks and 12 kicks in 23 games. The man, who hit a home run in his 35th game with the Nationals last season, came from Cleveland on waivers on his claim.

“He hits the ball really well,” Martinez said, summing up what Cole needs to do to be his best: “Chase.”

“When he gets the ball in the zone, we put the bat on the ball,” the manager explained.

“He’s the little vermin hitter he’s got his job at, and he can foul some balls, but he has to get the ball in the zone. He’s really good at it.”

Cole’s name came up again late in the game when Martinez was asked about points on the mound late in the game when Gore, 24, and 2022 first-round pick Elijah Green, 18, were in the outfield with James. I came. Wood, 20, the aforementioned outfielder acquired through a Soto/Bell deal with the Padres, offers a glimpse of a future where he could join the majors in D.C. if all three players do well. I will give it to you.

“It was so cool,” Martinez said of seeing Gore, Wood and Green together on the field at Nationals Park. “Just a minute. But I’m excited about the guys we have now, right? [Lane] Thomas, who I truly believe will be his breakout year, [Victor Robles]Well done this spring, made some adjustments, you have Alex [Call] and Corey [Dickerson] Yes, but it’s a good group. But those guys are up and coming. we meet them It was great to see them in the game. I thought Elijah did a really good job of taking the walks, but they looked pretty good there.