The Washington Nationals are now in their final rotation starts in Grapefruit League games starting today with Jake Irvin on the mound. That tells you that there are only five games remaining in Florida for Spring Training.
Today’s game will be a 1:05 pm EDT start time against the Cardinals in Jupiter. This game will be televised on MASN and on Cardinals radio via the MLB app.
It looks like a near-lock that Colin Poche will make the Opening Day roster. He would take the last spot on the 40-man roster unless general manager Mike Rizzo makes a waiver claim, free agent signing, or a trade before then. The offseason/preseason spending for this season on new players is at $49.1 million right now. Poche would push the Nationals over that $50 million budget that we reported.
Here is a look at the bullpen locks that we have:
1. Kyle Finnegan
2. Derek Law
3. Lucas Sims
4. Colin Poche (NRI)
5. Jose A. Ferrer
6. Jorge López (if healthy)
The remaining names for the final two bullpen spots are (A-Z): Brad Lord (NRI), Orlando Ribalta, Jackson Rutledge, and Eduardo Salazar.
In these final 8-days until Opening Day, there is a lot going on before Opening Day and the final roster reveal which usually goes official in the morning on Opening Day. This year we get the new City Connect jersey reveal on Sunday morning that is going to be an event with Ryan Zimmerman and DC Mayor Bowser arriving on Clydesdales and the reveal begins at the Center Field Gates between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM. The next day, on Monday, is an exhibition game against the Orioles then the Nationals will host their annual charity Gala at The Wharf.
The Nationals are at 12-11-1 in Grapefruit League play. Today’s probable starters Jake Irvin against Steven Matz.
Last week, manager Dave Martinez was asked about who would be his fifth starter which appears to be a competition between DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker at this point. There might not be enough time for Shinnosuke Ogasawara to show what he has. Let’s look at ERA and WHIP for each: Herz 6.52/1.970, Parker 3.65/1.220, Ogasawara 7.56/2.520.
With the competition for the starting rotation whittled down, it looks like Parker is the frontrunner — but Martinez won’t name that 5th starter just yet. In fact Ogasawara will get one more start this week in a Spring Training game after he pitched last week in a game on the backfields.
“Some of these guys, I want to see them play multiple positions, in case in-game something does happen, we know he can do it. I don’t want to spring it on him. When we signed him, we talked to him about playing multiple positions. This is just part of getting him out there in spring before we leave, and getting him accustomed to playing some left field.”
— Martinez said
RHP Zach Brzykcy has been dealing with a quadricep tendon issue, and he wasn’t projected to make the Opening Day roster prior to the announcement of his injury. We have our first Spring Training injury that will result in an IL move as Andres Chaparro injured his oblique and he will start the season on the IL. We learned today that Jorge Lopez, who hasn’t pitched since March 10, is dealing with a left hip issue. Martinez expects Lopez back shortly and to be ready by Opening Day.
Brad Lord pitched in his first back-to-back game of Spring Training and put up a zero in his appearance, although the inherited runner on-base did score.
“You know what I liked? He didn’t lose anything on his fastball after going back-to-back. He was 95, 96, 97, which is great.”
— Martinez said
Here is the 40-man roster as well as a list of the NRI players you will be seeing. As you also had been seeing, players from Minor League camp have been subbing in late to get some action.
Prior to today’s game, the Nationals made some major cuts from big league camp
- RHP Clay Helvey
- 3B Brady House
- OF Stone Garrett
- OF Andrew Pinckney
- OF Robert Hassell III
- INF Trey Lipscomb
That basically puts to rest any thoughts of both Clay Helvey and his 0.00 ERA, and the red hot Hassell (.370 BA, .951 OPS) of making the Opening Day roster.
There are 8-days until the Opening Day, and here is your lineup:
