Washington Nationals 2025 Season

THE LEAD

Unsurprisingly for a Mike Rizzo-run Nationals team, the bullpen has been a major weak link to open the new season. Every Nats reliever has either teetered on the cliff’s edge or fallen over it this season. Brad Lord failed to record an out in his MLB debut. Colin Poche has walked seven batters while recording just eight outs, and has an early ERA north of 20.00. Seven of the nine (all except Orlando Ribalta and Jorge López) are currently carrying WHIPs between 1.588 and 3.750. It’s been ugly.

Good teams, and teams that aspire to be good, as the Nationals keep telling us (but not showing us) that they do, have depth in the upper minors and flexibility with options to move these most volatile of pitchers around as needed. Four members of the current Nats’ bullpen (plus Brad Lord, who for the time being is now a member of the rotation) have options: Lord has all three, Jose A. Ferrer and Ribalta have two, and Jackson Rutledge and Eduardo Sálazar each have one remaining. Of course, there’s an argument to be made that Poche and Lucas Sims, who as free agent signings on major league contracts cannot be optioned, are so far the most unreliable and thus replaceable members of the pen. But hey, things could look totally different after facing the Marlins, Pirates, and Rockies over the next ten days.

Who are the other options? Well, ideally at some point soon Derek Law will resume throwing and then start a rehab assignment to work his way back from the 15-day injured list. Michael Soroka could return and either push Lord back to the bullpen or take that spot himself. Mason Thompson, who had his second Tommy John surgery last spring (he had previously had it in high school), should be starting a rehab assignment himself within the next month. Zach Brzykcy is also on the 15-day IL. Among active options, Shinnosuke Ogasawara, Andry Lara, and Cole Henry are all at AAA Rochester and on the 40-man roster, with Henry the most likely next call as long as he remains healthy. Andrew Alvarez, Daison Acosta, Carlos Romero, Jack Sinclair, and Marquis Grissom Jr. are all either at AAA or AA, although not on the 40-man. Any of those names could have a cameo on South Capitol Street this season.

 Washington Nationals 2025 Season

Game Recap

The Nationals were off (and in Miami) yesterday, and will open their weekend series against the Marlins this evening behind Mitchell Parker.

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 WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING

Speed Reads

📌 Keibert Ruiz’s Hot Start (Washington Post)

📌 MLB Teams Have Many More Coaches Now (The Athletic)

📌 When Will Shohei Pitch Again? (Yahoo!)