Greetings from Pittsburgh! Welcome to the latest edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter. This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights, brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato. When the Nationals selected Cole Henry in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of LSU, the right-hander was on the path to the Major Leagues as a starting pitcher. This season, Henry achieved that dream -- only it was in a different role. Henry was called up from Triple-A Rochester to make his big league debut on Sunday as a reliever in the Nationals’ bullpen. “It’s pretty incredible; I’ve been loving it,” Henry, 25, said on Tuesday from inside the visitors’ clubhouse at PNC Park. “... Being around guys that I came up with and seeing it all unfold for everybody, they've been really accepting, very generous to me, and everybody's been very nice. It's just been awesome. I have no complaints at all. I’ve just been having a great time.” |
Henry’s journey was impacted by thoracic outlet surgery in 2022. In Major League camp this spring, the Nats moved him to a reliever role. The plan was a success. “Obviously, I've had a lot of injuries in my career, so starting wasn’t really working out, as far as staying healthy,” Henry said. “Whatever it was about it -- I don’t know if it was the number of pitches or whatever -- but it was just something that I guess I couldn't really handle. “Then I moved to the bullpen, and my arm’s been feeling so much better. I’ve been able to bounce back really quickly. It’s been a little bit of difference in the routine, obviously, but it's been really fun. I'm willing to do anything to be in the big leagues and stay in the big leagues, so whatever they need.” |
Henry began the season on the Red Wings. In his first two appearances, he recorded four strikeouts in two scoreless innings. When righty reliever Orlando Ribalta (No. 29 prospect) was placed on the 15-day injured list because of a right biceps strain, the Nationals called up Henry to join them on their road trip in Miami. Henry struck out two batters and allowed only one hit in his debut inning on Sunday against the Marlins. He reached 96.2 mph with his fastball and delivered 11 of his 14 pitches for strikes. “It's obviously been an adjustment, but I really like it,” Henry said. “I think it's really cool that we mostly pitch some of the most important innings of the game. So I think it's cool that I could get the ball in any kind of situation where the game is teetering in the balance one way or another. I just want the ball in those types of situations, and I’m getting used to being able to be available basically every single day.” Henry was a standout starter his two seasons at LSU, including being named to the 2020 Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list for top amateur players. He was ranked as the Nationals’ No. 3 prospect in 2021 and ‘22 by MLB Pipeline. After making 34 starts (44 appearances) on the Minor League level, Henry is looking forward to adding Major League relief appearances to his resume. “I have to stay locked in. I have to be ready. So I think just the mental side of it’s a little bit different,” Henry said. “… You have this feeling in your stomach. As a starter, I'd have that once every five days … Now, every day I show up, I just have that feeling like I could get in the game.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Scholar athletes at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy are recognizing Jackie Robinson throughout this week. The Academy is incorporating classroom and on-field activities across all of its core programs. Later this month, from April 25 to May 2, the Nationals will auction game-worn jerseys from Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 to benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. “If I was to have Jackie Robinson in front of me, I would thank him for opening up the doors for guys like myself to give us an opportunity to do what I love to do,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He was an icon -- not only on the field, but off the field. What he meant to the sport, what he meant to just people in general, there's a lot of weight to that. So I thank Jackie Robinson and his family for what they went through for us, and here we are today. I'm passionate about the game, and he gave us all an opportunity to do that.” |
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Who was the first batter Mitchell Parker faced -- and struck out -- when he made his Major League debut last April 15 at Dodger Stadium? A. Mookie Betts B. Shohei Ohtani C. Freddie Freeman |
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Until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the Nationals are holding a flash sale deal on field-level tickets. The $34 package includes a field-level ticket to any 2025 Nationals regular-season home game along with a free hot dog and drink (or combination of concessions and merchandise up to $26 in value). Visit nats.com/April for more information. |
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A. Betts Parker fanned Betts on four pitches. |
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• April 22 and 23: James Wood oversized bobblehead giveaway • April 23: University of Maryland Day • April 24: A MINECRAFT MOVIE Night • April 25: Patriotic Series -- Military Appreciation Day; Pups in the Park; American University Day • April 26: NATS20 cap giveaway • April 27: Kids Opening Day; Screech's Birthday; Girl Scout Day |
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