Williams, Davies give Nats options for rotation, bullpen

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals have two go-tos for closers and a handful of previously scarce left-handers for their 2024 Opening Day bullpen. What is still to be determined in camp, though, is a long reliever.

Washington has leaned on that role in the past, and it is front of mind at Spring Training.

“It’s nice to have that bridge guy who you could put in and be able to get five outs, maybe go in there and pitch two innings,” manager Dave Martinez said between Games 1 (a 9-4 loss to the Astros) and 2 (a 4-1 loss to the Marlins) of Saturday’s split-squad action. “Especially when your bullpen’s been beat up a little bit, you have a guy that can stretch them out a little bit.”

In an ideal situation, starters would pitch deep enough into each game that relievers are called upon for a short, efficient outing. But even though the rotation was reliable last season and tied with the Blue Jays for the fewest starters tabbed (eight), there were times when relievers were tasked with covering significant innings. Three who did so at points last season -- Cory Abbott, Paolo Espino and Andrés Machado -- are no longer with the team.

“We have options. We have guys that have done it before,” said Martinez. “[Jordan] Weems can get four outs. Robert Garcia has got us four, five outs. [Non-roster invitee Derek] Law’s done really well so far this spring -- he’s a guy who can, depending on how things go, help us out in that role as well.

“We’re looking at all kinds of things right now. There’s really nothing set in stone as far as that bullpen, except for the two guys in the back end (Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey). But we’ve got a lot of really good potential guys that can help us.”

Before determining the bullpen, the Nationals will finalize their starting rotation. Of the starters returning from last season, right-hander Trevor Williams has experience pitching in the rotation and out of the bullpen. Prior to making 30 starts last season, he had a dual role with the Mets (in 2022, he recorded nine starts and 21 relief appearances).

Righty Zach Davies has been in the starting mix during camp, too. The nine-year veteran signed a Minor League deal with Washington after being a starter for all 200 of his career games. But if there are no spots available in the rotation, he could be an option to provide length out of the ’pen.

“Right now, we’ve got to look at who will be our five starters and then we’ll work from there,” Martinez said. “We’re trying to get guys ready, and then we’ll fill the roles in as we go along.”

Even when the Nationals pinpoint a long reliever, they still expect their starters to pitch deeper into games than they did last season. Having a go-to out of the 'pen is a good option to have in a pinch, but the Nats don’t intend to rely on it.

“The plan is, like I always say, for these guys to get 21 outs for us and then we’ll work from there,” Martinez said. “Look, I don’t believe in guys going two times through the order. I want these guys to pitch, and if they’re doing well, they’re going to stay out there. If we feel like they’re capable of getting some more outs for us, I want to leave them out there. That’s what starters are for. If not, go get 15 one-inning guys,” he said, laughing, “and then go for it, right?

“I want these guys to go out there and pitch and get big outs and be in high-leverage situations where they know how to get outs. But with that being said, we’ll have a pretty strong bullpen to back those guys up.”