NEW YORK -- The last time Sean Nolin took the mound in a Major League game was Oct. 3, 2015, tossing 80 pitches over a five-inning start against the Mariners. He walked off the field that night in Seattle in an A¡¯s uniform, and he didn¡¯t return to the big stage until Thursday afternoon at Citi Field when he got the nod to start Game 1 of the Nationals split doubleheader versus the Mets.

¡°[I felt] just excitement, to be honest. I wasn¡¯t nervous,¡± Nolin said. ¡°It was definitely all positive and good energy, so I was definitely happy with it.¡±

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The Long Island native threw three innings with four runs off eight hits, no walks and two strikeouts in the Nats¡¯ 4-1 loss. He began the day by fanning leadoff hitter Brandon Nimmo in the first at-bat, but later surrendered a three-run home run to him in the third. Nolin delivered 37 of his 51 pitches for strikes, while mixing in his fastball (57%), cutter (18%), curveball (10%), changeup (10%) and slider (6%).

¡°I would say the fastball was definitely the best,¡± Nolin said of the pitch, which maxed at 93.3 mph.

The Nationals selected the contract of Nolin, 31, from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday to add a left-handed arm who could stretch multiple innings during their rain-riddled series against the Mets, which included a suspended game, a postponement and a doubleheader.

Nolin had been standing out for the Red Wings this season, accumulating a 3-3 record with a 3.80 ERA over 11 appearances (nine starts). This recent success was a product of persevering through years up and down in Minor League levels and playing last season for the ??Seibu Lions of the Japan Professional League.

¡°He surprised me a lot,¡± manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday. ¡°They told me he didn't throw very hard, but he throws anywhere from 91 to 93 [mph], sometimes can top out at 94. But he has a good mix of pitches -- he throws curveballs, sliders, cutters, changeups -- so I'm interested to see him.

¡°He's pitched in the big leagues before. It's been a while, but he's worked due diligently to get back up here, and it's something that I know I'm proud of that he's stuck with it, and he's back in the big leagues now."