Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
Pitchers and catchers report today to the Washington Nationals Spring Training camp at the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. This camp already feels different from any other camp. Even before the official opening of camp, a source told us that there is already pitchers throwing live BP to Nats’ hitters. For the first time since the Expos relocated to Washington, D.C. in 2005, the team simultaneously has a new President of Baseball Operations, Paul Toboni, a new manager Blake Butera, and a new GM, Ani Kilambi. The team even has a new President of Business Operations in Jason Sinnarajah. Usually the only time you would see this is when there is a change of ownership. That was not the case here.
With new beginnings, there brings new hope. There were three impactful trades this offseason, a Rule-5 acquisition, several waiver claims, and one MLB free agent signing for over the league minimum. And as I was writing this article, a source messaged me that the Nats are in talks with Miles Mikolas, a free agent pitcher. Let’s see if this happens as Toboni has been trying for weeks to acquire MLB pitching. He made no secret about that.
These are the pitchers and catchers set to report today to West Palm Beach at the Nats facility at the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches:
Count them and you have 29 pitchers, and six catchers in total. You have a few rehabbing pitchers with DJ Herz, Jarlin Susana, Travis Sykora, and Trevor Williams. You hope the other 25 pitchers are ready to go. And of great mention, Sykora had his first throwing session yesterday as he works back from his TJ surgery last year.
Normally, we could give your an accurate pulse on the starting rotation at this point in time of Day 1 of the preseason, and besides saying Cade Cavalli, Foster Griffin, and Jake Irvin, we couldn’t say for sure as to the other two names who will make the starting rotation for the Nats.
The same goes for the bullpen. Will Brad Lord be in the rotation or the bullpen? What about Mitchell Parker? We have Clayton Beeter, Cole Henry, and Jackson Rutledge as three locks. Then there is the curious case of that Rule-5 pickup, Griff McGarry. The rules are clear that he either makes the MLB roster or has to be offered back to his departing team of the Phillies. So there you have it. Other relievers with a good shot at snagging bullpen spots are two lefties in PJ Poulin and Richard Lovelady. That gets you much closer to eight bullpen arms.
Even the catcher’s spot is up in the air. The team’s highest paid position player is Keibert Ruiz, but will Toboni keep him based on his contract? What about Harry Ford, the team’s top catching prospect? Then there is Drew Millas who had a very encouraging 2025 season before his broken bone in his hand. Riley Adams is off the 40-man roster, and the team brought back Tres Barrera as depth. Also in camp as an NRI is the team’s second highest rated catching prospect, Caleb Lomavita, who should start the season in the minor leagues.
The other situation as mentioned is the chance Toboni adds a player to the active roster. That could change everything.
