Adon called up, La Sorsa optioned as Nats seek fresh arm

A Nationals pitching staff that was overtaxed the last few days will have a fresh arm for the final series of the first half: Joan Adon.

Adon was recalled from Triple-A this afternoon, giving the Nats someone who could churn out a good number of innings if needed out of the bullpen against the Rangers. Left-hander Joe La Sorsa was optioned to Rochester to clear a roster spot.

The events of the last two days made some kind of move inevitable. La Sorsa threw 51 pitches in two innings of relief Wednesday night, making him unavailable to return until at least Saturday. Jordan Weems threw 27 pitches that night, then returned to throw 28 on Thursday, likely knocking him out a few days as well.

The 1-hour, 43-minute rain delay in the second inning Thursday really threw a wrench into plans, with starter MacKenzie Gore unable to continue after throwing only 17 pitches. Manager Davey Martinez wound up using six relievers to cover the remaining 8 2/3 innings necessary in a 10-inning loss to Cincinnati.

Hence the decision to promote Adon, who was scheduled to start for Rochester on Thursday night but was instead informed he was to report to D.C. The 24-year-old right-hander has made 15 starts at Triple-A this season, going 2-5 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.578 WHIP.

“He gives us as much innings as we possibly need,” Martinez said. “We felt like we had to bring somebody up that could do that for us.”

A surprise member of the Nationals’ Opening Day rotation in 2022, Adon wound up struggling mightily in an extended stint in the big leagues, going 1-12 with a 7.10 ERA and 1.778 WHIP in 14 starts. He’s pitched well over the last month, posting a 3.44 ERA and 1.265 WHIP in six starts since May 31.

“He’s been attacking the strike zone,” Martinez said. “And his secondary pitches have been really good as well; he’s throwing them for strikes. If we have to use him today or the next day or two, we’ll put him out there. But the fact his fastball’s in the mid-90s still, and he’s still throwing it for strikes, and utilizing his secondary pitches, it gives us a guy with a little length who could go out there for us.”

La Sorsa heads back to Rochester after five erratic appearances for the Nationals. The 25-year-old lefty impressed in a couple of high-leverage spots against the Padres and Reds, but he also was roughed up for four runs in two of his last three outings, including Wednesday’s 51-pitch appearance.

“I liked him a lot,” Martinez said. “I mean, he’s a funky lefty. Forget about his numbers. He had very soft contact, a lot of bleeder hits. He can throw strikes. He’s reliable. He took the ball every day when we asked him. I don’t think it will be the last time we see him here.”

In certain situations, the Nats might be inclined to have Gore return to pitch sometime this weekend after his start Thursday was cut short so quickly after it began. Martinez, though, said he plans to use Mother Nature as justification to give his young left-hander an extra-long All-Star break, saving up innings he can use later in a season in which the organization is closely watching his workload.

“I thought about this when it was raining yesterday and we had that delay: It could be a blessing,” Martinez said. “Because I was wanting to give MacKenzie a longer break. So for me, we would’ve sent him back out there if (the delay) was less than it was timing-wise. But when we didn’t send him out there, last night after the game I thought to myself: Let’s use this to our advantage. We wanted to give him a little longer break coming back from the All-Star break. I think it will help him out a little bit and reset him a little bit.”