As Nats wait for House to arrive, Tena seizing his opportunity

ATLANTA – As he rounded the bases in the top of the second Saturday night, having just connected for his first major league home run, José Tena’s smile could be seen throughout Truist Park. And when he crossed the plate and returned to the dugout, the Nationals’ 23-year-old rookie went right to Luis García Jr. and offered an even wider grin.

“I kept running the bases with a big smile on my face,” Tena said, via interpreter Octavio Martinez. “Thank God for giving me my first opportunity to hit my first home run.”

And thank García for providing Tena with a little extra motivation.

The Nats second baseman is only one year older than Tena, but he’s got 407 more games of big league experience and has taken his new teammate under his wing. And though Tena had been delivering hit after hit since joining the club earlier this month, García jokingly asked him Saturday when he was finally going to hit his first home run.

“I’m so proud of him,” García said with a smile as wide as Tena’s was after the homer.

One of three prospects acquired from the Guardians for Lane Thomas at the trade deadline, Tena isn’t as highly touted as left-hander Alex Clemmey or infielder Rafael Ramirez Jr. But he’s four years older than those two and was big league-ready at the time of the deal.

And given the opportunity to play for the Nationals this month as their regular third baseman, he’s showing the organization he can hit at this level. In 10 games, he’s batting .400 (14-for-35) with a double, a homer and six RBIs.

“I love the way he swings,” manager Davey Martinez said. “He stays back on the ball, uses his legs really good. He doesn’t try to do a whole lot, but he gets the most out of his swing.”

A versatile infielder who has far more professional experience at shortstop and second base, Tena has been learning third base on the fly for the Nats, who already have García and CJ Abrams locked into the two middle infield positions. It’s been shaky at times, and Saturday night saw Tena and catcher Keibert Ruiz let a routine foul popup fall right between them, narrowly avoiding a collision in the process. But he also made a diving stop of a sharp grounder down the line later that inning, suggesting he does have defensive ability.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to play every day,” Tena said. “I wasn’t able to last year (with the Guardians). I felt like I got some opportunities, but not like I am this season. I thank God for the opportunity to show what I can do.”

Whether Tena figures into the long-term plan here remains to be seen. The Nationals are waiting for top third base prospect Brady House to make his major league debut, whether it comes before season’s end or early in 2025. Until then, Tena should continue to get the chance to play.

And if he keeps hitting the way he has so far, he’ll make the decision tough on the organization.

“I definitely feel more comfortable (than I did two weeks ago),” he said. “I feel like I have a better idea when it comes to both hitting and the pitching side of it at this level.”