WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – What had become clear in recent weeks became official today: Patrick Corbin will start Opening Day for the Nationals.
It’s not exactly an inspired choice, considering the left-hander’s immense struggles the last three years. But under the circumstances, the team felt it was the right choice, taking pressure off younger starters Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore in favor of a veteran who won’t be fazed by the moment.
“I’ve said this before: I’ve never gotten down on Patrick,” manager Davey Martinez said. “We know what he can do at any given time. He worked really hard over the winter, came to spring training in great shape, had a plan and he’s been pitching well. So he’s going to get the ball Opening Day.”
Corbin will take the mound shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday to face the Braves, who are starting fellow lefty Max Fried. He’ll do so on the heels of the worst season of his career, and statistically the worst season by any major league starter in 2022.
Owner of a 6-19 record, 6.31 ERA and 1.697 WHIP last year, Corbin doesn’t exactly look the part of an Opening Day starter. But he’s had the assignment twice before, in 2018 for the Diamondbacks and 2022 for the Nats. He has seniority on the staff now with Max Scherzer gone and Stephen Strasburg unable to return from thoracic outlet surgery. And he has the support of his manager, which matters to the 33-year-old.