First bullpen sessions include Cavalli's return, Susana's debut

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The first official workout of the spring saw 10 members of the Nationals pitching staff take the mound for their first bullpen sessions in front of the full coaching staff and assembled media and fans.

There were familiar faces (MacKenzie Gore, Trevor Williams, Jose A. Ferrer, Eduardo Salazar). There were semi-forgotten faces (Cade Cavalli, Joan Adon). And there were several new faces (Jarlin Susana, Evan Reifert, Tyler Stuart, Clay Helvey) were drew plenty of attention from observers getting their first look at that group.

Was there a common theme among all the throwers?

“What I liked today was that everyone looked like they were under control, throwing strikes,” manager Davey Martinez said. “Today, my message was very simple. Stay engaged. Keep where your feet are. And focus on throwing strikes. We’ve been very effective when we get ahead, and we’re going to continue to preach that.”

Perhaps the best sign of the progress the Nationals believe they’ve made in that regard: The famed “I don’t care how hard you throw ball four” signs that caused a minor stir last spring are nowhere to be found this time around.

“I think they got the message,” Martinez said. “It’s good. And today, that’s what I saw. A lot of guys staying under control. A lot of guys are at 70-80 percent and still (throwing) mid-90s. Some guys topping out at 100 already. But everything was under control.”

Only one guy topped out at 100 mph, as far as anyone could tell. But that one guy, Susana, was among the most-watched pitchers during this morning’s session.

The 20-year-old flamethrower, the youngest player acquired from the Padres in the Juan Soto blockbuster trade, is appearing in major league camp for the first time. At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, he looks like he belongs from a physical standpoint. And he put his electric arsenal on display for all to see today in his first bullpen session.

The Nats had starting catcher Keibert Ruiz behind the plate, working with Susana for the first time, evidence of their intentions to get their big leaguers comfortable with the young prospect now, in advance of his eventual D.C. debut.

The 100 mph fastball was nothing new for Susana, who routinely reached 103 mph last season at High-A Wilmington. Most important to Martinez, he didn’t appear to need much effort to reach triple digits today.

“Under control,” the manager said. “We talked to him about being at 75-80 percent. He let the last one go a little bit, and he was at 100.”

Also on the mound today was Cavalli, previously the organization’s top pitching prospect but now trying to finally make it all the way back from Tommy John surgery nearly two years ago. The 26-year-old enjoyed a normal offseason and comes to camp prepared to participate fully alongside his teammates.

The Nats, though, intend to take things slowly with their 2020 first-round pick. Not because he isn’t healthy at last. But because he’s missed so much time and will need to be on a limited workload this season. Martinez said the organization’s primary goal is to make sure whenever he starts pitching in games, he’s able to finish the season on the mound without being shut down.

“He looked really good,” Martinez said. “Again, very easy and very smooth. He’s under control. His mechanics were really, really good. I was excited to see him throw today, and he felt good about it.”

Another group of 10 pitchers headlined by Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker and Shinnosuka Ogasawara are scheduled to throw off the mound Friday. Ogasawara will be appearing in a Nationals uniform for the first time after signing a two-year, $3.5 million contract three weeks ago to become the first Japanese free agent to sign with the organization.