Martinez reminisces in return to Houston, provides injury updates

HOUSTON – Davey Martinez walked into Minute Maid Park this afternoon and couldn’t help but think about the last time he was here.

“Pretty cool,” the Nationals manager said. “It was four years ago, but it brings out good memories. I was sitting around with some of the guys who were here in ’19. There’s not many of us left. But we were reminiscing a little bit. It was fun.”

Indeed, there aren’t too many members of the Nats’ current roster or staff that were part of the 2019 World Series. Martinez is one of the last remaining, uniformed links to the franchise’s lone World Series title, so he found himself today sharing stories of that glorious late October week with young players who weren’t even in the major leagues at that point, let alone a part of this organization.

The next three nights, with the Nationals facing the Astros here for the first time in four seasons, offer everyone a chance both to reminisce about better days and to think about what it will take for this franchise to return to that kind of prominence.

There’s only one player on the active, 26-man roster who appeared in the 2019 World Series. And by sheer coincidence he takes the mound for tonight’s series opener.

Patrick Corbin is a shell of the pitcher who tossed three critical scoreless innings of relief in Game 7, bridging the gap between a less-than-100-percent Max Scherzer and closer Daniel Hudson. But the left-hander will forever hold a special place in Martinez’s heart for his above-and-beyond effort in that game.

What does Martinez remember most about Corbin’s performance?

“‘Can you go back out?’ ‘Yep.’ ‘Can you go back out?’ ‘Yep.’ ‘Can you go back out?’ ‘Nope,’” the manager said with a laugh, recalling the brief conversation he had with the lefty after each of his innings was complete. “I told all those guys, the starters, that we might use them in the bullpen. They were all ready. And he stepped up big-time.”

Five other players from the World Series roster are still with the Nationals: Victor Robles, Sean Doolittle, Tanner Rainey, Stephen Strasburg and Matt Adams. None is currently active, the first four attempting to return from injuries of various severity while Adams tries to earn his way back at Triple-A Rochester.

Robles is far and away the closest of the bunch to rejoining the team. The 26-year-old is starting his third rehab game for Rochester tonight, batting third and scheduled to play seven innings in center field.

Out since May 7 with a back injury, Robles is 0-for-4 with two walks and two strikeouts so far during his rehab stint.

Doolittle officially is healthy now, activated off the minor league IL and assigned to the roster at Double-A Harrisburg. The 36-year-old lefty has made seven total appearances with three different affiliates, surrendering runs in two of them.

Doolittle, attempting to return from elbow surgery last July, has tossed scoreless ball in each of his last two outings for Harrisburg, though, going 1 1/3 innings Thursday and then another inning Sunday.

Rainey took another step in his rehab from last summer’s Tommy John surgery, throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session in West Palm Beach, Fla. The 30-year-old has been targeting August for a potential return to the majors.