Nats map out schedule for seven rotation candidates

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – With 11 days to go in spring training, seven starting pitchers competing for five jobs and a rare, cross-state, overnight trip looming, mapping out the Nationals’ rotation schedule is no simple task for manager Davey Martinez and pitching coach Jim Hickey. They finally settled on a plan this morning, one that takes all of those factors into consideration.

MacKenzie Gore is starting this afternoon’s game against the Astros. It’s only his second official start of the spring, but the left-hander has still been throwing every five days, whether on a back field against minor leaguers or in a simulated game against teammates.

While Gore faces Houston inside CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, Trevor Williams is facing minor leaguers outside the stadium. The veteran right-hander, who Martinez confirmed this week will open the season in the rotation, has already made three Grapefruit League appearances.

DJ Herz will take the long bus ride from West Palm Beach to Port Charlotte on Thursday morning and then start that afternoon’s game against the Rays. Herz, who is competing for the fifth starter’s job, has looked shaky so far in three Grapefruit League outings, walking seven while striking out only three in 6 2/3 innings.

Jake Irvin’s turn comes up Friday, but the right-hander will stay back in West Palm Beach and face minor leaguers instead of traveling to North Port to face the Braves. That makes Friday’s game a bullpen game for the Nats, with a host of relievers set to pitch one or two innings a piece.

The Nationals return home for the weekend, and it will be Mitchell Parker starting Saturday against the Mets. Parker, coming off a solid outing against the Marlins, is trying to make his case for the No. 5 starter’s job. So is Shinnosuke Ogasawara, who has labored so far in four Grapefruit League starts. The Japanese left-hander will face minor leaguers Saturday, trying to build up his pitch count.

Michael Soroka then rounds things out Sunday when he faces the Rays in West Palm Beach. The right-hander was sharp in two Grapefruit League starts to date and was again in fine form Tuesday when he pitched a simulated game while the rest of the team was off.

There’s still time for things to change, but as it currently stands, Gore is on a five-day schedule that lines up with March 27 against the Phillies, with Irvin lined up for the season’s second game.

Is Martinez prepared to name Gore his Opening Day starter yet?

“I am not yet prepared to say that,” he responded with a laugh. “Let’s give it a little bit more time. He’s looked really good, though.”