New infield gets first game together; Wood resumes outfield work

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals’ second game of the exhibition season provides a first opportunity for the team’s new infield to work as one unit.

Today’s lineup against the Mets features returning shortstop CJ Abrams and second baseman Luis García Jr., plus new first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and third baseman Paul DeJong. It’s a quartet club officials believe could work extremely well together.

“We should be able to catch the ball,” manager Davey Martinez said. “And I’m looking forward to our pitchers getting on the mound and watching those guys work.”

The Nats knew they were getting a premier defensive first baseman when they traded reliever Robert Garcia for Lowe (who won the Gold Glove Award in 2023 with the Rangers). They believe his presence will especially aid García and Abrams, who now have a security blanket to their left.

“He catches the ball. He makes all the plays,” Martinez said. “It’s a good target for our infielders to throw over there as well. It makes things a lot easier.”

They also have high hopes at the opposite corner with DeJong, a career shortstop with the Cardinals who looked comfortable when he moved to third base late last season with the Royals. The 31-year-old isn’t guaranteed to start every day, with Jose Tena (who played Saturday against the Astros) also expected to get some playing time and top prospect Brady House knocking on the door at Triple-A Rochester.

But for now, the Nationals believe DeJong will make a real difference, with his power stroke at the plate and smooth glovework in the field.

“His play at third base, his metrics numbers are real good over there defensively,” Martinez said.

* James Wood was cleared to resume some defensive drills this morning for the first time in a week. Wood, who is dealing with right quad tendinitis, participated in a drill in which four outfielders at a time would lay on the ground, then hop to their feet and attempt to catch a succession of fly balls shot out from a pitching machine on the other side of the field.

Wood also did some light baserunning and continues to take batting practice as he has throughout camp. Martinez hasn’t offered a timetable for the 22-year-old to make his game debut, other than to reiterate there’s no reason to rush him this early in the spring.

* Mitchell Parker is scheduled to pitch out of the bullpen today behind starter Shinnosuke Ogasawara, but the left-hander will be treated just like any other starter in camp.

“He’s going to warm up like he’s starting the game,” Martinez said. “His routine will be the same. He’s just going to come in later in the game. We’ve got a lot of guys we want to see, a lot of starters. Some of these guys are going to have to come in out of the bullpen like that. But we told them: You’re getting ready like it’s your game.”

* The Nationals are still figuring out their pitching plan beyond today’s game. The team is off Monday, and though there was a plan to have several guys come to the facility and throw as if it was a game day, an ominous forecast for heavy rain may throw a wrench into those plans.

If nobody can throw Monday, the Nats will likely need to push pitchers back a day, impacting Tuesday’s plan against the Marlins.