Ribalta's emotional debut, Williams' return to mound, Gallo's rehab homers

BALTIMORE – The smile on Orlando Ribalta’s face was still there Wednesday afternoon, some 19 hours after he made his major league debut in the ninth inning of the Nationals’ 9-3 victory over the Orioles.

It was far from a perfect debut; he retired only two of the five batters he faced and had to be pulled when his pitch count got too high. But the experience nonetheless was one Ribalta will never forget.

“I obviously had a lot of adrenaline going, but I know it’s part of the environment, being the first time,” he said. “It was the best thing. It was really cool.”

Promoted from Triple-A Rochester along with first baseman Andres Chaparro, Ribalta was thrown right into the proceedings, handed the ninth inning with the Nats holding a comfortable lead. Davey Martinez hoped the 26-year-old right-hander could record the final three outs of the game, but the manager ultimately had to summon Derek Law to finish it off.

Ribalta, whose head admittedly was spinning under the circumstances, will continue to get opportunities now that he has arrived in the big leagues. The Nationals hope to learn more about the physically imposing reliever over the season’s final seven weeks, determining if he looks like he could be part of the 2025 bullpen or not.

“He’s had a really good year at Triple-A, throwing the ball really well,” Martinez said. “Good swing-and-miss changeup, good live fastball. So we look forward to getting him some reps up here and seeing what he can do at the big league level.”

Ribalta, who is listed at 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, is an imposing presence on the mound, but he had to work his way to get here. Born in Cuba, then raised in Miami, he was the Nationals’ 12th round pick in the 2019 Draft out of Miami-Dade College.

He spent the next five years slowly working his way up the organizational ladder, reaching Single-A Wilmington in 2022, then Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester in 2023. It all came together for him this season, with a 2.58 ERA, 1.169 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in only 45 1/3 combined innings, ultimately leading to this week’s promotion.

The fact Ribalta made it to the majors despite his low-round status in the draft is fully appreciated by the big right-hander.

“It gives it a little nicer feeling to it, because you know all the struggles you’ve been through,” he said. “Everyone has their own struggles in baseball, but it was a little tough road. A couple years with the team, and the round I was drafted in. It was really nice to go through.”

* Trevor Williams took an important step in his return from injury Wednesday, throwing his first bullpen session since landing on the 15-day IL at the end of May.

Williams, out the last 2 1/2 months with a flexor strain in his right forearm, threw only 20 pitches, all fastballs, during Wednesday’s session. But it was a necessary first step for Williams, who is attempted to make it back before season’s end, when he’s set to become a free agent.

* Jose Tena was out of the lineup for the second straight night, his right thumb still bothering him after getting struck by a sharp grounder during Sunday’s game. The rookie infielder might have been available to pinch-hit if needed, but Martinez seemed more inclined to give him a bit more rest and hope he’s ready to return to the lineup Thursday in Philadelphia.

* Joey Gallo continues to mash on his rehab assignment with Rochester. The veteran slugger hit another homer Wednesday, his second in seven games on this assignment.

It remains to be seen how much longer the Nationals plan to wait before activating Gallo, who has been out for two months with a hamstring strain.