Rule 5 pick Ward sweating out final days of camp

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Thaddeus Ward has pitched in 51 games as a professional, and he’s been the starter for all 51 of those. The last time he pitched in relief: 2018 while at the University of Central Florida.

So, it’s been a while.

If Ward is going to make the Nationals’ roster as a Rule 5 draft pick, though, it’s going to be as a reliever. The Nats aren’t considering him for their rotation, maybe someday down the road but not at this point.

So all of Ward’s eight appearances this spring have come out of the bullpen, including his first back-to-back appearances last weekend. That has required some adaptation.

“It’s been a fairly significant change, but through talking to a lot of the guys here and those who have made the transition before, it’s made it a lot easier,” he said. “They’ve helped me find routines to help make sure I’m fresh day to day and able to throw. I’d say I’m starting to get comfortable with the transition.”

Nationals manager Davey Martinez has tried to be careful with his usage of Ward this spring, recognizing both his inexperience (he’s never pitched above Double-A) and his continued recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2020.

But any reliever who makes the Opening Day roster is going to have to be available to pitch whenever needed, so Martinez has to be convinced Ward can handle the workload before making the commitment.

“This is a new role for him, but he’s accepted it and he’s done well,” Martinez said. “My biggest thing for him is efficiency. Getting quick outs. Utilizing all your pitches. Try to get out of the inning as quick as possible. And he’s done that this spring. He’s done really, really well. I love his makeup, I love his stuff.”

Ward has made eight Grapefruit League appearances so far. Over 8 2/3 innings, he has allowed four runs, though all came March 11 against the Mets. He’s pitched scoreless ball in every other outing.

The good news: Ward has 11 strikeouts. The bad news: He has walked six batters in addition to the five hits he has surrendered. Along the way, he’s learning how his repertoire plays vs. big leaguers.

“There’s definitely adjustments that need to be made,” the right-hander said. “I need to be in the zone more often and more consistently. I’ve got to stop falling behind in these two-ball, three-ball counts. When you play with fire long enough, you’re going to get burned. I haven’t really been burned yet, but I know if I keep doing it, it’s going to happen. These hitters are way too good. Eventually, it’s going to come around and get me.”

That’s ultimately the dilemma the Nationals face with their first Rule 5 draftee since 2010. They are required to keep him on the major league roster (or the injured list for all but 90 days) the entire season or else offer him back to the Red Sox.

Ward is one of eight remaining relievers in big league camp competing for four open slots in the bullpen, with Kyle Finnegan, Carl Edwards Jr., Hunter Harvey and Erasmo Ramirez all assured of heading north with the club. Ward joins left-hander Anthony Banda and righties Alex Colome, Mason Thompson, Paolo Espino, Wily Peralta, Andres Machado and Hobie Harris in a down-to-the-wire competition for the final spots.

“I think if we do keep him, it’s because he earned it and that we like him,” Martinez said. “As of right now, he’s done really well. Right now, we’re considering him being part of our bullpen, the long guy.”

And what kind of emotions run through a Rule 5 draft pick’s mind in these final days of camp, his fate hanging in the balance?

“We’re kind of all over the place a little bit,” Ward said with a laugh. “It’s definitely some stress and anxiety level, just because it is the final week of camp. I’m sure a lot of guys are feeling that way. And there’s obviously nerves about moving and making sure all of our ducks are in a row. There’s a lot of stuff going on, especially for me wife. She’s the one in charge of moving our stuff. So she’s definitely more stressed than I am. All I’ve got to do is throw a baseball. But it’s fun. Honestly, the stress and anxiety are kind of what makes it so exciting. It’s something totally new for both myself and my wife.”