Soroka scheduled to make next start, Young gets first day off

TORONTO – The Nationals are listing Michael Soroka as their scheduled starter for Sunday’s game against the Diamondbacks, suggesting the right-hander won’t have to miss any time after departing his season debut with a biceps cramp.

Soroka came out of Monday night’s game against the Blue Jays after spiking a slider to the first batter he faced in the bottom of the sixth, his 83rd pitch of the outing. He immediately looked to the dugout and began clinching his fist.

Whatever initial fears the Nats may have had about a potentially serious injury were alleviated when Soroka told them his right biceps muscle cramped on that final pitch, and he didn’t want to take any chances trying to go any further in the game.

He expressed cautious optimism afterward the injury was nothing serious, with manual tests performed by the club’s medical staff revealing no issues. He did acknowledge he would need to throw off a bullpen mound first before knowing for certain he would be fine to make his next scheduled start.

Soroka wasn’t planning to throw off a mound today, merely to play catch in the outfield at Rogers Centre prior to the Nats’ series finale. If everything went well, he would likely throw his bullpen session in D.C. on Thursday (an off-day for the team) or Friday (prior to the series opener against Arizona).

The Nationals have listed Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker and Soroka as their probable starters for the weekend series. They do have some leeway, though, if they think Soroka needs more time. Because of the upcoming off-day, they could bring Trevor Williams back on full rest to start Sunday, then MacKenzie Gore on full rest Monday against the Dodgers.

“We’re early (in the season right now),” manager Davey Martinez said. “If we have to give him another day or two, I’d rather do it now than wait. We’ll see how he feels today after he throws, and then we’ll go from there.”

If Soroka still wasn’t ready to go Tuesday against Los Angeles, the team would need to make a move. One possibility would be Brad Lord, who has made two appearances out of the bullpen so far but could probably throw three or four innings if needed. Another option would be Shinnosuke Ogasawara, who enjoyed a solid debut outing Tuesday for Triple-A Rochester (one run, zero walks, six strikeouts over six innings).

* Luis García Jr. is getting his second day off of the season this afternoon, and Jacob Young is getting his first day off.

With left-hander Easton Lucas starting for the Blue Jays, Martinez decided to sub in Amed Rosario for García at second base, just as he did Saturday against Phillies lefty Jesús Luzardo. He also decided to give Alex Call a second straight start after the right fielder reached base three times in his season debut Tuesday night.

Dylan Crews, who is still seeking his first hit of 2025, is back in the lineup after sitting Tuesday, now getting his first start in center field.

“It’ll give us an opportunity if something happens throughout the game,” said Martinez, citing the presence of García on the bench. “We’ll have some pinch-hit opportunities as well.”

Not getting a rest is Keibert Ruiz, who today starts his sixth consecutive game behind the plate to open the season. Ruiz has been the Nats’ most consistent hitter to date, carrying a five-game hitting streak into the series finale. He did sit for a couple innings Saturday once the game turned lopsided. And with the team having already had one off-day and another coming Thursday, the catcher does have a chance to rest his body without missing a game.

“I’ve been talking to him every day, and he’s been good,” Martinez said. “And he’s playing really well. He wants to keep it going. Last night, he said he felt good after the game. I asked him this morning how he felt, and he said he’s great. It’s early, but there’s going to come a time where I’ll definitely have to give him a day.”

Martinez has stuck with Nathaniel Lowe as his first baseman and Josh Bell as his designated hitter for each of the six games so far. He could choose to flip-flop those two at some point but doesn’t feel like it’s necessary yet.

“(Lowe) loves to play,” the manager said. “I watched him his previous years. When he’s healthy, he plays 150-plus games. He doesn’t want any days off. He’s really good over there. But there will be some days where I told him we’ll get him off his feet, and some days where we maybe do give him a whole day off or use him as DH.”