Early returns on Henry the reliever excite Nationals

Just a few years ago, Cole Henry probably envisioned his first two weeks in the major leagues including several starts for the Nationals, perhaps one or two gems in there to set him on his way as a long-term member of the rotation.

It doesn’t always work out as planned, of course, but that doesn’t have to mean it can’t still work out in a positive – if unexpected – way.

Henry’s first two weeks in the big leagues didn’t include any starts, but rather four relief appearances. He twice closed out lopsided losses. Then he closed out a lopsided win Tuesday night. And then on Thursday, the 25-year-old right-hander found himself pitching in a high-leverage spot for the first time.

The Nats still lost the game 2-1 to the Orioles. But Henry’s performance in the top of the eighth and ninth, posting two more zeros, represented a big moment for the rookie, who with each passing day is growing to appreciate this new role as a major league reliever.

“I’m learning every day,” he said. “It’s definitely something different. But I’m up for the challenge. I like being out there, and pitching in those high-leverage spots is really fun. Hopefully I can keep doing it.”

The way he’s performed so far, Henry should continue to get opportunities to pitch in situations of consequence. He has yet to allow a run in four appearances, and of the 18 batters he’s faced, he has struck out eight.

“So far, I’ve been very, very impressed with what he’s done,” manager Davey Martinez said. “He’s come up here, he’s thrown strikes, he’s got a plan, which is awesome.”

A highly-touted, second-round pick from LSU in 2020, Henry seemed to be on a fast track to D.C. He dominated in seven starts at Double-A Harrisburg in 2022, was promoted to Triple-A Rochester and looked like a potential call-up sometime that summer.

But then a shoulder injury forced the Nationals to shut him down, and the next thing you knew, Henry’s career was completely disrupted by thoracic outlet surgery. He attempted to come back in 2023 and 2024 but couldn’t stay healthy enough to pitch with any consistency, totaling only 49 2/3 minor league innings those two years.

The Nats decided this spring to convert Henry to a full-time reliever, believing the workload could be better for his arm and offer a more likely path to the majors. And so far, that’s exactly what has happened. Promoted from Rochester after Orlando Ribalta went on the 15-day injured list, Henry has quickly ascended from an extra arm in the bullpen to perhaps one of Martinez’s most trusted arms.

“I definitely think it could work,” the manager said. “We’ve got to be very careful with his usage, that’s the biggest thing. But I said all along, once we get him accustomed to getting up and getting out there, he can do it.”

Henry has yet to pitch on back-to-back days, ultimately a necessity for any quality reliever. After tossing two scoreless innings Thursday night, he’ll probably get tonight off regardless of the situation.

But look for him to get more opportunities to pitch in high-leverage spots, given the struggles of more experienced relievers Jorge López, Lucas Sims and Colin Poche in the setup role so far this season.

This much is clear: Henry’s stuff is playing well at this level. He’s mostly throwing two pitches: a mid-90s fastball that moves, and a sharp-breaking curveball that had multiple Baltimore batters baffled Thursday night.

“It definitely gives me a lot of confidence to keep throwing it,” he said of the curveball. “I’ve always believed in my stuff, but it is cool to see it work at the highest level.”

Henry trotted out of the bullpen twice this week to the strains of Green Day’s “Brain Stew,” a song that debuted four years before he was born in 1999 but he became aware of recently from TikTok videos.

The Nationals Park crowd seemed to love it. Maybe a new phenomenon is growing before our eyes: a promising young reliever getting a chance to pitch in big situations, with the fan base strongly behind him.

“I love it,” Henry said. “I think every baseball player is an adrenaline junkie. It’s just really cool, especially at home, to have your walkout song be played and run out there. You feel the energy all around. It’s contagious.”