Martinez has stayed away from struggling relievers this week

Scan the stat page and you’ll find that Lucas Sims, Eduardo Salazar and Colin Poche rank among the Nationals’ leaders in appearances as the season’s first month winds down. Then consider none of the three has pitched in at least four days, and you realize just how much Davey Martinez was counting on all of them earlier this month before each struggled.

Poche (owner of a 15.00 ERA and 3.333 WHIP in 10 games) hasn’t pitched since Tuesday. Salazar (owner of an 8.31 ERA and 2.192 WHIP in 11 games) hasn’t pitched since Sunday. Sims (owner of a 15.26 ERA and 2.609 WHIP in 12 games) hasn’t pitched since Saturday, a full week.

Nothing’s physically wrong with any of them, Martinez insisted today. He just hasn’t found the right situation to call upon any of them during this stretch.

“They’re good,” the manager said. “We sat up last night for a while and said they’ve got to get back in the game. I don’t want them sitting for a week. We’ll get them back in there.”

The hidden message in there: While the Nationals began the season counting on Poche, Salazar and Sims to pitch meaningful innings, their performances have dropped them out of contention for anything resembling high-leverage spots, of which there have been many over the last week while the team won five of its last seven games.

It’s reminiscent of the situation Tanner Rainey and Jordan Weems found themselves in last season, both right-handers going long stretches without appearing out of the bullpen because Martinez could only trust them in blowouts. The manager doesn’t want it to get that far with this current group, especially because there are three of them in this boat, but it’s up to them to prove they deserve more consistent work.

“All three of them have really good stuff. It’s not about stuff. I tell them that all the time: It’s about what you’re doing with your stuff,” Martinez said. “It’s about working ahead, staying ahead. Not trying to throw the turbo sweeper. Just throw your sweeper. Not overthrowing the sinker. Just throw your sinker. As I’ve said before, we need all 26 guys on our roster in order to compete every day. We need these guys to step up and do their part.”

On the bright side, Jorge López seems to have worked his way back into high-leverage spots after his own ragged start to the year. The veteran right-hander was given the top of the ninth Friday night with the Nats trailing 4-3, retired the side on 11 pitches and wound up credited with the win when his teammates rallied in the bottom of the ninth.

Despite a gaudy 8.18 ERA in 11 games overall, López’s 1.273 WHIP is actually one of the best in the Nationals' bullpen, suggesting he’s been the victim of some bad luck.

“He gradually has been doing way better,” Martinez said. “He had a slow start in spring. And when I look back every April, things have not gone as he planned. We’ve got to stick with him. I love the guy, because he’ll take the ball no matter what.”