After early demotions, Machado providing strength in Nats bullpen

PHILADELPHIA – Andrés Machado wasn’t really supposed to be in this situation. And if he was going to be, a lot of things would have to go right for him, starting with his own production.

The right-hander, who posted a respectable 3.41 ERA in 95 innings over 91 games for the Nationals between 2021-22, was the odd man out when Corey Dickerson signed in January. The reliever was designated for assignment to make room for the veteran outfielder on the roster.

Machado cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Rochester. He only pitched in 10 games the season with the Red Wings before the Nats selected his contract to the big league roster.

The first part of the season was rough for the 30-year-old. Over his first 14 games, he pitched to an 8.47 ERA, .347 batting average against and 1.037 OPS against with five walks and six homers in 17 innings.

The Nationals designated him for assignment again when they recalled Jordan Weems from Rochester in early June. This time, Machado had the option to elect free agency after clearing waivers. He chose instead to accept an assignment back with Rochester to stay in Washington’s system.

His second major league chance came later in the month when the Nats optioned Amos Willingham back to Rochester and selected Machado’s contract for the second time.

This time he took advantage of the opportunity.

“Just working with the pitching coach and I get my stuff back,” Machado said after last night’s 5-4 win over the Phillies in the second half of a doubleheader. “So that's what we've been doing and everything is working good.”

Since June 26, Machado has pitched to a 2.25 ERA and 0.625 WHIP in eight innings over eight appearances, capped off by 1 ⅓ scoreless innings last night to keep the Nats within two runs. He’s held opposing hitters to a .111 average.

“I think all of my pitches feel good enough to throw,” he said. “So, I feel confident with all my stuff that I got. So I will keep doing it to help the team win.”

Those recent numbers have come in high-leverage situations, too. With injuries to Carl Edwards Jr. and Hunter Harvey, manager Davey Martinez has turned to Machado, among others, to bridge the gap to Kyle Finnegan. In each of his last four outings, Machado has entered a game within three runs or tied.

“I've been pitching in that situation a lot,” he said. “So now I know how to control that emotion, that adrenaline in the game. And it's been working for me a lot.”

What’s allowed him to be successful in those situations?

“Control like my body. Control my adrenaline,” he said. “So all the stuff and I've been chilling. Just executing my pitch.”

His success and his story are not lost among his teammates.

“He's been phenomenal,” said Josiah Gray. “For him to deal with a DFA and then go back to Triple-A and then come back here and basically start throwing leverage innings in his first week back and do well is phenomenal. He works as hard as anyone in here, especially those guys down in the bullpen. So I'm happy for him to continue to have continued success. When he gets the ball, you have the utmost confidence that he's going to get the job done.”

It’s not just Machado they have confidence in. The whole bullpen has stepped up. The Nats have gotten lights-out appearances from Weems and Finnegan and big contributions from lefties Jose A. Ferrer and Joe La Sorsa.

Machado says it’s been a team effort by the relievers.

“We feel good. That's our job,” Machado said. “That's why we're coming in to help the starter. … We've been working good.”