Candelario released from hospital after bout of dehydration

PHOENIX – Jeimer Candelario spent Friday night in a hospital following the Nationals’ game with what doctors ultimately determined was a bout of dehydration.

Candelario appeared to feel fine throughout the game, according to manager Davey Martinez, but shortly after the 3-1 loss to the Diamondbacks felt dizzy and was taken to the trainer’s room at Chase Field to wait for paramedics to arrive. After receiving IV fluids, the 29-year-old third baseman was taken to a nearby hospital for precautionary tests, but was released today once any serious issues were ruled out.

“He went and took a shower, said he didn’t feel well,” Martinez said. “They laid him down. He started shaking pretty good. They came in, we saw a doctor and he deemed he was dehydrated. They gave him some fluids, and he still didn’t feel right. We just wanted to make sure we got him all checked out. Everything checked out.”

It wasn’t particularly warm Friday night, with a gametime temperature of only 79 degrees, but dehydration isn’t uncommon in the desert. Candelario went 1-for-3 with a strikeout and was in the on-deck circle when Joey Meneses struck out to end the game.

Candelario was kept out of tonight’s lineup. It’s the first time he has sat this season; he had been the only player on the team to start each of the Nationals’ 32 games to date.

Candelario did plan to come to the ballpark in time for the game, wanting to watch his teammates in person.

“I didn’t want him coming in,” Martinez said. “But he was itching to get back in. I don’t know how long he’s going to be here, if he’s going to stay in. We’ll see how he does when he’s here.”

With Candelario sitting, Michael Chavis makes his first start of the season at third base. He’ll be paired up on the left side of the infield with fellow utilityman Ildemaro Vargas, who is starting at shortstop in place of CJ Abrams.

Martinez said nothing is wrong with Abrams; he was simply looking to give his young shortstop a day off and chose this game against Diamondbacks left-hander Tommy Henry.

“I’ve got to try to get him some days off,” the manager said.

* The news comes as no surprise at this point, but Martinez did make it official today: Jake Irvin will remain in the rotation and start Monday night against the Giants.

Irvin was called up from Triple-A Rochester to make his major league debut Wednesday night, and the 26-year-old right-hander acquitted himself well, holding the Cubs to one run on two hits and four walks and a hit batter in 4 1/3 innings.

What initially would’ve been a spot start necessitated by a doubleheader last weekend instead has turned into a longer audition because No. 5 starter Chad Kuhl landed on the 15-day injured list with a right toe sprain. Kuhl has begun playing catch again, and there is hope his IL stint won’t last long, but he’ll still miss at least two more starts.

Martinez didn’t guarantee Irvin anything beyond Monday’s start, but the organization likely wants to get a more extended look at him, seeing how he responds following his debut.

“He got the first one out of the way, so he’ll go out there and relax hopefully,” the manager said. “It’s always that first inning you’ve got to get through. Once you get through that, it seems like everything comes out and he starts doing what he’s supposed to be doing. Hopefully that’ll be the case on Monday. He’s got great stuff. He’s got to just attack the strike zone and throw strike one.”