Cole sharp early, then fades in spring debut (Nats fall 5-2)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Twins 5, Nationals 2

Recap: A.J. Cole was strong in his first inning of the spring, but labored in the second and couldn't finish the frame after allowing three straight two-out hits (including a home run by Jason Castro) and a walk. Veteran Vance Worley, trying to make the club as a swingman in the bullpen, gave up another run in the third inning but bounced back with a scoreless fourth. Top prospect Erick Fedde was impressive in his two innings of relief, retiring all six batters faced and striking out a pair. A Nationals lineup that featured only one everyday starter (Anthony Rendon) got a run in the third inning when Michael A. Taylor legged out an infield single, stole second and twice advanced on groundouts.

Need to know: This was the first time the Nationals have faced the Twins in a spring training game. Over the previous 12 springs, they had faced every other Grapefruit League opponent.

On deck: Monday vs. Cardinals in Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.

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FORT MYERS, Fla. - A.J. Cole already figured to be a prominent figure in the Nationals organization this season before anybody reported for spring training, the likely first man up should one of the five rotation regulars go down.

But given the uncertain status of ace Max Scherzer, who is attempting to return by opening day from a stress fracture in his right ring finger, Cole's significance may prove even greater.

In his first audition of the spring this afternoon, the 25-year-old right-hander offered a glimpse of his potential but also a reminder why he remains an unfinished product.

Cole cruised through his first 1 2/3 innings against the Twins, retiring five of six batters with sharp fastball command. But then he faded quickly, serving up three straight hits (including a home run) and a walk before getting the hook from Dusty Baker before completing the bottom of the second.

Baker's pregame thoughts on Cole, who had a 5.17 ERA in eight starts last season, proved prescient about today's start.

"A.J., he performed well (in 2016)," the manager said. "He had some great games. And then he had some so-so games. He's still in the process of perfecting his off-speed, perfecting his movement, perfecting his location."

The sharp fastball Cole displayed early - he struck out Brian Dozier and Miguel Sano in succession looking at 94-mph heaters - could not mask his lack of command of his secondary pitches, most notably his slider. Three of the four hits he surrendered came on off-speed pitches, including a 3-2 changeup to Jason Castro that the Minnesota designated hitter sent soaring into the right field bleachers at Hammond Stadium.

"My fastball command was good in the first inning," Cole said. "The slider, I still thought it was a good pitch, just wasn't locating it very well. Kept it down, so they weren't swinging. They were letting it go. Then in the second inning, I brought my changeup and curveball out, which worked really well for me for a while. The guy that hit a home run, he hit a good pitch: 3-2 changeup. It was still down. He hit a good pitch."

After needing only 18 pitches to get through a scoreless first inning, Cole threw 29 more in the second inning before getting pulled. Overall, he threw 25 of his 47 pitches for strikes, most of those fastballs.

That was a fairly high total for a first start of the spring - Gio González threw only 14 pitches Saturday against the Mets - but Cole said fatigue wasn't a problem, crediting the extra muscle he put on this winter. After weighing 215 lbs. last year, he reported to camp at 229 lbs.

"I wanted to put the weight on to help my body," he said. "I was real light before, and I thought I could put on some weight, help with some stamina and some strength."

Cole should continue to get more opportunities early this spring as Scherzer slowly works his way back into game action. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner threw his first bullpen session Saturday, using a three-finger grip on his fastball to avoid discomfort in his still-healing ring finger knuckle.

With Scherzer's status still unknown, and with prospects Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez now pitching for the White Sox, Cole might well find himself in the big league rotation to open the season.

"Even when (Giolito and Lopez) were here, I was still trying to be that guy," Cole said. "Anyone wants to be that guy. And I especially want to be here and I want to help this team. And I know I can. If I can get a chance to get that ball, I want it."

Update: The Nationals got on the board in the top of the third when Michael A. Taylor beat out a sharp grounder down the third-base line, stole second and then advanced on a pair of groundouts. They haven't done much else at the plate today, though, and now have sent all the second-teamers in to finish out this game. On the mound, Vance Worley labored during a three-hit bottom of the third in which another run scored before settling down with a scoreless fourth. Top pitching prospect Erick Fedde, meanwhile, impressed with two perfect innings of relief that included two strikeouts and a fastball that registered 94-95 mph. The Nats trail 5-1 after six.