Martinez explains García demotion; Adon to start Saturday

CINCINNATI – The Nationals’ surprise decision to demote Luis García to Triple-A following Wednesday’s game wasn’t a sign the organization has given up on the struggling second baseman, manager Davey Martinez insisted today, but rather an acknowledgment he must show improvement in several areas to earn his way back to the big leagues.

“I still strongly believe that Luis is a big part of our future, I really do,” Martinez told reporters before tonight’s series opener against the Reds. “There’s some consistency stuff that we want him to work on. We want him to do it without having to worry about putting up numbers and that nature. He does a lot of things well. We think he can get better.”

García was optioned after Wednesday’s walk-off win over the Brewers after a sustained slump over 27 games that saw him bat just .196 with a .227 on-base percentage and .499 OPS. That left his season totals at a disappointing .259 average, .293 on-base percentage and .656 OPS.

The 23-year-old, who made his major league debut almost exactly three years ago, had been a mainstay on the big league roster and in the Nats lineup since last summer. And through much of the first three months of this season, he had shown progress in his pitch selection at the plate and defensive play at second base.

But García's struggles over the last month were noticeable, and Martinez indicated there were concerns about his preparation and pregame routine. Rather than let him try to work that out at the big league level, the club felt it was better to have him figure it out at Rochester.

“We want to slow him down a little bit,” the manager said. “We didn’t want to put pressure on him. Luis takes a lot of pride in his hitting and his playing. I felt like he was trying to put a little bit of pressure about trying to get hits. It’s not always about getting hits. It’s about being prepared, giving yourself a chance to swing the bat and put a good swing on a baseball every day, positioning, things of that nature. So we thought for Luis, this would be the best thing for him right now.”

García, who was informed of his demotion about 30 minutes after Wednesday’s win, immediately reported to Rochester and went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a strikeout in his debut there Thursday.

“He responded exactly the way I thought he would,” Martinez said. “He was there yesterday. He was already in the cage working. Like I said, he wants to get better. He really does. He wasn’t happy where he was at, either. He tells me all the time he expects to hit .300, expects to drive the ball. I really believe this will help him. And he’s taking it the right way.”

The Nationals promoted infielder Jeter Downs from Triple-A to take García's roster spot, but the 25-year-old former top prospect of the Dodgers and Red Sox won’t assume his everyday job. Rookie Jake Alu, who had taken over at third base following Jeimer Candelario’s trade to the Cubs this week, is starting at second base tonight, with veteran utility man Ildemaro Vargas at third base.

Martinez suggested he’ll play matchups at both positions moving forward, using some combination of Downs, Alu, Vargas and Michael Chavis.

The Nats also called up outfielder Blake Rutherford from Rochester to take the spot that opened up when they requested unconditional release waivers on veteran Corey Dickerson. Rutherford, a former first-round pick of the Yankees who signed a minor league deal with the Nationals last winter and went on to produce a .978 OPS in 62 games at Rochester and Double-A Harrisburg, is starting in left field tonight and making his long-awaited major league debut.

“A lot of emotions,” said the 26-year-old, who will have about 30 friends and family members in attendance tonight. “A lot of people to thank. A lot of special people in my life that allowed me to get to this moment. … I’m just excited to share the moment with them. They’re a part of it as much as I am. I couldn’t be happier, couldn’t be more thankful. It’s a special moment. They deserve it just as much as I do.”

* Trevor Williams will not return from bereavement leave until Sunday, so the Nationals will need someone to take his place in the rotation and start Saturday’s game, according to Martinez.

Williams, who left the club following his start Sunday in New York, would’ve been in line to pitch Saturday. Martinez announced after the game Joan Adon would be called up from Rochester to make the spot start.