Hellickson throws solid six innings in Florida warmup game

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

April 04, 2018, 7:27am

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ATLANTA - The Nationals continue to stretch out veteran right-hander Jeremy Hellickson in West Palm Beach, Fla., and he is on schedule to be game-ready in the next week or two.

"He actually pitched two days ago," manager Davey Martinez said. "He did good. Six innings, 92 pitches. He's doing well. His next start is Saturday. He's basically just trying to get ready. We want him to be consistent, stretch him out, so that he's ready to go.

"Now it's just getting him consistent. Six innings, 90 pitches is pretty good. If we can get him back out there again one or two more times and then we will see where we are at. If we can get up to the 100-pitch mark, we will be in good shape."

A.J.-Cole-throwing-gray-sidebar.jpg A.J. Cole struggled Tuesday, allowing a team-record 10 runs on 10 hits while recording only 11 outs in a 13-6 Nats loss to the Braves. Martinez said the Nats have not decided on who will be the fifth starter when that slot comes up next week.

"We haven't made the decision yet," Martinez said. "We've been checking the weather. The weather's not supposed to be good. In the next day or two, we will probably re-evaluate and see what we are going to do."

Hellickson, 30, started 30 games last season with the Phillies and the Orioles. He was 8-11 with a 5.43 ERA. He made one spring start for the Nationals after signing a minor league contract on March 16, notching the win, and ending up with a 2.25 ERA. Hellickson pitched four innings against Miami on March 23, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts.