The Nationals announced Friday that they have selected the left-hander. Mitchell Parker, Andrew Alvarez and Jake Eder. The Opening Day rotation requires three pitchers, one of whom has been on an MLB roster in the last two years.
Parker’s demotion was most notable. He has been in the big leagues since his first call-up in April 2024. Parker had a solid rookie season, posting a 4.29 ERA in 29 starts. His sophomore season was much less encouraging. Parker has 5.68 earned runs per nine in 164 2/3 innings. Among pitchers who exceeded 100 innings, he ranked 9th in average ERA and 6th in strikeout rate (14.2%).
Parker, 26, has caught the ball twice this spring. His command was erratic, as he walked five batters in 3 2/3 innings. He will begin the season at Triple-A Rochester to get back on track.
Alvarez and Eder also competed for a rotation spot. The former is a 26-year-old rookie who made five major league starts last season and recorded an ERA of 2.31. Alvarez doesn’t throw a particularly hard pitch and has average strikeouts and walks in his MLB looks. He returned to Triple A and made 25 starts last season, recording an ERA of 4.10 and a league-average strikeout rate of 21.5%.
The Nats acquired Eder from the Angels as part of last summer. Andrew Chapin Closed transaction. He was immediately drafted to Triple A and quickly went on the injured list. The 6-foot-4 left-hander was once a notable prospect, but has consistently had trouble finding the strike zone. He walked six batters over 6 2/3 frames this spring.
First-year skipper Blake Butera has already tabbed the right-hander. Cade Cavalli As an opening day starter. Nats added it Jack Littell, Miles Mikolas and poster griffin About a one-year free agent contract. Littell’s signing was just finalized this week, but he was able to throw 39 pitches over three innings in his spring training debut this afternoon. He’ll probably have time to prepare for Opening Day.
Josiah Gray, brad roadand Jake Ervin They’re competing for the fifth starting spot. Gray is back from internal brace surgery that cost him the entire 2025 season. He struck out five one-run shots in 4 2/3 innings in camp.
Rod posted a 4.34 ERA in 130 2/3 innings in a swing role last year. He allowed four runs (three earned) with four strikeouts over 7 1/3 frames. Irvin led the Nats with 180 innings pitched a year ago, but posted a 5.70 ERA and led the majors in earned runs and home runs allowed. But he got off to a great start in the spring, hitting 8 1/3 frames of two-run balls while also recording 10 punchouts.
