However the actuality Thursday was a far cry from superb. Grey allowed two residence runs to Nick Martini, a 33-year-old designated hitter enjoying on his first profession Opening Day, and surrendered seven runs over 4 innings. Senzel, signed to be the Nationals’ on a regular basis third baseman, fractured his proper thumb fielding groundballs throughout pregame warmups. And the Nationals stumbled out of the gates with an 8-2 loss.
“I used to be tremendous excited simply to get the ball within the first recreation, means loads,” Grey stated. “Clearly would’ve been higher to throw higher for the fellows. However undoubtedly a fantastic feeling on the market.”
The Nationals got here into Thursday with all of the optimism that accompanies an opener, maybe much more so for a group that was simply two video games beneath .500 after the all-star break final season (35-37). In West Palm Seashore, Fla., the tone of their spring coaching was of perception — within the youth of a group nonetheless within the midst of a rebuild but in addition one which was coming off a 16-win bounce from 2022 to 2023.
“They got here into spring coaching much more assured,” Supervisor Dave Martinez stated earlier than the sport. “They received a while beneath their belt now within the main leagues, so that they’re slightly bit extra relaxed now. I simply need these to proceed what they’re doing, proceed to course of all the things and construct from what they did final 12 months.”
The offseason personnel strikes mirrored the franchise’s perception in its younger gamers. The group signed simply three gamers to main league offers: first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo, reliever Dylan Floro and Senzel.
Senzel, eyeing a bounce-back 12 months that would result in a long-term deal, signed a one-year contract. However after a spring coaching that noticed him hit .231 in 43 plate appearances, he was fielding groundballs pregame when he beginning taking a look at his proper thumb and shaking his hand. He left the sphere with a coach,and by the top of batting observe, Senzel was within the dugout together with his thumb in a cup of water. .
“The blow proper earlier than the sport at this time actually stung slightly bit,” Martinez stated. “It’s terrible. He was in a great spot, and we had been in a great spot with him. He was excited for at this time and only a freak accident. We’re going to overlook him, however he’s going to work actually arduous to get again as quickly as potential.”
To take Senzel’s place, the Nationals are calling up infielder Trey Lipscomb, who might make his main league debut as early as Saturday, in response to a number of individuals accustomed to the group’s plans. The 23-year-old infielder, whose pure place is third base, hit .400 this spring and was in competitors for the second base job with Luis García Jr. via the ultimate day of spring coaching. Martinez stated towards the top of camp that if Lipscomb made the group out of camp, he would play daily. The expectation is that he would be the group’s on a regular basis third baseman, although Ildemaro Vargas might see time as properly.
Grey, in the meantime, left his begin wholesome however dissatisfied. The 26-year-old right-hander, the group’s all-star a season in the past, is taken into account one of many group’s constructing blocks. Grey’s season trajectory was the other of the group’s — a powerful begin earlier than a subpar end. However Martinez rewarded him together with his first Opening Day begin.
Grey’s enchancment final season was primarily as a result of he restricted the lengthy balls after main the majors in residence runs allowed the earlier season. However his walks stay some extent of concern after his walks per 9 innings elevated to 4.5 a season in the past from 4.0. He walked the primary batter he confronted on 5 pitches however settled in for a scoreless first inning.
Within the second, Grey allowed a weak infield single, a stroll and one other bloop single to Spencer Steer, and the Reds had an early 1-0 lead. Then a well-recognized demon haunted Grey when he left a cutter over the center of the plate that Martini despatched into the right-center subject seats, giving the Reds a 3-0 lead.
One inning later, with a pair of runners on, Grey made one other mistake towards Martini. One other breaking ball over the plate — this one a curveball — that Martini blasted to proper, placing the Nationals in a 7-0 gap. Martinez stated Grey’s fastball was efficient within the first and fourth innings however felt he didn’t use it sufficient within the second and third.
“The 2 pitches that had been hit for homers had been a cutter and a curveball,” Grey stated. “Take these out, and I feel the fastball type of set me as much as assault with my different pitches. I threw numerous strikes at this time. Clearly seven runs is seven runs, however I assumed the fastball was stable. I assumed each pitch might’ve been higher.”
Grey pitched a scoreless fourth inning, ending the day on a excessive be aware. A mixture of Robert Garcia, Floro, Matt Barnes and Tanner Rainey teamed as much as maintain the Reds to 1 run over the subsequent 4 innings.
However the Nationals discovered little success towards Reds starter Frankie Montas. They had been aggressive throughout the early portion of the sport to no avail. Montas threw 33 pitches via the primary three innings and confronted one batter above the minimal. Washington had solely 4 singles off Montas in six innings. Eddie Rosario’s two-run residence run within the seventh inning accounted for the whole lot of the group’s offense.
“We received an off day tomorrow. We received to come back again sturdy,” Martinez stated. “Opening Day is at all times bizarre, numerous adrenaline. We uncharacteristically chased numerous pitches. We didn’t try this within the spring. We received to get the ball within the zone.”
