On the fringes of the MLB playoff race and in need of starting pitching, the Washington Nationals are calling up one of their top prospects.
Jackson Kent will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester this week, The Athletic’s Spencer Nusbaum reports. The 6-foot-3 left-hander is ranked as the Nationals’ No. 8 prospect by MLB.com. He was Washington’s 2024 fourth-round pick out of Arizona.
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Kent, 23, began the season with the Nationals’ Double-A affiliate. After seven starts with a 2.35 ERA and strikeout rate of 11.2 per nine innings, he was promoted to Triple-A. In 13 starts, Kent has compiled a 4.35 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings.
At 59-61, the Nationals are 4.5 games back from the National League’s third wild-card spot behind the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. However, the team moves at last week’s MLB trade deadline indicate that the front office is looking ahead toward next season and want to get a look at some young talent.
Kent will take one of the openings created in the Nationals’ rotation when Foster Griffin was traded to the Cleveland Guardians last week.
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Griffin, 31, was named to the NL All-Star team with a 3.23 ERA and 12-3 record, along with 116 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings. But he was set to be a free agent after the season and Washington received four prospects in exchange.
The Nationals also designated pitcher Zack Littell for assignment after he recorded a 4.97 ERA in 23 appearances (14 starts) with 70 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings.
Washington received starting pitcher Connelly Early from the Boston Red Sox in a trade for infielder Curtis Mead. However, Early (3.44 ERA, 9.1 Ks/9) hasn’t pitched since June 30 while dealing with left elbow inflammation. He was working toward beginning a minor-league rehab assignment until encountering forearm tightness.
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Nationals starting pitchers have combined for a 4.59 ERA this season, third-worst in the NL. The staff’s overall 4.71 ERA is second-worst in the league.
Kent was ranked as the organization’s third-best pitching prospect this season. But top prospect Travis Sykora is recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent a year ago. And No. 2 pitching prospect Jarlin Susana hasn’t pitched this season after having right lat surgery. He is reportedly scheduled to make an appearance for the Nationals’ high-Single A affiliate this week.
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