ATLANTA – The Nationals ended the season for two more pitchers this afternoon, placing MacKenzie Gore and Mason Thompson on the 15-day injured list with only five games to go.
Gore landed on the IL with a right ankle impingement after it came about during his start last week on a rainy, cold Tuesday night at Nationals Park. He started last night’s series opener against the Braves, but only lasted two-plus innings. After allowing the first two batters in the third inning to reach while reaching 71 total pitches, interim manager Miguel Cairo thought that was enough for the 26-year-old left-hander, who had mentioned the ankle was still bothering him.
“It happened the last game when it was wet over there at home,” Cairo said during his pregame media session. “He felt it a little bit. He went through it. He toughened (through it) a little bit. And we didn't want to risk anything. It's not worth it right now. He had a really good season. Now it's time for him to just chill out and make sure this is fine. Just look forward to the offseason and have a great offseason, work hard and come back ready. He did really amazing things this year.”
Gore finishes the year 5-15 with a 4.17 ERA, 185 strikeouts, 1.353 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 159 ⅔ innings over 30 starts. He was named an All-Star for the first time in his career after going 4-8 with a 3.02 ERA, 1.196 WHIP and 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings over his first 19 starts. But he ended the year 1-7 with a 6.75 ERA, 1.703 WHIP and 8.6 K/9 over his last 11 outings.
“He had a great year,” Cairo said. “Everyone goes through the ups and downs of the season. He had a really good first half. He went to the All-Star Game, pitched really well and came back. They all get a little tired and they go to rough spots, but he pitched unbelievable.”
Gore also landed on the injured list in late August with left shoulder inflammation, but only missed the minimum 15 days. Now he’ll focus on staying consistent throughout the 2026 season.
“Make sure he's strong, work hard, make sure he's coming ready to be the way he can,” Cairo said of Gore’s offseason goals. “This year, he was lights out in the beginning. It's a long season, but he just has to be ready to come and do it again for the six months, 162 games.”
Meanwhile, Thompson, whose placement on the IL was backdated to Sept. 20, is dealing with right biceps tendinitis. The big right-hander says it’s connected to his recovery and build up from last year’s Tommy John surgery.
“It's very disappointing,” he said. “It's kind of been a lingering thing just coming back from surgery. It's just some soreness and tightness that I've had to deal with. So yeah, it's unfortunate, but it's part of it. I'm looking forward to getting healthy and working hard this offseason.”
After missing all of last year, Thompson returned to the major leagues on July 6 against the Red Sox. He finishes this season 1-1 with 16 hits, 16 runs (14 earned), one home run, 12 walks, 11 strikeouts, an 11.81 ERA and 2.625 WHIP in 10 ⅔ innings over 14 appearances.
To fill the two open roster spots, the Nationals recalled right-handers Orlando Ribalta and Julian Fernández.
Ribalta has a 6.56 ERA and 1.757 WHIP in 23 ⅓ innings over 20 big league relief appearances this season.
Fernández was claimed by the Nationals off waivers from the Dodgers on Aug. 17. The 28-year-old Dominican Republic native went 4-2 with a 4.17 ERA , 1.407 WHIP and 11.2 K/9 in 47 games (four starts) at Triple-A this season between the Dodgers and Nationals systems. He went 1-2 with a 7.82 ERA, 1.895 WHIP and 12.8 K/9 with Triple-A Rochester.
“It's been quite difficult, the adjustment coming into a new organization,” Fernández said, via interpreter Mauricio Ortiz. “But the coaches and managers down in Triple-A have helped me a lot in getting adapted to the team and the organization. And being here in the big leagues, getting the call-up, it's really nice. It feels great, and I'm here to help the team finish the season strong.”
Fernández has a 10.38 ERA, 1.846 WHIP and 5.2 K/9 in limited major league action over six appearances with the Rockies in 2021 and one outing with the Dodgers this year. But he’s excited for another opportunity with the Nationals. He was scheduled to be on a 10 a.m. flight home to the Dominican tomorrow before the Nats told him last night he was being called up. He had to call his mom to tell her, and she was very excited for his return to the majors.
He throws a fastball that can touch triple digits, while he works on improving his changeup.
“Power pitcher,” he said to describe himself. “I can go one, two, up to three innings. I attack the strike zone and the batters.”
* One major change in the Nationals lineup tonight is Luis García Jr. playing first base for the first time in his career.
García has been working at first since the All-Star break and the Nationals want to see if he might have a future at the corner spot instead of second base, where he’s mostly played over his six big league seasons.
“We just want to see if he can play first,” Cairo said. “He's been practicing there. It would be good for him because he would be more versatile. He can play second, first. And that bat plays. He's a good hitter, and we play it anywhere. So the more positions you get to play, the (more) you're going to be fine. We want to see him play first just to see if he can do it.”
The hot-hitting Nasim Nuñez starts at second base tonight while CJ Abrams returns to shortstop after dealing with a right shoulder issue since Saturday’s game in New York.
Daylen Lile also returns to the lineup as the designated hitter after missing the last two games with a left knee contusion. And James Wood is back in left field after sitting last night against Chris Sale.