Irvin gets message and flips switch; Kieboom outrighted to Triple-A

JUPITER, Fla. – After getting roughed up by the Astros to the tune of seven runs in 1 2/3 innings two weeks ago, Jake Irvin was approached by Nationals manager Davey Martinez, who asked what happened. Irvin informed his manager he was “working on stuff,” the insinuation there that he wasn’t approaching hitters the way he normally would in a regular season game.

The message Martinez shot back at the 27-year-old: Don’t do that.

“Work on the stuff you need to work on, but do it in the bullpen,” Martinez said. “When you’re in the game, you’re here to compete. I need you to forget about everything and start getting some outs. And he took it to heart.”

That’s putting it mildly. In two starts since that regrettable March 1 outing, Irvin has flipped the switch and pitched like these games were taking place in mid-September, not mid-March.

With five scoreless innings today on a scant 52 pitches, Irvin led the Nationals to a 2-1 exhibition win over the Marlins. Combined with his previous appearance against the Mets, the right-hander has now tossed nine scoreless innings, allowing three hits and zero walks while striking out 10 since getting that all-important message from his manager.

“He kind of just got my focus back on competing, which was the kick in the ass that I needed,” Irvin said. “I respect the hell out of him. His word goes a long way with me. It was good to hear that from him. I made the adjustment, and now it’s about competing.”

Irvin seemingly came to spring training as a member of the Nationals’ Opening Day rotation, based on the 24 starts he made last season as a rookie and the sustained stretch of success he enjoyed along the way. (In 15 starts from mid-June through early-September, he had a 3.59 ERA while the team went 9-6.)

Then again, he has only one season of big league experience, and the Nats brought in veteran Zach Davies on a minor league deal to potentially take one of the five starting jobs, so perhaps Irvin’s status wasn’t as secure as it seemed.

That’s why Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo wanted Irvin to still take a competitive mindset to the mound, even if these games don’t count. And he did so by focusing on fastball command to get ahead of hitters, then finishing them off in short order.

During today’s start, Irvin threw a whopping 43 of his 52 pitches for strikes. The first batter of the game, Luis Arraez, reached on a single to center. Then Irvin wiped him out by getting Josh Bell to ground into a double play, then retired the last 14 batters he faced to end his afternoon in style, his fastball averaging 95 mph and topping out at 97 mph.

“Honestly, it’s just throwing strikes,” he said. “Instead of tinkering with different pitches, trying to create shapes that I spent all offseason working on, just trust it. Go after guys, and get your confidence up going into the season.”

So after all that, would Martinez confirm Irvin will be one of the five Opening Day starters?

“He’s getting there,” the manager said with a wry smile. “He definitely impressed me today.”

* The Nationals announced Carter Kieboom cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Rochester, clearing a spot on their 40-man roster.

Kieboom’s spot had been in danger since camp opened, the club seemingly having given up on the 2016 first-round pick after years of injuries and underwhelming performances. But he will remain in the organization for now, returning to Triple-A though no longer a member of the 40-man roster.

The 26-year-old infielder went 3-for-13 with one double and one RBI this spring, typically coming off the bench to play later innings behind fellow third basemen Nick Senzel and Ildemaro Vargas. With top prospect Brady House also in big league camp, Kieboom’s future with the Nationals was further clouded.

Highly touted during his early days in the Nats farm system, Kieboom made his major league debut in 2019 as the shortstop of a contending team that was struggling with Trea Turner on the injured list. Kieboom himself struggled and was sent back down to Triple-A after only 11 games, ultimately moved to third base.

Touted the following year as Anthony Rendon’s heir apparent, Kieboom continued to struggle and never did realize his potential after missing the 2022 season following Tommy John surgery. In 133 total major league games, he hit .199/.297/.301 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs.

“He missed some time with injuries, and I believe he’s still playing a little bit of catch-up,” Martinez said. “I know this is kind of disappointing for him, but he’s still got a uniform on, and he’s got to perform. I want him to go down there and really show us that he’s going to put the work in and get himself ready. And if he’s called upon, he’s going to come up here and help us win.”

The Nationals have several veterans in camp on minor league deals who could make the Opening Day roster, including Eddie Rosario, Jesse Winker, Matt Barnes, Derek Law and Richard Bleier. The team will have to clear 40-man spots for anyone who makes the club, so Kieboom’s removal is likely the first of several upcoming moves.

Players on the 60-day injured list do not count toward the 40-man roster, so the Nats could clear up more spots when Stephen Strasburg, Cade Cavalli, Mason Thompson and perhaps Stone Garrett officially go on the IL.