The Nats' Jake Irvin will pitch in the majors for the first time in over two months. He went on the 60-day injured list due to a shoulder strain. Irvin looked sharp in his minor-league rehab, fanning 12 batters over 11.1 innings. Before going down with the injury, Irvin had posted a career-high 25.4 percent strikeout rate. In fact, he struck out seven Braves in his last MLB start, on May 23. He has registered at least four strikeouts in 10 of 11 starts this season. While Irvin likely will be limited to 75 or so pitches, that should be enough. The Braves have struck out the fifth-most times over the past 30 days (while hitting the second-most homers).
Washington will activate Jake Irvin (2-5, 5.23 ERA) off the 60-day IL to start tonight. Definition of mediocre with a career 24-38 mark and 4.96 ERA; he led the majors in earned runs allowed in 2025. I will say that rather strangely the Nationals have been much better away. It's also their seventh straight game without a day off. Atlanta is one of the best home teams in the majors (32-20) and Grant Holmes (6-4, 3.79 ERA) is unbeaten in four straight overall. Not ideal the Braves had to play two at the Mets on Wednesday, but they were off on Tuesday so I'm not too worried. The bullpen is still in pretty good shape.
Lord is slated to start Saturday's game against the Mets at Citi Field, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.
Alvarez (2-4) allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out four over 5.2 innings in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Mets.
Sale (12-8) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over six innings.
Nationals manager Blake Butera revealed Friday that Abrams will be the team's primary second baseman moving forward, with Nasim Nunez shifting to shortstop, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Crews is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Mets.
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said that Lopez (knee) completed a bullpen session Tuesday, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports.
Ortiz went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 7-0 win over the Cubs.
Crews went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's 7-0 win over the Cubs.
Cavalli (10-5) earned the win Thursday against the Cubs, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out 10 over eight scoreless innings.
Young is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Cubs.
