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.