Nationals' Miles Mikolas: Sharp as primary pitcher Sunday
Rotowire
Mikolas didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Giants, allowing four hits and a walk over four scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.
The veteran right-hander worked as a bulk reliever, taking the mound after PJ Poulin recorded the first two outs for the Nationals, and Mikolas just missed collecting his first win of the season -- Washington scored all three of its runs right after he was lifted after 61 pitches (40 strikes) for Andrew Alvarez, who completed a combined shutout. Mikolas still has an ugly 9.15 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB through 19.2 innings over five appearances (three starts) this season, but Sunday's effort was at least encouraging. Mikolas lines up for another favorable matchup, either as a starter or a primary pitcher, next weekend on the road against the White Sox.
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Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Headed back to Triple-A
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The Nationals optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Rochester after Sunday's 3-0 win over the Giants.
Alvarez was called up from Rochester ahead of Sunday's series finale and played a pivotal role while working out of the bullpen. The southpaw tossed the final 4.1 innings of the team's combined shutout of the Giants, allowing three hits while striking out five en route to earning the win. Alvarez posted a 2.31 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 20 strikeouts over 23.1 innings in five starts with the Nationals in 2025, and considering how well he pitched Sunday, he likely won't have to wait long for another shot with the big-league club. In the meantime, Alvarez will slot back into the rotation at Rochester.
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Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Promoted Sunday
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The Nationals recalled Alvarez from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.
The left-hander has a 4.66 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB across 19.1 frames in four starts for Rochester and will now get a look in the big-league bullpen. The Nationals are starting PJ Poulin as an opener Sunday before turning to primary pitcher Miles Mikolas, after which Alvarez could be called upon to provide some more length.
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Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
While Alvarez was technically in the running for a spot in the Nationals' rotation, it's been likely from the jump that he would begin the year at Rochester. The southpaw has pitched well this spring, allowing two runs with an 11:5 K:BB over nine innings. Alvarez remains a good bet to make some starts for the Nationals this season.
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Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Yields two runs in no-decision
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Alvarez did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Cubs, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two across 4.2 innings.
Alvarez limited the Cubs to one run through four innings, which came on a Carson Kelly solo shot in the second frame. Alvarez was pulled in the fifth after yielding two baserunners and was tagged for an additional run on a Seiya Suzuki RBI single. Alvarez has yielded two runs across 9.2 major-league innings this season and is slated to make his next start against the Pirates at home next weekend.
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Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Making second start Sunday
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Alvarez is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
As anticipated, Alvarez will stick around in the Washington rotation after delivering a sterling performance in his MLB debut this past Monday against the Marlins. The 26-year-old lefty had a no-hitter going through the first four innings and ultimately allowed just three baserunners while striking out four batters across five frames, earning the win and helping the Nationals halt an eight-game losing streak. Alvarez will get a stiffer test for his second MLB start as he matches up against a Cubs offense that ranks fifth in baseball with a 109 wRC+ on the season, though Chicago could be without two of its key batters in Kyle Tucker (calf) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (knee).
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Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Blanks Marlins in big-league debut
Rotowire
Alvarez (1-0) earned the win Monday against the Marlins, allowing one hit and two walks in five scoreless innings. He struck out four.
It was a dazzling major-league debut for Alvarez, who kept the Marlins off balance while inducing seven groundouts. Although it was a highly promising first big-league appearance, the rookie left-hander does have a lackluster 4.10 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 114:52 K:BB over 123 innings for Triple-A Rochester in 2025. The hurler's impressive showing coupled with the injury to MacKenzie Gore (shoulder) certainly have Alvarez's fantasy stock on the rise, though a test against the Cubs at Wrigley Field awaits Alvarez this weekend.
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Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Added to roster ahead of debut
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The Nationals selected Alvarez's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.
Alvarez is set to make his major-league debut Monday with a start at home against the Marlins, taking the rotation spot of the injured MacKenzie Gore (shoulder). The left-handed Alvarez held a 4.10 ERA and 114:52 K:BB over 123 innings covering 25 starts for Rochester this season. He should receive multiple turns in the rotation while Gore is shelved.
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Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Joining rotation Monday
Rotowire
Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo said that Alvarez will be called up from Triple-A Rochester to start Monday's game against the Marlins in Washington, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Alvarez is set to make his big-league debut Monday and could get multiple turns through the rotation after the Nationals placed MacKenzie Gore (shoulder) on the injured list Saturday. A 26-year-old lefty, Alvarez has spent the entire season in the Rochester rotation and produced a 3.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 123 innings. He's been particularly effective since the All-Star break, delivering quality starts in three of seven outings while accruing a 2.97 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB across 36.1 frames.
