Alvarez set for first MLB start as rosters expand
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WASHINGTON -- Left-hander Andrew Alvarez will make his Major League debut and get the start on Monday in the Nationals’ series opener against the Marlins.
MLB rosters expand on Sept. 1, lining up with when Washington needed to fill MacKenzie Gore’s (left shoulder inflammation) next start in the rotation.
“He's been pitching good,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said before the Nationals’ 7-4 loss to the Rays on Sunday at Nationals Park. “He's been one of the most consistent pitchers in Triple-A. He throws strikes, and that’s something that I like.”
In five starts in August, Alvarez went 2-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. He recorded 32 strikeouts (14 walks), did not allow a home run and held opponents to a .188 batting average.
Alvarez, 26, was a 12th-round pick in the 2021 Draft out of Cal Poly. He was named the 2023 Nationals Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
“I want him to compete,” Cairo said. “I want him to go after hitters. Execute your pitches, make sure you compete, utilize your defense. … I know it’s a big stage, but it’s the same game, same baseball.”
The second September call-up will be announced on Monday.
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Top prospect Susana sustains injury
Following his early exit on Saturday, Nationals No. 3 prospect (MLB No. 71) Jarlin Susana was diagnosed with right triceps soreness. He will be re-evaluated.
The electric right-hander left his start with Double-A Harrisburg in the second inning. Susana delivered a pitch outside, then walked to the edge of the mound and dropped to one knee. He was attended to by Senators manager Delino DeShields and the medical staff.
The 6-foot-6 21-year-old is 1-4 with a 3.51 ERA in 14 starts across High-A and Double-A this season. Susana, who clocks in the triple digits, has a 15.2 K/9 rate.
Susana is the Nats’ second-ranked pitching prospect. Right-hander Travis Sykora (Nationals No. 2, MLB No. 46) underwent ligament reconstruction surgery this month to repair a torn right UCL.
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Willits enters pros swinging
2025 No. 1 overall Draft pick Eli Willits opened his pro career with a nine-game hitting streak in Single-A Fredericksburg.
From Aug. 21-30, Willits batted .419 (13-for-31) with one double, five RBIs, five runs, four walks and two stolen bases. He compiled a .500 on-base percentage and .452 slugging percentage.
Willits, 17, began the streak with three hits and two RBIs in his debut. He had back-to-back multihit games on Friday and Saturday before going hitless on Sunday.
Willits is ranked as the Nationals’ No. 1 prospect and No. 18 overall.
Cornelio excelling through affiliate ranks
Right-hander Riley Cornelio continues his strong season in which he has ascended from High-A Wilmington to Triple-A Rochester.
On Saturday, Cornelio recorded seven strikeouts to zero walks in six innings against the Jumbo Shrimp. He allowed three runs on eight hits.
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With that performance, Cornelio leads qualified players in the Nationals’ system in ERA (3.08), WHIP (1.12) and opponent’s batting average (.204). He also ranks third with 117 strikeouts.
Washington selected Cornelio, 25, in the seventh round of the 2022 Draft from Texas Christian University.
German earns DSL All-Star honors
Infielder Marconi German, the Nationals' No. 27 prospect, was named to the 2025 Rookie-level All-Star Team for his season in the Dominican Summer League.
German, 17, signed with the Nationals in January. In his first professional season, he slashed .283/.479/.513 with nine doubles, one triple and eight home runs. German drove in 30 runs, drew 43 walks and stole 33 bases.