Parker to finish season in 'pen as Nats give rookie a shot

NEW YORK -- After making 30 starts in a frustrating season, left-hander Mitchell Parker will pitch out of the Nationals’ bullpen for the rest of the year.

Parker is 8-16 with a 5.85 ERA across 158 1/3 innings. He has accumulated the most losses and holds the highest ERA among all pitchers who qualify for the ERA title this season.

“Obviously, this year hasn't been ideal,” Parker, 25, said on Friday. “Really, it is what it is. Roles change, goal stays the same: still got to pitch, still got to get guys out, still trying to win ballgames.”

With this change, 26-year-old rookie southpaw Andrew Alvarez will remain in the starting rotation. Alvarez had gone 1-0 with a 1.15 ERA in his first three Major League starts before being stifled by the Mets on Friday. In 3 1/3 innings, his shortest career outing, he allowed seven hits, six runs (four earned), one walk and struck out four.

“We want to see Alvarez start a few more games with us,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said prior to the Nationals’ 12-6 loss to the Mets at Citi Field. “He's been doing a good job, and we just want to see him pitch a little bit more.

“Mitchell threw 30 starts in the big leagues and 29 last year. Going in the bullpen, it might be a little different, but it gives a chance for him to throw less. And it will be a big help [for us] over there in the bullpen.”

Parker, a fifth-round pick in the 2020 Draft, turned heads last season with a strong big league debut against the Dodgers. He compiled a 7-10 record and 4.29 ERA in 29 starts.

Parker struggled to find consistency in 2025, though. His outings varied from hurling eight shutout innings against the Orioles on April 22 to allowing six runs (five earned) in just 1 2/3 frames versus the Phillies on Aug. 17.

Parker last started on Monday against the Braves. He surrendered six runs off 10 hits across five innings.

“[The difference this season is] not keeping us in close ballgames,” Parker said. “It’s hard to win when you’re spotting the other team a couple runs every day. It sucks, but it’s baseball.”

Parker’s strikeout rate has dipped from 7.9 to 5.7 per nine innings. Moving forward, he is looking to limit damage with two strikes. Seven of the 25 home runs he gave up this season were in two-strike counts.

“Those are pitcher’s counts for a reason,” Parker said. “And I've not been executing on them.”

Parker is going to learn his new role “on the fly,” he said. The Nationals envision him pitching multiple innings. Bullpen coach Ricky Bones has been helping Parker prepare, and Parker observed and talked with the Nationals’ relievers this week.

“When he’s in the strike zone and he attacks the hitters, he is dominant,” said Cairo. “I love that. And I know he can help us. He can come and give us a couple innings or three innings if we need to. It just depends on how the situation of the game goes.”

Alvarez debuted on Sept. 1 when MacKenzie Gore was sidelined by left shoulder inflammation. In his next turn in the rotation, Cairo hopes to see Alvarez mix his pitches and overcome getting behind in counts.

“Bouncing back, honestly,” Alvarez said of what he wants to show the Nationals. “Getting out there and competing. It’s just one game. It’s going to happen, you’re going to give up runs. But just keep fighting and get prepared for the next one.”