WASHINGTON -- The Nationals’ bullpen will be without one of its top arms for the remainder of the season.
Cole Henry's rookie year came to a halt on Sunday with two weeks remaining in the regular season. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list because of a back strain, one day after allowing two runs and two walks in one-third of an inning against the Pirates.
Facing that obstacle, Washington’s relievers rallied together for the series win.
On Sunday, Mason Thompson, Konnor Pilkington, Jackson Rutledge and Clayton Beeter combined for four scoreless innings in relief of Cade Cavalli in the Nationals’ 4-3 win over the Bucs. It was Beeter’s first career save.
“It stinks that Cole’s down; hopefully it’s not too bad,” said Beeter. “He’s had a great year. So when you lose somebody like that who’s typically thrown in leverage [situations], it definitely makes an impact. But I think we have such a good group down there that we’re all close with each other, we’ve been throwing really well. We just all really believe in each other in any spot. I think we’re confident that we’ll keep it going.”
Henry, 26, successfully shifted from being a starter his entire career to reaching the Major Leagues as a reliever. He made the change in Spring Training, and he was called up for his big league debut on April 13.
Henry went 1-2 with a 4.27 ERA in 52 2/3 innings across 57 appearances. At the time of his injury, he ranked third among Nats relievers in innings pitched.
“Yesterday, his back was sore,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said. “... We didn’t want to take a chance. There’s no need to. He’s going to be on the IL, so he might lose the rest of the season, but looking back, he did a really, really good job in the bullpen, in high leverage. I feel for him, but we don’t want to risk anything with any player.”
The Nationals selected Henry out of LSU in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft. He underwent thoracic outlet surgery in ‘22, putting his pitching future in question. Henry and the Nats found a fit in a new role.
Henry quickly made his mark in Washington’s ‘pen. He began his Major League career with five consecutive scoreless appearances from April 13-26.
Shortly after, he put together the Nationals’ second-longest scoreless streak of the season: 15 1/3 innings from May 2 through June 7. During that stretch, he did not allow a hit from May 10-29.
Henry earned his first big league win on July 2 against the Tigers. The following month, he earned his first save on Aug. 14 against the Phillies. He clinched the ‘W’ by striking out Trea Turner in an eight-pitch at-bat.
“After the past few years, it means a little extra to me,” Henry said that night. “Getting moved to the bullpen this Spring Training, I dreamed of something like this. It was really cool to go out there and do it and shut it down for the first time.”
In Henry’s final 16 appearances this season, he held opponents to a .184 batting average (9-for-49), recorded 15 strikeouts to 12 walks and earned seven holds and two saves. At the time of his IL placement, he ranked fifth in opponent’s batting average (.219) and seventh in opponent’s slugging percentage (.367) among National League rookie pitchers (minimum 50 innings).
“He was electric,” said Cavalli. “He was able to take the ball every day and go up there and put up a zero or give us a chance to stay in a ball game. That’s all you can ask of a guy. … I know the road that he’s been down hadn’t been easy for him. … I think it just built him to be stronger. The way that he’s used that as fuel, it’s been incredible to watch. I’m really, really happy for him.”
In a corresponding move, the Nationals recalled right-hander Orlando Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester. Ribalta, 27, has made 18 relief appearances this season with Washington. He is 0-0 with a 5.48 ERA in 21 1/3 innings, including two scoreless frames in his most recent outing on Sept. 8 in Miami. Ribalta missed 90 games in the first half of the season because of a right biceps strain.