Washington Nationals news & notes: 2018 4th Round pick Jake Irvin gets opportunity and he sticks around...

Davey Martinez talked to Jake Irvin the day before the Washington Nationals' 26-year-old, 2018 4th Round pick made his MLB debut so he could go through his usual routine the day of his first outing. The sixth-year manager told the right-hander to do what he'd been doing in the minors on the way up and keep pounding the strike zone and attacking hitters. Irvin put up a 3.80 ERA overall in four seasons in the Nats' system, though he missed the '21 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and had a 5.64 ERA and a 5.27 FIP, 4.43 BB/9, and 8.06 K/9 in five starts at Triple-A Rochester early this season before he learned he got the call.