Joe Blanton to make Nationals debut Friday
But Washington Nationals Manager Dusty Baker has reiterated that Blanton, who officially signed with the Nationals on March 2, reported to camp in better shape than he expected. He came nearly ready to pitch in games. And after throwing a bullpen and facing hitters Tuesday, the right-hander is slated to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Cardinals.
“I mean, that’s his first,” Baker said Thursday when asked about Blanton’s live batting practice session. “It doesn’t really matter how he threw it, how he looked. What matters to me is in a couple weeks. He was ahead of where I thought he’d be though. I mean, he wasn’t satisfied but I don’t know him that well. He might be a guy who’s never satisfied. So I like I said, I haven’t learned him yet and all I know is he came in great shape. He came in outstanding shape. … I didn’t know him. This is the best I’ve seen him. That’s a good sign.”
The 36-year-old Blanton signed a one-year contract worth $4 million — with $3 million deferred to 2018 and 2019 — plus another $1 million in possible incentives. A starter for over a decade, Blanton converted to reliever full-time in 2015 and was one of the best in baseball with the Dodgers last season. The right-hander posted a 2.48 ERA and the 13th-best batting average against in baseball across 80 innings in 75 appearances.
>>> While Blanton will debut Friday, Baker said catcher Matt Wieters will make his Sunday against the Astros. Wieters, a switch-hitter who signed with the Nationals Feb. 24., said he’d ideally compile 20-30 at-bats from each side and catch seven to 10 games before Opening Day.
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>>>Team USA Manager Jim Leyland told reporters Thursday that Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark will pitch in relief of Marcus Stroman against the Dominican Republic at Marlins Park Saturday. Meanwhile, Daniel Murphy could be the designated hitter for Team USA in group play, which begins against Colombia Friday, after playing the role in the Americans’ exhibition against the Twins Wednesday. Murphy batted seventh and went 0 for 4. Ian Kinsler started at second base and led off.
>>> A.J. Cole tossed four no-hit innings, Joe Nathan allowed two runs in his inning of relief, and Derek Norris and Bryce Harper each cracked a solo home run in Washington’s 2-2 tie with the Marlins Thursday. It was Norris’s second home run and the third for Harper. It was the Nationals’ second tie of the spring.
DAYS UNTIL OPENING DAY: 24
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