Jarlin Susana is back, and the Nationals have a major decision ahead. The 22-year-old pitching prospect is once again touching 103 mph, but after a UCL sprain, lat surgery and just 14 innings in 2026, questions about his long-term role are getting louder.
In this Nats MinuteCast, Dan Holmi breaks down Susana's electric fastball and slider, his 408 strikeouts in 282 minor-league innings, the command and third-pitch concerns raised by Keith Law, and why a move to the bullpen could eventually make sense. But is Washington anywhere close to making that decision?
The argument here is simple: don't rush it. The Nationals need to find out how good Susana can be as a starter before deciding that his future belongs in relief. His 2026 return has provided flashes of dominant stuff, but the workload is still being rebuilt.
Jarlin Susana. 103 mph. The stuff is back. Now the Nationals have to figure out what comes next.
#Nats #Nationals #Natitude #MLB #JarlinSusana #WashingtonNationals #NatsProspects #Baseball

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The Washington Nationals have blown 35 saves in 2026, putting them just two away from the MLB record. After another disastrous ninth inning against the Miami Marlins, it’s time for the Nationals to stop hoping their bullpen problems will fix themselves.

In this episode of Nats MinuteCast, we break down why Washington needs to make an experienced back-end reliever a major priority this offseason.

The Nationals had a 2-0 lead heading into the ninth before the Marlins scored six runs to turn a potential fourth straight win into another painful loss. It was the latest example of a bullpen that has repeatedly cost Washington games this season.

But this isn't about blaming one pitcher or one bad inning.

It's about recognizing that the Nationals are reaching a different stage of their rebuild.

Washington's young offense is becoming a legitimate foundation. The farm system is improving. The roster is more talented than its record suggests. And that means the Nationals can't afford to keep wasting opportunities because they don't have someone they trust to get the final three outs.

We discuss Blake Butera's call for a pitcher who wants the ball in the ninth, the bullpen arms already developing inside the organization, the potential free-agent market, and why spending money on an experienced closer or high-leverage reliever could be one of the smartest moves Washington makes this winter.

The rebuild is changing.

Now the Nationals need to act like it.

• The Nationals' 35 blown saves
• The disastrous ninth inning against Miami
• Why Washington needs experienced bullpen help
• Clayton Beeter, Orlando Ribalta and the developing relief corps
• Why prospects alone can't be the 2027 bullpen plan
• The case for spending this offseason
• How the Nationals can protect their improving young offense
• Why the ninth inning could define Washington's next step

Nats MinuteCast covers the Washington Nationals, Nationals Park, MLB news, roster moves, prospects, trades, free agency and the future of the Nats.

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Cade Cavalli is becoming the pitcher the Washington Nationals hoped he could be.

Cavalli dominated the Texas Rangers in a 6-0 Nationals victory, striking out 11 batters over six scoreless innings and reaching double-digit strikeouts before the fourth inning was over. After his brilliant no-hit bid against the Cubs, Cavalli followed it up with another statement performance and extended his streak to eight consecutive quality starts.

In this episode of the Nats MinuteCast, Dan Holmi breaks down why Cavalli's emergence could change the Nationals' timeline, why Washington made the controversial decision to move CJ Abrams from shortstop to second base, and what this all means for the next version of the Nationals.

The Nationals finally snapped a four-game losing streak, Andrés Chaparro delivered a huge three-run homer, and the bullpen actually finished the game without the usual drama.

But the biggest story is Cade Cavalli.

The Nationals may finally have their ace. Now they have to build around him.

Cade Cavalli • Washington Nationals • Nationals vs Rangers • 11 strikeouts • CJ Abrams • Nasim Nuñez • Andrés Chaparro • Nationals pitching • Nationals rebuild • Nationals playoff race • Nats news • MLB

#Nats #Nationals #Natitude #MLB #CadeCavalli #WashingtonNationals

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