Irvin makes efficient return from IL at same park where he got injured

Two months ago, Jake Irvin was in the midst of hurling five no-hit innings at Truist Park when the best outing of his season was cut short. He was experiencing shoulder tightness and exited the game. An MRI revealed a right shoulder strain.

That was on May 23.

After missing 56 games, Irvin returned from the injured list to the Nationals’ starting rotation. He made his comeback at that very same park looking to pick up where he left off.

“It was great,” Irvin told reporters. “[It was] funny to come back to the place where I last threw. But it felt really good. Good to be back out there competing.”

On Thursday in Atlanta, Irvin worked efficiently to complete five-plus innings on 61 pitches against the Braves. He completed his first three frames on a total of 23 pitches, with only six needed in the third. Irvin had worked on his changeup and cutter during his rehab, and he saw the results translate.

“The more you can keep guys off-balance, I think the better,” Irvin said. “I was trying to do my best to do that.”

Irvin did not allow a baserunner until the second batter of the fourth inning during the Nationals’ 5-4 loss to the Braves. Slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. is finding his rhythm, too, after being sidelined. Acuña lifted a sinker from Irvin a Statcast-projected 421 feet for his first home run since returning from the IL on Monday.

Irvin was one out away from completing five innings on less than 60 pitches. James Wood got a late jump on a Dominic Smith line drive to right field, and Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-run homer in the next at-bat.

“It was pretty amazing how quickly he got through those first few innings and on such a low pitch count,” manager Blake Butera told reporters.

The Nationals had targeted 75 pitches since Irvin had thrown 63 pitches in his final rehab start last Friday with Double-A Harrisburg. With his pitch count still low, Irvin returned to the mound for the sixth inning in a 3-3 tie.

But when he issued back-to-back walks to Drake Baldwin and Acuña, Butera made the call to the bullpen for lefty Carson Palmquist. Irvin allowed five runs off three hits and two walks while striking out one.

“He was in the zone a ton until that sixth inning,” said Butera. “And that was also the first time he's had a sixth up since he's gone down [to a Minor League rehab assignment]. … We felt like he was in a spot to go back out there in the sixth. But once he let those first two guys get on, we wanted him out of there just in case there was any fatigue or anything.”

Butera checked in on Irvin’s health as soon as he got to the mound for the pitching change.

“I felt good [after five innings],” Irvin said. “Just need to execute a heck of a lot better there in the sixth inning.”

Irvin’s return to the mound is valuable for the Nationals just four days ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline. It helps the Nats evaluate the state of their starting rotation, especially as left-hander Foster Griffin is at the center of trade buzz. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported on Thursday that a contract extension between the Nationals and Griffin is unlikely.

The team already addressed its need for a starting pitcher last weekend by acquiring southpaw Connelly Early -- who is expected to come off the IL in August -- from the Red Sox.

“It's fun,” said Irvin. “We're playing competitive baseball, and that's what it's all about this time of year.”

Irvin’s next start is not scheduled until after the Trade Deadline. He could have new teammates by then. The goal remains the same, though.

“It’s just staying in your process,” Irvin said. “It's so important to just continue to be who you are. The game is no different, and I think pressure is an obstacle if you make it one. But the reality is, pressure is abstract, and we're out here just staying in ballgames and trying to go pitch to pitch.”