Washington Nationals pitching prospect Jackson Kent debuts against Cubs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jackson Kent allowed three runs in four-plus innings in his major league debut Wednesday night for Washington against the Chicago Cubs after the Nationals selected the contract of the 23-year-old pitcher from Triple-A Rochester.

The left-hander struck out six while allowing three hits and walking five in Washington's 12-6 loss.

“I really didn’t have my best stuff, I think probably had my C stuff,” Kent said. “So I really don’t need to change anything. It’s just getting better from here.”

Kent was 9-4 with a 3.72 ERA in 20 starts between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester this season. He had 105 strikeouts in 94 1/3 minor league innings.

“There will be nerves,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said before the game. “There will be excitement, of course. There’s no way to hide that. I want him to go out there and make the most of it. You only get one debut and you’re lucky to have it because a lot of people want it. To be able to be in this spot and do it here at home, hopefully he soaks it up and is also he’s able to calm some of those nerves.”

Washington designated right-hander Miles Mikolas for assignment to make room for Kent on the roster.

A fourth-round draft pick in 2024, Kent is one of Washington’s top prospects and could receive an extended look in the season’s final seven weeks. Butera said he thinks Kent has started to develop an identity of a pitcher who can consistently find the zone, amass strikeouts and offer a tough look for hitters.

“That’s not to say he’s going to come up here today and just have it figured out from the jump, but to be able to do what he did in the minor leagues at such a high level, Double-A, Triple-A, it’s not easy. I think he’s earned the opportunity to be up here and make his debut,” Butera said.

Mikolas, who signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal in February, was 3-9 with a 5.82 ERA. Often paired with an opener, the 37-year-old was the oldest player to appear for Washington this season and one of two older than 31. He reached 10 years of major league service time last week.

It is the second time this month the Nationals cut ties with a veteran starter. Washington designated Zack Littell for assignment Aug. 5 and released him two days later. Littell signed Monday with Arizona.

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here