Nationals' Pitcher Shuffle: Mikolas Shines, Cornelio Struggles

It's April 25th. Welcome to Washington Nationals News Today, AI-powered coverage of your squad.

I'm Cory with the story. The Nationals showed off their pitcher shuffle in Friday's game,

a 5-4 loss that highlighted their season-long strategy. They started with lefty P.J.

Pollan opening for the fourth time this year, handling the first inning scoreless before

getting pulled in the second after. Hitting a batter. Then came Better in Miles McColas for

three and two-thirds solid innings. McColas stepped up big after his best start lately,

dropping his ERA below five in recent outings behind openers. He gave up just four hits and two

runs, including a solo homer with no walks and sharp fastball command keeping things tight.

Manager Blake Boutera praised McColas for going deep and staying in the fight,

while the South Paul Bullpen got a workout too. Prospect. Riley Cornelio made his big league debut

in the seventh, fresh from Triple A, where he earned minor league pitcher of the year honors

as a starter. Cornelio hid 98 miles per hour, but struggled with control, walking four and allowing

three runs over two innings in a close game. Boutera called his stuff elite, just a tough night

in a high pressure spot. Postgame, they optioned Cornelio back to Rochester, mirroring last Sunday's

move with Andrew Alvarez, who threw scoreless relief, then got sent down. It's all part of the

net's mixing and matching to build depth without overworking arms.