The Nationals announced today that right-hander Andry Lara has been recalled to serve as the 27th man for today’s doubleheader. He will be making his major league debut as soon as he gets into a game.
Though the 22-year-old is still looking for his major league debut, it’s not his first time in the majors. The Nats also recalled him to serve as the 27th man for a doubleheader on April 20th, but he didn’t get into either contest that day and was sent right back down to the minors.
It seems more likely that he will be needed this time. In the first contest today, starter Trevor Williams allowed six runs in the first inning, requiring 54 pitches to get through the frame. With still most of that game to go and another contest after that, it seems like Lara will be needed at some point.
Lara was an international signing out of Venezuela. He had a breakout season in 2024, tossing 134 2/3 innings over 25 starts, mostly at the Double-A level. He had a 3.34 earned run average on the year, as well as a 24.3% strikeout rate and 8.1% walk rate.
The Nats didn’t want to lose him in the most recent Rule 5 draft, so they added him to the 40-man in November. That’s why he has been called upon twice for these doubleheaders. Apart from that, he has mostly been hurt. He has only tossed 16 1/3 minor league innings on the year with a 7.71 ERA.
In the long run, Lara could be rotation depth or eventually moved to the bullpen. For today, he should be able to make his debut in a long relief role. He has mostly been throwing three to four innings in his outings this year, putting him in position to soak up some frames for the Nats today.
Photo courtesy of Sam Navarro, Imagn Images