Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Shaky against former team
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Gore didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Padres, giving up three runs on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.
The southpaw could have had a much worse night, as San Diego has runners in scoring position in four of the five innings Gore was on the mound, but he was able to escape some of the jams he created. It wasn't the performance the 24-year-old would have liked against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2017, but the Nats got him off the hook for a loss after he exited. Gore's 3.88 ERA on the year disguises a 1.53 WHIP, but his 63:27 K:BB through 51 innings highlights his potential if he can sharpen his control. He next lines up to take the mound this weekend in Kansas City.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Fans seven in Wednesday's loss
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Gore (3-3) took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals were downed 4-3 by the Marlins, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.
The southpaw tossed 60 of 93 pitches for strikes before exiting, but the Marlins were able to hit him hard when he was in the strike zone, with Jorge Soler's two-run homer in the fourth inning proving to be the biggest blow. Gore's 29.0 percent strikeout rate on the season remains encouraging, though it comes with an 11.5 percent walk rate. He'll take a 3.69 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 58:23 K:BB through 46.1 innings into his next outing, likely to come at home early next week against the Padres.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Bounces back with strong outing
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Gore pitched six innings against Arizona on Saturday, allowing two runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. He did not factor in the decision.
After lasting just four frames against the Cubs in his previous trip to the mound, Gore rebounded with his third quality start across his past four contests Saturday. The southpaw fell one shy of his campaign high by racking up nine punchouts, and he issued just one walk, his fewest so far this season. Gore has shown marked improvement over his uneven 2022 rookie campaign, posting a 3.65 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 48:19 K:BB across 37 innings. If he can work to keep the free passes down, Gore could become an even more attractive option in fantasy leagues, though he's already worth rostering in all but very shallow formats.
Gore (3-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Monday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over four-plus innings. He struck out four batters.
Gore enjoyed his best start of the campaign his last time out, striking out 10 batters and giving up just one run across six innings in a win over the Mets. The southpaw was unable to carry that success over to his start against Chicago, as he gave up a pair of runs in the first inning and two more in the fifth before being pulled. The four runs were a season worst for Gore, while his strikeout total was his lowest of the campaign thus far. Gore has demonstrated some promising progress in his second MLB campaign, highlighted by an 11.3 K/9 and a respectable 3.77 ERA. However, his 1.42 WHIP and 5.2 BB/9 are concerning.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Sleeper pitchers for Week 6 (May 1-7)
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MacKenzie Gore's 10-strikeout performance against the Mets last time out really put the start to his season into perspective. While the walks are a bit concerning, the stuff is playing up, and he'll get two bats at the apple this week, facing the Cubs and Diamondbacks.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Possible waiver wire pickups
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MacKenzie Gore might be the priority target over Tanner Bibee on a day when both of them turned heads because, well, at least we know he's sticking around. It's also becoming increasingly clear that his stuff will indeed play. His fastball regularly touched 97 mph Wednesday, and he was just blowing it by the Mets, generating 12 of his 19 swinging strikes on that pitch alone. The most surefire indicator of a high pitcher ceiling is an ability to get whiffs on the fastball, and Gore has delivered on that twice in a row, generating nine of his 18 whiffs on the fastball last time out. He struggled with control in that one and has all year, but he's also up to 11.7 K/9. You can't let the walks scare you away from the upside.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Takes first loss of season
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Gore (2-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks over six innings against Baltimore. He struck out seven.
Gore has been the best starting pitcher on the Nationals this season, leading the rotation in ERA (3.43), strikeouts (25) and wins. The former Padre is on pace to shatter his total of 70 innings pitched in his rookie season last year, barring any health issues. The third overall pick in the 2017 draft is tentatively scheduled to face the Mets at Citi Field in his next outing.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Runs up pitch count against Halos
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Gore didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Angels, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out six.
The strikeouts were impressive, but the southpaw needed 88 pitches to record his 11 outs, and he got the hook after walking in Hunter Renfroe with two outs in the fourth inning. Gore's line would have looked a lot worse had Mason Thompson not bailed him out by getting Taylor Ward to ground out with the bases loaded to end the frame. Gore sports a 3.00 ERA and 18:10 K:BB through three starts and 15 innings, but he'll need to sharpen his control if he's going to maintain palatable ratios. His next trip to the mound is likely to come next week at home against the Orioles.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Gives up two in victory
Rotowire
Gore (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits over six innings in Friday's victory over the Rockies. He struck out six while walking two.
Gore has pitched well in the first two appearances of the year, and he's picked up victories in both outings. The left-hander gave up a long homer to Ryan McMahon in the second and a run-scoring single to Yonathan Daza in the fourth. Gore now has a 2.38 ERA over 11.1 innings with a 12:6 K:BB. It's easy to understand why he isn't long removed from being considered the best pitching prospect in baseball.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Picks up victory
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Gore (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and four walks over 5.1 innings Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over Atlanta.
Gore cruised through three shutout frames before Atlanta finally put one on the board in the fourth. He gave up two hits and a walk during that inning. The 24-year-old lefty forced 13 swinging strikes, including seven on his fastball that topped out at 96.5 mph. Gore is lined up for a start in Colorado next week.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Blanks Yanks
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Gore gave up two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings while striking out eight in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
The southpaw was dominant against a New York lineup that featured most of its Opening Day starters, including Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres. Gore has a 17:7 K:BB through 20 innings this spring, and the Nationals will be counting on the 24-year-old to become a consistent rotation arm this season after he worked only 87 innings across all levels in 2022.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Spring struggles continue
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Gore gave up five runs on nine hits and two walks over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out three.
Facing a Houston lineup that was a mix of Opening Day starters and guys competing for bench roles, Gore's command wavered all afternoon, particularly against Jeremy Pena as the shortstop tagged him for home runs in the third and fourth innings. Gore's talent is undeniable, but until the young southpaw shows some consistency he'll be a risky fantasy option. Through 14 innings this spring, he has a 9:6 K:BB and has served up three homers.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Shaky outing Sunday
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Gore allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over four innings while striking out three in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
Facing a lineup of St. Louis prospects and bench players, Gore didn't seem to be fooling many people at the plate -- three of the four hits off the southpaw went for extra bases, including a Kramer Robertson homer -- as he gave up a pair of runs in each of his first two frames before settling down. The fact that he did battle through and deliver two clean innings before exiting is encouraging though, and Gore finished his day having thrown 65 pitches (38 strikes). The 24-year-old appears close to ready for Opening Day, but his biggest hurdle in 2023 will be to simply stay healthy and take a regular turn in the rotation -- Gore tossed 87 innings across all levels last year, and his career high for innings is only 101, a mark he set in 2019 between High-A and Double-A in the Padres system.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Looks good in first spring action
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Gore worked a scoreless first inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, allowing one hit and striking out one.
The left-hander tossed 13 of 18 pitches for strikes, topping out at 96 mph with his fastball while mixing in his slider and curve and even tossing one changeup to Paul Goldschmidt. Gore hadn't seen action in an MLB game since last July, so the Nationals will bring him along slowly in camp in an effort to keep him healthy, but the 24-year-old is on track to open the regular season in the rotation. He had an impressive start to the 2022 campaign, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 57:17 K:BB in 48 innings for the Padres through his first nine big-league appearances before his elbow began acting up, and the Nats believe he can regain something close to that form after picking him up in last year's Juan Soto trade.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Gets call for Grapefruit opener
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) will start for the Nationals in their Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Cardinals, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Then it'll be Trevor Williams and Josiah Gray handling the two split-squad games on Sunday, followed by Patrick Corbin versus the Cardinals on Tuesday. Gore did not wind up pitching for the Nationals last season after coming over in the Juan Soto trade, but he seems to be past the elbow issues that caused that delay. The talented 23-year-old might be ready for a full-on breakout if his health cooperates in 2023.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Healthy for spring training
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Gore (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and appears to be entering spring training as a full participant, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
After being shipped to Washington last July in the Juan Soto blockbuster, Gore didn't get a chance to make his Nationals debut while he recovers from left elbow soreness and inflammation. The 23-year-old lefty was at least able to make four minor-league rehab starts in September, and he likely would have been ready to pitch for the big club in October had the season lasted another week or two. With a full offseason to further heal from the injury, Gore should open camp with a good shot at claiming a back-end spot in the big-league rotation. During his first taste of the majors with San Diego in 2022, Gore submitted a 4.50 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 72:37 K:BB across 70 frames.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: On track for one MLB start
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Gore (elbow) is trending toward making one start for the Nationals before the end of the season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Gore gave up six earned runs on six hits, including three home runs, while walking one and striking out three over 3.2 innings in his rehab start Monday at Triple-A. The young lefty said he felt really good about his first three innings but felt fatigue in the fourth inning. Gore will throw a long bullpen session this week, and assuming that goes well, he will likely make a start this weekend against the Phillies.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Another rehab start coming Monday
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Gore (elbow) will make another rehab start for Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Gore has made three rehab starts already in Triple-A while dealing with inflammation in his elbow, allowing just one run over 8.1 innings of work. Monday looks to be his longest outing yet -- up to five innings. Assuming this would be his final start in the minors, he would still be able to make his Nationals debut before the end of the season.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Next rehab outing Wednesday
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Paul Mancano of MASNSports.com reports.
Gore threw 57 pitches over 2.2 frames in his second rehab outing Friday, and he'll continue building up his workload with Rochester on Wednesday. It's possible the 23-year-old is cleared to return from the injured list early next week, which would allow him to make two starts for the Nationals before the end of the season.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Works 2.2 frames in rehab start
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Gore (elbow) struck out two and worked around four hits and two walks to cover 2.2 scoreless innings in his most recent rehab start Friday for Triple-A Rochester.
Gore tossed 57 pitches (32 strikes) in his second rehab outing for Rochester after a two-and-a-half-month shutdown due to his left elbow injury. Per MLB.com, Gore has rejoined the Nationals and is scheduled throw a bullpen session Tuesday in Atlanta, but he'll require at least one more rehab start at Triple-A later this week prior to being activated from the 15-day injured list. Assuming he's free of any setbacks following his upcoming rehab outing, Gore could make one or two starts for the big club before the regular season ends Oct. 5.
