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Nationals' Jackson Kent: Chased in fifth inning in MLB debut
Rotowire
Kent took a no-decision against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks in four-plus innings. He struck out six.
Kent delivered four scoreless innings to open the game, but he was unable to record an out in the fifth after allowing three consecutive baserunners in the frame. The 23-year-old southpaw was making his MLB debut Wednesday, and he's looking at a potentially extended stay in Washington's rotation while the Nationals wait on Connelly Early (elbow) to get healthy. Kent's next outing is tentatively projected to come in Texas.
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Nationals' Jackson Kent: Promoted ahead of MLB debut
Rotowire
The Nationals selected Kent's contract from Triple-A Rochester ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Cubs in Washington, D.C.
Washington designated right-hander Miles Mikolas for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Kent, who will be making his MLB debut Wednesday and looks poised to stick in the rotation for the balance of the season. The 23-year-old lefty has split time between Rochester and Double-A Harrisburg this season, pitching to a 3.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 19.4 K-BB% across 94.1 innings.
The Nationals will promote Kent from Triple-A Rochester to start Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.
Kent began the season at Double-A Harrisburg but is now officially set for his second promotion of the year after posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 63.2 innings in 13 starts at Rochester. The Nationals already have an open spot in their rotation after designating Zack Littell for assignment last week, so Kent could remain with the big club for the rest of the season if he hits the ground running in the majors.
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Nationals' Jackson Kent: MLB debut on tap
Rotowire
The Nationals intend to call up Kent from Triple-A Rochester to make his MLB debut this week, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
One of the top upper-level pitching prospects in the organization, Kent will be summoned from Triple-A to fill the vacancy in the big-league rotation that was created when the Nationals designated Zack Littell for assignment last week. The 23-year-old lefty is in line for his second promotion of 2026, as he opened the campaign at Double-A Harrisburg before moving up to Triple-A on May 21. Over 13 starts with Rochester, Kent turned in a 4.38 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 67:22 K:BB across 63.2 innings. He made his most recent appearance at Triple-A last Wednesday, so he'll presumably slot into the rotation at some point during the Nationals' three-game home series versus the Cubs that begins Tuesday.
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Nationals' Jackson Kent: Velocity jump at Double-A
Rotowire
Kent has seen his velocity jump significantly this season, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
An unheralded left-hander taken in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, Kent struggled to a 5.59 ERA in six starts last season with Double-A Harrisburg as his pitchability couldn't make up for a mediocre fastball in the low 90s. This year in a return to Double-A, the 23-year-old is popping 95 mph, and the result has been a 3.14 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB in his first 14.1 innings. Kent has a long way to go to get on the prospect radar, but he flashes a plus changeup and has elite extension along with a couple of work-in-progress breaking pitches, so the foundation is there for a big-league arsenal if his development curve continues pointing up.
