WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� 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 .
鈥淚 really didn鈥檛 have my best stuff, I think probably had my C stuff,鈥� Kent said. 鈥淪o I really don鈥檛 need to change anything. It鈥檚 just getting better from here.鈥�
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.
鈥淭here will be nerves,鈥� Nationals manager Blake Butera said before the game. 鈥淭here will be excitement, of course. There鈥檚 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鈥檙e 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鈥檚 able to calm some of those nerves.鈥�
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鈥檚 top prospects and could receive an extended look in the season鈥檚 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.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 not to say he鈥檚 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鈥檚 not easy. I think he鈥檚 earned the opportunity to be up here and make his debut,鈥� 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.
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