The Washington Nationals are expected to turn to one of the young aces for Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs
The Washington Nationals will get a fresh look at one of their youngest arms in game two of the series against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.
Left handed pitcher Jackson Kent is expected to start on Wednesday night, per multiple reports, marking his MLB debut. While the Nationals have not announced a corresponding move, veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas was seen saying goodbye to his teammates and coaching staff in the clubhouse following Tuesday's loss. Kent will become the 35th person to throw a pitch for the Nationals this season, while only Cade Cavalli and Jorbit Vivas join Mikolas as the only players on the active roster through the entire season.
Rated the eighth best prospect within the Nationals' farm system, Kent arrived in Washington after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft after earning All Pac-12 honors at the University of Arizona. In his third and final season as a Wildcat, Kent posted a 4.08 ERA with 89 strikeouts across 86 innings before earning multiple weekly awards, now looking to do the same in a Nationals uniform and upgrade rotation.
After beginning his professional career in High A in 2025, Kent appeared in 18 games and tossed 97 strikeouts in 94 innings while owning a 4.31 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. He ended the season spending six games in Double A, posting a 5.59 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .241 batting average.
In 2026, Kent has posted a 9-4 record this season with a 3.72 ERA with 105 total strikeouts against just 30 walks in 94.1 innings. Kent has also held opposing batters to a .216 batting average this season, including a .234 average in Rochester. The bulk of his work came in Triple A Rochester this season where he's tossed more strikeouts than hits allowed, while he's been able to flash his arsenal of pitches with a primarily three pitch mix between his four seam fastball, slider and changeup.
Meanwhile, the Nationals are not expected to activate outfielder James Wood off the ten day injured list this Friday after manager Blake Butera noted the star right fielder took dry swings on Tuesday and started playing catch over the weekend. What a return to play materializes into for Wood now remains to be seen as Dylan Crews has filled in at right field in the meantime.
The Nationals are set to take the field for a 6:45 PM first pitch on Wednesday.
