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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: Won't return in 2022
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) won't make a start for the Nationals prior to the end of the regular season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The Nationals hoped that Gore would be able to make his debut for the team prior to the end of the season, but he'll be held out due to uncertain weather. However, he feels healthy heading into the offseason and expects to be back to 100 percent in time for spring training in 2023.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: On track for one MLB start
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Will make another rehab start
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Friday with Triple-A Rochester, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Gore did not encounter any setbacks while throwing 36 pitches Sunday in the first game of his rehab assignment, and as long as a bullpen session Wednesday goes as planned, he will take the ball again five days later. He remains on track to make his Nationals debut before the season comes to a close.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Rehab start set
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday and is expected to make a rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Rochester, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The 23-year-old threw 37 pitches over two simulated innings earlier this week and is now set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A. Gore will likely require multiple starts in the minors before being cleared to rejoin the big-league club, but he could be ready to join the Nationals in late September for a couple starts.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Throws bullpen session
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) threw another bullpen session Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
For now, the ultimate goal of having Gore return to pitch in games for the Nationals before the end of the season seems to be viable. Next up, the young lefty is scheduled to throw 50 pitches in a simulated game next week.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Throws off mound
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) threw off a mound Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Gore increased his throwing distance to 120 feet last week, and Wednesday's throwing session marked the first time that he's thrown off a mound since joining the Nationals. The southpaw still needs to ramp up his intensity, but the team hopes that he'll be able to return prior to the end of the regular season.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Close to mound work
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) has been throwing up to 120 feet and could throw a bullpen session as early as this weekend, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Gore has been on the injured list with left elbow soreness since the end of July, but he's been cleared to begin a throwing program. While the southpaw wouldn't throw with much intensity if he's able to resume mound work soon, he seems to be trending in the right direction in his recovery process.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Begins throwing next week
Rotowire
Gore (elbow) will begin playing catch at Nationals Park next Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade, Gore finished his time in San Diego on the injured list with a sore elbow. The lefty showed flashes prior to hitting the shelf, posting a 2.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over his first 10 starts in the big leagues. Gore was a big-time prospect and the Nationals will likely take it slow with his recovery in hopes of getting him back to that early-season form.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Joins Nats in blockbuster deal
Rotowire
The Nationals acquired Gore (elbow), first baseman Luke Voit, infielder CJ Abrams, outfielders James Wood and Robert Hassell and right-hander Jarlin Susana from the Padres on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Gore was placed on the injured list last week with left elbow inflammation and soreness, but no structural damage was detected and he's expected to continue treating the injury through rest and rehab. Though Gore is unlikely to be ready to come off the IL until September, so long as he avoids surgery to address the injury, the 23-year-old will be a high-upside addition to a Nationals rotation that's currently short on impact arms. After a turbulent, injury-plagued minor-league season in 2021, Gore showed up healthy to spring training and pushed his way onto the Padres' Opening Day roster. Gore held down a rotation spot for the better part of the first half and struck out more than a batter per inning, but a few blowups in June and July inflated his ERA and WHIP to 4.50 and 1.47, respectively, before he landed on the IL. He'll look to return healthy by season's end to set the stage for a full-time appointment in the Washington rotation to begin the 2023 campaign.
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Padres' MacKenzie Gore: Going rest, rehab route
Rotowire
An MRI on Gore's elbow revealed no structural damage and the expectation is that he will be shut down for two weeks before beginning a throwing program, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Cassavell says the Padres are very encouraged by the MRI results. There may not be enough time for Gore to ramp all the way back up and rejoin the big club this season, but that hasn't been ruled out. The main takeaway is that Gore will not be headed for surgery, at least not yet.
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Padres' MacKenzie Gore: Hopes to avoid surgery
Rotowire
Gore could be able to avoid surgery on his elbow, but he'll continue to be evaluated for the next few days, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Gore was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday and the team's medical staff is still determining the extent of his injury. While it's possible the southpaw will be able to recover with a period of rest and rehab, it seems likely he'll need more than the minimum 15 days on the shelf.
