Mitchell Parker eyes continued success for Nats in matchup with Pirates

The Washington Nationals have yet to lose one of left-hander Mitchell Parker's starts this season and hope to keep that streak going on Wednesday night when they take on the host Pittsburgh Pirates.

Parker (2-0, 1.96 ERA) will oppose Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter (0-2, 7.20) in the third game of a four-game series. The teams have split the first two games.

The Nationals hope to learn more Wednesday about the status of third baseman Paul DeJong, who was hit by a pitch in the face during Tuesday night's 3-0 Washington win.

DeJong was hit under his left eye and near his nose by a 92.7 mph fastball from Pirates starter Mitch Keller in the sixth inning and was forced to leave the game. DeJong walked off holding a towel to his face after he suffered a cut on his nose and under his eye.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said he didn't have a further update on DeJong, but that he would undergo a CT scan.

DeJong's potential absence could further deplete an infield already without starting shortstop CJ Abrams, who went on the 10-day injured list this past weekend with a right hip flexor strain.

The Nationals are optimistic Abrams could rejoin the club as soon as he is eligible to come off the IL on April 22 or soon after.

"He's definitely making good progress," Martinez said Tuesday. "He hit in the cage. He's doing some strengthening, and it's coming along really well. Hopefully by the time his (IL) stint is up, he'll be ready to go and back on the field."

Parker won his first two starts this season, but he finished with a no-decision Friday after pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs (four overall) on five hits and two walks while striking out three in his team's 7-4 victory over Miami.

Parker has made one career start against Pittsburgh, last September, and came away with a no-decision after allowing four runs on six hits and four walks over 3 1/3 innings.

The Pirates have yet to win a game that Falter has started, losing all three this season. In his most recent outing, Falter walked five and allowed five runs (three earned) on three hits over five innings Friday while striking out four in a game the Pirates lost 5-3 to the Cincinnati Reds. Falter is 4-0 with a 2.76 ERA, however, in eight career appearances, including five starts, against the Nationals.

Pittsburgh's offense reverted to its anemic ways on Tuesday a day after breaking out for a season-high 10 runs and 14 hits. The Pirates were held to four singles and had only one runner reach second base, resulting in their third shutout loss of the season.

"We have to have more consistent at-bats," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. "We've got to give ourselves an opportunity to be in games where we're on the advantage side of it."

The Pirates placed catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a lacerated right index finger he suffered during Monday's 10-3 win. Rodriguez was catching when he was hit on the hand by a pitch in the dirt by Paul Skenes. The injury required five stitches. Pittsburgh recalled right-hander Chase Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis.

-Field Level Media