Smith ready to compete after signing; Eder, Ogasawara to start Saturday's openers

Veteran reliever Drew Smith officially joined the Nationals today, while manager Blake Butera said Saturday's split-squad starting pitchers will be Jake Eder and Shinnosuke Ogasawara

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS JOURNAL

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Drew Smith officially joined the Nationals today, the veteran right-hander’s minor-league deal finally announced by the club two days after he agreed to terms. And he wasted no time getting to work.

Smith, who made 191 major-league appearances for the Mets over parts of six seasons but hasn’t pitched competitively since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2024, participated in today’s full-squad workout and threw his first bullpen session with the Nats.

The 32-year-old reliever declared himself fully ready to go this spring, with zero restrictions.

“I’m a healthy player,” he said. “I just never got to pitch in the game at the end of the year, so a lot of teams didn’t necessarily see me as that. But I considered myself fully healthy last October.”

Smith went through the final stages of rehab last August and September and was hoping to return to the Mets’ active roster if they reached the postseason. He instead went home disappointed like his teammates at a promising season ending before anyone wanted, then focused on establishing a normal offseason routine in hopes of signing with another organization.

The Nationals came calling earlier this week with an offer that will pay him $1.75 million (plus incentives) if he makes the big-league roster. Given his track record and the dearth of experienced relievers in camp, he stands a good chance of making the Opening Day bullpen as long as he enjoys a healthy and productive spring.

This was the second Tommy John surgery of Smith’s career – he also missed the 2019 season – and historically it has been difficult for pitchers to return to form from it. It’s become a bit more common in recent years, though, and Smith believes his elbow is as strong as ever, ready to thrive under a major-league workload again.

“I think just the modern medicine and what we have nowadays, it’s crazy what we can do with our bodies,” he said. “Even having the same surgery twice, guys can come back just what they were before even the first surgery. So I’ve been pretty much the same throughout the whole rehab process. I haven’t thrown any games, so I’d like to see what my game velo is. But as far as bullpen velo, I’m pretty much in line with what I was in bullpens before.”

The Nationals certainly hope Smith recaptures his pre-surgery form, because they could use all the experienced bullpen help they can get right now.

“He’s just fired up to be here,” manager Blake Butera said. “He’s a competitor, wants to be on the mound, wants the ball. Has battled some injuries and some frustrations throughout his career. But just somebody with really good stuff and has that veteran-type of demeanor and leadership, has been there and done that. We’re just excited to have him.”

EDER, OGASAWARA TO START EXHIBITION OPENERS
Jake Eder, a left-hander acquired in last summer’s trade with the Angels, will start Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener against the Astros in West Palm Beach, with Shinnosuke Ogasawara scheduled to pitch in the Nationals’ other split-squad game against the Marlins in Jupiter.

Eder will get the ball first at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, a somewhat surprising assignment for the 27-year-old, who isn’t believed to be in the mix for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. His selection has little to do with any roster plans, though, and was simply a product of his throwing schedule lining up with Saturday.

Acquired at last summer’s trade deadline as part of the deal that sent veteran relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis Garcia to the Angels, Eder has nine games of major-league experience (all as a reliever). He has been a starter throughout his minor-league career but made only three combined appearances between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester following the trade due to a shoulder injury that has since healed.

“I’m fired up,” Eder said. “I had a little setback with the shoulder injury when I got traded over here, but that feels great. Everything feels good. I made some changes with my stuff this offseason. And I’m really fired up with where it’s at.”

Ogasawara, meanwhile, will be among the players who make the short trip to Jupiter for a split-squad game against the Marlins. The Japanese left-hander was dropped from the 40-man roster this winter but remains in the organization, still making $2 million off the two-year deal he signed in January 2025.