Washington Nationals pitching prospect Jackson Kent had a mixed major league debut in a start against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night after his contract was selected from Triple-A Rochester.
Kent, who was 9-4 with a 3.72 ERA in 20 starts between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester this season, gave up three runs and threw 78 pitches over four-plus innings. He allowed three hits with six strikeouts and five walks. The Cubs won the game 12-6.
"There will be excitement, of course," Nationals manager Blake Butera said pregame of Kent, who had 105 strikeouts in 94⅓ minor league innings. "There's 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're 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's able to calm some of those nerves."
Washington designated right-hander Miles Mikolas for assignment to make room for Kent on the roster.
Kent, a left-hander who was a fourth-round draft pick in 2024, is one of Washington's top prospects and could receive an extended look in the season's 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.
"That's not to say he's 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's not easy. I think he's earned the opportunity to be up here and make his debut."
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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.