Roster Reshuffling Ahead of Opening Day
With fewer than three weeks until Opening Day, the Nationals have initiated another round of roster cuts from their big league camp. Among the changes, Venezuelan pitcher Andry Lara—once a highly regarded international prospect—has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester. He joins reliever Cole Henry, while right-handed pitcher Joan Adon and southpaw Konnor Pilkington have been reassigned to minor league camp.
A Promising Turnaround for Andry Lara
Signed in 2019 for $1.25 million and once ranked as the No. 21 overall player by MLB Pipeline, Lara’s early career did not mirror the lofty expectations. After posting an ERA exceeding 5.50 over more than 100 innings between Single-A Fredericksburg and A+ Wilmington, his breakthrough season in 2024 marked a significant turnaround. Earning a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg, Lara reduced his ERA to 3.63 and delivered a stellar finish to the season. In his final five starts, he allowed only seven earned runs, highlighted by a dominant stretch featuring a 25:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio and an exceptional one-hit performance against Bowie.
Key Performances and Setbacks
Lara made an impression during Spring Training, appearing on February 25 against the Miami Marlins and conceding only one hit in an inning of work. However, his first encounter with tougher competition came on March 4 against the St. Louis Cardinals when he yielded a go-ahead, two-run home run. His assignment to Triple-A Rochester is viewed as a further step in his gradual climb toward the major league level.
Additional Changes in the Pitching Staff
The roster adjustments also affected Cole Henry, whose recent outings have showcased notable strength in the bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander has remained unscathed by earned runs over 4.2 innings, tallying nine strikeouts without issuing a walk. His reassignment, along with the moves involving Joan Adon and Konnor Pilkington, reflects the Nationals’ ongoing strategy to fine-tune their pitching staff ahead of the season.
Looking Toward the Future
As the team approaches Opening Day, these personnel moves underline the organization’s commitment to developing talent and ensuring readiness at the major league level. For Lara, the transition to Triple-A Rochester marks an important phase in his developmental journey—a step that brings him closer to realizing his potential at the highest level of the game.
