Higher-leverage innings in Finnegan's future

Kyle Finnegan entered Tuesday with a total of 3 2/3 innings of Major League experience. His three outings this season have been enough for manager Dave Martinez to consider the possibility of the 28-year-old rookie as an option for high-leverage situations.

“I think he can help us in a lot of different ways,” Martinez said. “He’s going to get the opportunity to pitch. … He could be one of those special kids that has something in him that we know we could use him in situations where he can get big outs.”

The right-hander made his big league debut on July 25, seven years after being selected by the Athletics in the sixth round of the 2013 Draft. With an even-keeled demeanor in the clubhouse and a locked-in focus on the mound, Finnegan has struck out one batter and surrendered two hits without allowing a run or a walk. His fastball is averaging 95 mph, per Statcast.

“He’s got great stuff,” Martinez said. “He’s got a good fastball, live fastball, a good slider and I know him and [pitching coach] Paul [Menhart] are working on a changeup that’s going to help him out a lot.”

Between injuries and pitching woes, there are opportunities for new faces in the Nats’ bullpen to make an impact. Martinez sees similarities between Finnegan and Tanner Rainey, who has emerged as a late-inning option in his third season.

“It kind of reminds me of where Rainey was last year,” Martinez said. “If he can continue to do what he’s been doing -- which is one, throw strikes; two, work ahead of hitters; and three, go out there and show poise -- that is huge. That’s a big step, and that’s something that we noticed with Rainey as he matured a little bit last year and now coming into this year.”

Finnegan has been waiting for his Major League moment for seven years, and he is showing that passion each time he releases the ball.

“I like him,” Martinez said. “He’s very poised, good kid. Has a lot of energy, but he doesn’t seem to get rattled at anything. He’s got one heartbeat.”

Middle-lineup power

The middle of the Nationals’ lineup was a question mark after the departure of Anthony Rendon in free agency. So far, Martinez has been pleased with the offensive production when batting Starlin Castro third, followed by left-handed hitter Juan Soto, right-handed hitter Howie Kendrick and the switch-hitting Asdrúbal Cabrera.

Entering Tuesday's game against the Mets, Cabrera and Castro were tied as team leaders with 15 hits. Castro tops the Nationals in runs scored (eight) and Cabrera paces the team in homers (three) and RBIs (11).

“With Starlin hitting third, we know that he’s not going to walk a whole lot, but we do know that he puts the ball in play and we do know that he gets a lot of hits. He’s always up in the hits category every year,” Martinez said. “So I like him hitting ahead of Juan because he gets on base. [I’m] not necessarily worried about him stealing a base, so it gives Juan an opportunity to hit with somebody on. Then with Howie behind Juan, Howie protects Soto a lot, and then you’ve got Cabby behind him. So the way our lineup sets up, the way these guys can move the ball around, I like our lineup a lot.”

Dad strength

Shortstop Trea Turner and his wife, Kristen, announced on Saturday they are expecting their first child. On Tuesday, Kristen announced on Twitter that the couple is having a boy. Since sharing the news of the pregnancy, Turner has gone 5-for-13, snapping an 0-for-18 skid. On Monday, he broke out at the plate by going 3-for-5 with a homer, three RBIs and two runs scored.

Asked if Turner has newfound “dad strength,” Martinez replied with a laugh. “It could be. It could also mean that he’s got another mouth to feed, so he needs to play better. He told us all that he’s having a little boy. That’s exciting, the first one. It’s always exciting, so kudos to him.”

Then Martinez paused to share some personal news of his own,

“I’ll announce too, I’m going to be another granddad, my first grandson,” he said, smiling. “We just found out a couple days ago, so I’m excited about that.”