'He's a life-saver': Espino ready to give Nats what they need

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

When the Nationals set their starting rotation at the end of Spring Training, versatile right-hander Paolo Espino thought it would be best to stay prepared in case he was called upon to make a spot start or pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen. He is no stranger to being utilized in multiple roles, especially in his three seasons with the Nats, which included 19 starts last year.

So when Erick Fedde exited after just 1 1/3 innings against the Mets on Monday, manager Dave Martinez needed to fill innings with a shorthanded pitching staff that already was in need of a spot starter for Wednesday. Even though Espino, 35, had pitched more than one inning in an appearance just twice since April 12, Martinez knew what he could count on from the righty when he made the call to the ‘pen.

“He’s a lifesaver, he really is,” Martinez said. “He understands his role very well, and he knows he’s out there to get outs -- and he does it well. Knowing that he could pitch one inning, two innings, three innings and feel good about it, it always helps any manager in a pinch.”

The Nationals had allowed 12 runs to the Mets by the time Espino took the mound in the fifth, only his second appearance of the season before the seventh inning. The veteran tossed three scoreless innings with strong command and dropped his ERA to 2.28 across 17 appearances this season.

“I felt really good, mostly because I know I was able to help the bullpen,” said Espino. “I was able to take as many innings as possible so we didn’t have to use as many guys.”

Over Espino’s four-year Major League career, he has made 22 starts and 44 relief appearances. He begins preparing in the fourth inning in the bullpen in case he gets the call that game. And if the Nats need him to make an extended appearance, Espino won’t be caught off guard.

“I’ve done it so many times before that, for me, it’s just like flipping the switch,” Espino said.