WASHINGTON -- The Nationals had emphasized that when they called up Luis García this season, it was not going to be for a temporary visit from Triple-A Rochester -- it would be for a daily role in the Major Leagues.

So when the Nats tabbed veterans César Hernández and Alcides Escobar as the starting second baseman and shortstop, respectively, García was optioned to the Red Wings during Spring Training. After playing a combined 110 games for Washington over the past two seasons, García, 22, would be tasked with continuing to develop in the Minors before rejoining the Nationals.

García answered the call. He slashed .314/.368/.531 in 42 games with the Red Wings, and he earned a promotion on June 1 when Escobar was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.

His Minor League success wasn’t fleeting. In his first 14 appearances this season with the Nats, García is batting .352 (19-for-54) with two home runs, including a Statcast-estimated 420-foot dinger on Wednesday that broke up Spencer Strider's no-hit bid in the fifth inning of an 8-2 loss to the Braves at Nationals Park. García jumped on a 98.5 mph fastball from the electric Strider, whose fastball velocity reached 100 mph 10 times in his 5 2/3-inning start.

“From the first at-bat on, I was looking for that fastball,” said García, who felt OK after being hit in the right arm by a pitch in the ninth. “He won the battle in the first at-bat [with a strikeout] … I got to a 3-1 count, and I made sure I was ready for it.”

Said manager Dave Martinez, “It goes to show you how quick Luis' bat is because he hit that ball really well.”

García extended his hitting streak to six games, during which he is hitting .417. He worked this offseason on driving the ball to the middle of the field and improving his swing to be shorter, faster and stronger. A key step in his progress will be following up big at-bats with just as consistent a plate appearance the next time up in the order. García said there are times he is a little anxious in those situations and ends up pulling the ball, and Martinez noted “that is part of being young.”

“He’s been great,” Martinez said. “Sometimes, he tries to do too much, and that’s when you see the ugly swings and misses. So we’ve got to get back and tell him, ‘Hey, stay in the middle of the field.’ I really believe that this kid has the potential -- I’m not going to say he’s going to hit 30 home runs, but he’s going to hit his share of home runs and doubles just because he can square the ball up quite a bit.”

The Nationals have seen such a level of development from García that he has earned the everyday starting shortstop role. Escobar began a rehab assignment with the Red Wings on Wednesday, and when he returns from the injured list, he will have a super utility role to play second base, third base, shortstop, left field and center field.

“He’s going to be that guy where, if we need somebody late in the games -- and also, too, if there’s a tough lefty and we have to give Luis a day off, we will and he can play short, as well,” Martinez said. “But he understands moving forward his role that Luis is going to play every day. Luis has done well so far.”

The 35-year-old Escobar, who homered in his first game with Rochester, understood the decision.

“He’s always said he’ll do whatever,” Martinez said. “When I had him last year, he’s the one that mentioned, ‘I can play everywhere if you need me, I can hit anywhere.’ … I’m glad that he’s feeling a lot better.”