After making his Major League debut last season at age 32, outfielder Yadiel Hernandez is putting up numbers in Spring Training reflective of a player who has established his place in the bigs.

Hernandez, a lefty batter, is slashing .500/.533/.731 with a 1.264 OPS in 26 at-bats over 16 games. He leads the Nationals in hits (13), is tied for third in runs (6), and is tied for fourth in home runs (2) and RBIs (5). Hernandez’s hit total was tied for eighth among all players after Sunday’s action.

“I think he feels [like he’s a] part of the group,” manager Dave Martinez said. “Last year, he came in and he got some time in the big leagues. … He's having a lot of fun, and he knows that he can play here.”

Hernandez appeared in 12 games for the Nationals in 2020, including seven starts (one in right field, six as the designated hitter). This season, though, Martinez has a specific criteria for the fourth outfielder role, previously held by Michael A. Taylor. Andrew Stevenson has emerged as the top candidate this spring.

“It's tough,” Martinez said. “The biggest thing is, when you look at those pieces -- especially in the outfield -- that extra guy needs to play all three outfield positions. He's got to play center field, and that's tough for Yadi.”

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for Hernandez on the Nats. He has been following a speed program in camp to improve his agility in the outfield. Personality-wise, Martinez said he enjoys having Hernandez on the team and lauded the veteran for his energy, positivity and camaraderie.

“I love Yadi, and I love the way he's swinging the bat. I listen to him -- he's a great teammate and he does everything well,” Martinez said, adding, “I keep telling him, ‘Keep swinging that bat. Whether you're here in the beginning, middle, end -- sooner or later, you'll help us win games up here. I know that.’"

The return of Rainey

The Nationals are looking for Tanner Rainey to carry the momentum from last year’s breakout season into 2021, and the right-hander took another step forward on Sunday afternoon. After being sidelined by soreness in his collarbone area, Rainey made his Spring Training debut in the Nats’ 6-2 loss to the Mets. The 28-year-old had not pitched since Sept. 10, when his 2020 season was cut short by a right flexor strain.

Rainey threw 22 pitches (seven strikes) in one-third of an inning against New York. He began the sixth-inning appearance with a strikeout, and then issued three consecutive walks. The plan for Rainey was to face three batters over an inning and build up to 20-25 pitches.

“Obviously, timing wasn’t there,” Rainey said. “[I was] not making the pitches I wanted to. Best thing I can take from it is, [I’m] healthy, pain-free, so definitely something to build on.”

Rainey is poised to play a key role in the bullpen, especially after fellow late-inning reliever Will Harris was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right arm. Last year, Rainey posted an impressive 2.66 ERA and 0.738 WHIP in 20 1/3 innings.

The Nationals will have to determine if Rainey will be ready for Opening Day. Rainey is hopeful to make three more appearances by the end of Spring Training next Monday.

“He needs to get out there and pitch,” Martinez said. “I've seen this happen to him before. … He's a very high-energy guy, so he gets on that mound, he just wants to fire bullets. So it's just a matter of getting his timing and getting his rhythm back, and I think he’ll be fine.”