Washington Nationals at New York Mets: Grapefruit League GameThread...

Jeremy Hellickson tossed four scoreless against the Houston Astros the last time out before this afternoon, walking one and striking out one while allowing just three hits in his third start in Grapefruit League action this Spring.

Over three outings and nine innings pitched, Hellickson has given up just six hits and one run, walking two, striking out eight, and holding opposing hitters to a .188 AVG thus far.

He talked earlier this Spring about getting to know the new catchers in the nation’s capital, with Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki expected to share the duties behind the plate in 2019.

Hellickson said it takes some time, and a bit of conversation to get to know one another as well as pitchers and catchers need to.

“It’s more just 1-on-1 conversations, you know,” he explained, “just after our bullpens we’ll probably just stand there and talk for a few minutes, and figure some things out, but it’s nice to actually get in a game situation with guys on base and stuff like that.

“[Gomes] and Suzuki ... they’ve been around a long time, known for their defense, and they’re just great leaders back there.”

Gomes is matched up with Hellickson again this afternoon, after catching the right-hander’s first start of the Spring back on February 27th.

“Just from watching him the last six or seven years, he’s caught a lot of really good pitchers,” the veteran starter said.

“You can just kind of see what that rotation in Cleveland — they’re not out of whack that long. He can get you back in the zone pretty quick.

“He calls a great game, obviously knows what he’s doing, knows all the hitters, so it was fun to work with him and looking forward to working with him.”

Suzuki caught start No. 2 and Spencer Kieboom start No. 3, but Gomes and Hellickson are back together this afternoon when the Nationals take on the Mets in Port St. Lucie, FL.