Washington Nationals vs Minnesota Twins: Grapefruit League GameThread...

Patrick Corbin tossed two scoreless innings in his 2019 Grapefruit League debut, holding the Atlanta Braves to one hit and striking out two batters before he was done for the day after throwing 27 pitches overall.

“It was good,” Corbin said, as quoted by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman, following his debut with the Washington Nationals, with whom he signed a 6-year/$140M deal this winter.

“Fastball command was great today. For the first time out there, being able to throw everything in a real game and be able to see some of their veteran hitters over there was all positive.”

In 2018, Corbin’s sixth season with the Arizona Diamondbacks ended with the southpaw (11-7) with a 3.15 ERA, 2.47 FIP, 48 walks (2.16 BB/9), 246 Ks (11.07 K/9), and a .217/.270/.337 line against in 33 starts and 200 innings pitched.

Upon arriving in Spring Training in West Palm Beach, FL, Corbin talked about following the same routine he’s gone through before as he’s prepared for each of his previous major league campaigns, and not letting anything like trying to justify his contract get in the way of all of the preparation he has to do.

“I’ve always just tried to have a routine,” Corbin explained, “to be able to go out there and compete every fifth day, that’s really all I’m focusing on.”

“It’s good that that’s over with,” the 29-year-old starter said of the free agent process, “and I’ll be here for six years, so I just need to come in every day, try to get better and help this team win ballgames.”

Corbin makes his second start of the Spring this afternoon, when the Washington Nationals welcome the Minnesota Twins to the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches for a Grapefruit League game which gets underway at 1:05 PM EST.

Here’s the Nationals’ lineup for today’s game: