Washington Nationals vs New York Yankees: Grapefruit League GameThread

If the rumors were right, Patrick Corbin would have ended up a New York Yankees’ starter, but to the surprise of many following the left-hander’s free agent journey in the winter of 2018-19, the southpaw ended up signing a 6-year/$140M free agent deal with Washington’s Nationals.

As the 30-year-old pitcher and the Nats made their way to through the 2019 playoffs this past October, Corbin was asked why he didn’t ultimately end up in NY and if he believed that things would go as well for him as they did to that point in his new home, with the Nationals playing Houston’s Astros in the World Series at that point.

“I honestly haven’t thought too much about it,” Corbin said.

“No regrets. I’ve obviously loved every second here. I always tell everybody I feel like I’ve been here longer, just such a great clubhouse, great people to be around every day.

“Really enjoy it here. The big reason was to come here and make it to the World Series and win a World Series. I knew the guys in here were capable of doing it. It’s a great team and we’ve just put things together really well.”

Corbin ended up part of the championship team in his first taste of postseason action, and now in the second year of his six-year deal, he’s working to get ready for the regular season after a longer run than he’s experienced as a professional this past October.

In two starts before this afternoon’s outing, Corbin has given up five hits, three walks, and four earned runs in five innings. He makes his third start against the team he was rumored to be headed for in free agency when the Nationals and Yankees meet up in Grapefruit League action from West Palm Beach, FL’s FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR TODAY’S GAME WITH THE YANKEES: