Mitchell Parker Secures Nationals' Fifth Starter Role

As Major League Baseball teams finalize their rosters ahead of opening day, both the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals are making critical decisions regarding their starting rotations. The Cubs have locked in their first four starters, with Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele as co-aces, while the fifth spot is a competition between Ben Brown and Colin Rea. Meanwhile, the Nationals have opted for Mitchell Parker as their fifth starter after he outperformed competitors DJ Herz and Shinnosuke Ogasawara during spring training, posting a 3.65 ERA. Herz struggled with control and Ogasawara had a disappointing showing, leading to their demotions to Triple-A. In contrast, the Red Sox are also evaluating their rotation, with Sean Newcomb emerging as a slight favorite for their fifth starter role after a strong performance in Grapefruit League play. As teams prepare for the season, these roster decisions highlight the competitive nature of spring training and the importance of player performance.