Nats’ Orlan Puts Surgery In The Past

WASHINGTON—Nearly four years after an elbow injury put his career on hold, high Class A Potomac lefthander R.C. Orlan feels like himself again—and he’s serving a similar role to the one he did when he starred at North Carolina.

In Orlan’s first six outings this season, he worked 11 innings out of the bullpen. He struck out 10 while allowing nine walks and just four hits.

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The 25-year-old made a spot start at low Class A Hagerstown last season and began his pro career with 11 starts in 2013 at short-season Auburn, so he’s capable of pitching multiple innings on a regular basis.

“There were times last year where I was extended to three or four innings,” Orlan said. “Whatever they need out of me, that’s what they’re going to get.”

Orlan relies heavily on his curveball and throws a low-90s fastball, a cutter and a changeup. He was projected to go around the 10th round in 2012, but he hurt his elbow pitching in a regional game against East Carolina the day before the draft. The Nationals then took him in the 30th round.

Despite the fall in the draft, Orlan still signed. He eventually needed Tommy John surgery that summer, and he was able to work out with Sammy Solis and Lucas Giolito, as they rehabbed their Tommy John operations.

“It was nice to be able to compare where we were, especially Sammy with him being a lefty,” said Orlan, a Dodgers 44th-round pick in 2009 out of a high school in the Richmond area.

For Orlan to take the next step to Double-A Harrisburg, the key will be consistency.

“He’s learning to harness his mechanics into a more repeatable, consistent delivery,” farm director Mark Scialabba said. “As a result, he’s able to throw more quality strikes in the zone.”

CAPITAL GAINS

• The Nationals placed Hagerstown lefthander Taylor Hearn on the disabled list with a fractured foot, with no timetable given for his return. The injury occurred on a play at first base as he retired the first batter of the game in his second start of the season.

• Triple-A Syracuse shortstop Trea Turner won an International League batter-of-the-week honor as part of his .357/.430/.529 start through 18 games. He also went 6-for-6 on stolen-base attempts.