Overview
- The team announced Mathews’ hire on Nov. 11, with manager Blake Butera praising his modern approach, perspective on pitching and player rapport.
- Mathews departs Cincinnati after serving as assistant pitching coach in 2025 and previously working in rehab, a move Reds GM Brad Meador called a tough loss as the club works on a replacement.
- His background includes roles at Driveline and Push Performance, a biomechanics-heavy skill set and fluency in Spanish that supports communication with a diverse staff.
- Coverage anticipates changes to Washington’s pitch mix such as fewer four-seam fastballs, noting the Reds cut four-seam usage in 2025 and posted a 3.86 team ERA, their first sub-4 mark in a full season since 2014.
- The hire continues the Nationals’ youth movement under Paul Toboni and Butera after a poor 2025 pitching season that included a 29th-ranked team ERA.