Alvarez 2nd Nats starter in 15 years to win big league debut, beats Marlins 2-0 to stop 8-game skid

WASHINGTON (AP) — Andrew Alvarez allowed one hit over five innings to become only the second Washington starter in 15 years to win his major league debut, and the Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 2-0 Monday to stop an eight-game losing streak.

A 26-year-old left-hander selected in the 12th round of the 2021 amateur draft, Alvarez allowed his only hit when Victor Mesa Jr. singled to left with one out in the fifth. He struck out four and walked two, throwing 44 of 81 pitches for strikes. Alvarez (1-0) averaged 91.8 mph with 22 fastballs and also threw 27 sliders, 21 curveballs, six sinkers and five changeups.

Alvarez joined Mitchell Parker in 2024 as the only Nationals starters to win their major league debuts since Stephen Strasburg in 2010.

Alvarez and catcher CJ Stubbs were the first batterymates each making their major league debut Pittsburgh's Quinn Preister and Endy Rodriguez on July 17, 2023. They became the first for the Nationals since Shairon Martis and Luke Montz on Sept. 4, 2008, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Four relievers finished a two-hitter, with Jose A. Ferrer working around a walk in the ninth inning for his fifth save in seven chances. Washington relievers have pitched 13 scoreless innings over three games.

Miami was shut out for the eighth time this season but first since July 10.

Daylen Lile hit a run-scoring triple and Andrés Chaparro had a sacrifice fly in a two-run second off Lake Bachar (5-2), who started in a bullpen game.

Miami's Xavier Edwards was ejected five pitches into the game by plate umpire Brennan Miller. Edwards grounded to first leading off after a four-pitch at-bat that included a pair of called strikes, then apparently argued after returning to the dugout and was tossed after the first pitch to Agustín Ramírez.

Alvarez became the first pitcher since the franchise moved to Washington for 2005 to throw at least five scoreless innings in his major league debut.

Marlins RHP Adam Mazur (0-1, 5.59) and Nationals Cade Cavalli (1-1, 5.11) start on Tuesday night.

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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Lake Bachar throws to the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Nationals catcher CJ Stubbs throws out Miami Marlins' Xavier Edwards at first base during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. This marks Stubbs' Major League debut. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Nationals' Luis Garcia Jr. slides into home plate and scores on a triple hit by Daylen Lile during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez gestures after throwing to the Miami Marlins during the third inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez, left, and catcher CJ Stubbs get doused with water by Josh Bell after securing a win against the Miami Marlins in their major league debuts at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will be traded before the deadline next month.

“We talked this morning and that’s all private,” Kerr said. “I will keep coaching him, he’ll be part of the team, he’ll be here. It is what it is.”

Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 — though he has been listed as injured for nine games this season.

“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over the New York Knicks. “There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league, part of the job. We just keep moving forward.”

Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the Warriors’ practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 — not that it's his fault — and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade him.

Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after games shooting on the arena's main floor.

“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation but our job is just to keep playing, keep winning, it’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” Stephen Curry said.

The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just 18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options and he missed media day.

He has long had the support and confidence of teammates — like Jimmy Butler saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.

“We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change,” Butler said postgame. “If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed to do and being the ultimate pro.”

Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10 starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future “won't be a distraction.”

“Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him,” Kerr said. "He's handling himself well.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, middle, sits near the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) and Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) swap jerseys after the Warriors defeat the Jazz during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)