Miles Mikolas Bets on Himself, Revamps Routine for Nats

Miles Mikolas could have walked away. He could have blamed the system, pointed fingers, or clung to the way things used to be done. Instead, the 11-year veteran chose the American way: he put in the work, embraced change, and fought his way back.

After a rough 2025 season in St. Louis where he posted a 4.84 ERA and averaged just five innings per start, Mikolas didn't make excuses. He didn't demand a handout or expect a roster spot based on past glory. He took a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals on February 11 and got to work. That kind of accountability is exactly what this country was built on.

How Did Miles Mikolas Reinvent His Pitching Approach?

First-year manager Blake Butera was taken aback during his very first conversation with Mikolas. A veteran with over a decade in the big leagues had every right to be stubborn. But Mikolas was open to change, real change. He didn't just accept pitching behind an opener; he sought total reinvention.