What happened: Yovanny Cruz has re-emerged as a bullpen storyline after an AAA stint with a new sinker and more confidence. The added fastball look produced weak contact against Philadelphia, including a groundout from Alec Bohm.

Why it matters: That matters because better strike-throwing can turn premium velocity into usable relief outs once the Phillies and Nationals move from a scheduled 0-0 start into late innings. A credible sinker also reduces Cruz's dependence on his slider and gives hitters a different shape to account for.

What to watch: The next tell is whether Cruz keeps featuring the sinker when the scheduled 0-0 game turns to leverage spots. If the pitch keeps landing in the zone, the adjustment starts to look durable instead of brief.