Kieboom, García headed to Triple-A after latest Nationals cuts

Kieboom, García headed to Triple-A after latest Nationals cuts
Infielders Carter Kieboom and Luis García were optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday afternoon, as the Nationals made a series of roster moves that pretty much solidify their 26-man roster for Thursday's nationally televised home and season opener against the Mets. Also optioned to Triple-A were left-hander Sam Clay, right-hander Kyle McGowin and outfielder Yadiel Hernández. Utility men Jordy Mercer and Hernán Pérez, both of whom were in camp on minor league deals, had their...

Checking out possible spring training surprise candidates

Checking out possible spring training surprise candidates
Unless you're one of those who mines the minor leagues for every possible nugget of information, you didn't really know who Jake Noll was heading into 2019 spring training for the Nationals. Maybe you knew he was a seventh-round pick in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida Gulf Coast. Maybe you were aware that he'd followed up a .291/.341/.412 campaign between Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg in 2018 with a .265/.309/.429 log in limited Arizona Fall League play with Salt...

Which players are on Nationals' roster bubble?

Which players are on Nationals' roster bubble?
When the Nationals convene in 10 days at West Palm Beach, Fla., they will be full of optimism and eager to erase the stench of a 26-34 record in the truncated 2020 season that earned them a share of last place in the National League East. But amid all the cliches about being in the best shape of their lives, boundless hope that things will be better in 2021 and the inevitable focus on how newcomers to the organization will adjust, one factor drives performances more than any other. Some guys in...

Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals

Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals
The Nationals have confirmed the signing of catcher Welington Castillo and right-hander Javy Guerra to minor league contracts that include invitations to major league spring training. This is the second year in a row that Castillo has signed with the Nats in the offseason, but the backstop opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Castillo, 33, will look to solidify the second catcher spot on the roster alongside Yan Gomes. Castillo played at least 100 games from 2013 to 2016 and...

Castillo opts out, Cavalli added to roster as workouts begin

Castillo opts out, Cavalli added to roster as workouts begin
As they took the field (in small groups, staggered over the entire day) for the first time in nearly four months, the Nationals revealed more adjustments to their 60-man roster pool for summer training and the upcoming season, with another veteran opting out and another young prospect joining the group. Welington Castillo, the veteran catcher who had been in spring training as a non-roster invitee, informed club officials he will decline to participate this season, not wanting to risk his...

Nats to open against Yankees in prime time

Nats to open against Yankees in prime time
The Nationals will open defense of their 2019 World Series title on July 23 at Nats Park against the New York Yankees, according to broadcast sources. The likely first pitching matchup is tantalizing, with former Astros star Gerrit Cole taking on Nats ace Max Scherzer. This was supposed to be the World Series Game 5 matchup until Scherzer had to be scratched due to back and neck spasms. Cole was the top offseason free agent acquisition for the Yankees. He is a three-time All-Star whose 2.50 ERA...

With Thames on roster, Nats well-positioned for everyday DH role

With Thames on roster, Nats well-positioned for everyday DH role
Major League Baseball has announced that the abbreviated season tentatively set to begin on or around July 23 will have a few changes to rules many fans have gotten accustomed to in the National League. The main difference between the American League and the NL is the designated hitter. During the proposed 60-game season, both leagues will employ the DH instead of the pitcher batting for NL teams. This puts the AL at a distinct advantage in this shortened season, because even though the NL will...

State of the Nats roster: Catchers (plus ticket refund info)

State of the Nats roster: Catchers (plus ticket refund info)
We continue today a periodic look at the state of the Nationals roster at the point spring training was suspended and project how things may look whenever baseball is played again. Up next is the catching corps ... As a whole, Nationals catchers were among the most productive in the majors last season. They totaled 28 homers (seventh-most in baseball), 100 RBIs (third-most) and a .743 OPS that represented a 119-point upgrade from the 2018 season. The club has every reason to believe this group...

Union creates fund for non-roster players in big league camps

Union creates fund for non-roster players in big league camps
The agreement struck last week between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association ensured all players on 40-man rosters would be paid a partial salary even if there's no 2020 season. But what about longtime big league players who aren't currently on 40-man rosters? That group was taken care of Friday when the union voted to establish an assistance fund for players with major league experience who were in spring training as non-roster invitees. The fund will pay anywhere from $5,000...

Strasburg to debut Friday, rotation order takes shape (Nats win)

Strasburg to debut Friday, rotation order takes shape (Nats win)
JUPITER, Fla. - Davey Martinez isn't about to announce his rotation order to begin the season. There's too much time and too many things that could happen to throw a wrench into his plans. But with all of the regular starters now lined up here in Florida, it's not hard to extrapolate things out and see how it all projects for March 26 and beyond. The key revelations that came today from the Nationals manager: Stephen Strasburg will make his spring debut Friday against the Rays after throwing...

Nats could go many different ways with 26th roster spot

Nats could go many different ways with 26th roster spot
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The most significant of Major League Baseball's rule changes for the upcoming season is the three-batter minimum that will now be required for every reliever that enters a game. (With an exception granted for anyone who finishes an inning, even if it's only one batter.) Less discussed but not necessarily less significant is the addition of a 26th man to the active roster. For as far back as any of us can remember, a baseball roster consisted of 25 players. "We're...

Castillo has sore shoulder, plus other notes (game canceled)

Castillo has sore shoulder, plus other notes (game canceled)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals' first injury of the spring may not involve a member of the 40-man roster, but it does involve a veteran trying to squeeze his way onto the opening day roster. Welington Castillo, a catcher with 10 years of big league experience, was due to DH in tonight's Grapefruit League opener but was scratched with a sore right shoulder. Davey Martinez said Castillo approached him earlier today and informed him of the ailment. The manager didn't hesitate to give him...

Lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach (updated)

Lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach (updated)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - One hundred fifteen days have passed since the Nationals and Astros last took the field, a late October night that will forever bring smiles to anyone who lives in Washington and tears to anyone who lives in Houston. Tonight, both teams return to begin their quest to reach late October again. The Grapefruit League opener is a big deal any spring, but it's never been as big a deal as it is tonight. In a perfect convergence of events, this game between co-inhabitants of...

Nats invite 22 non-roster players to big league camp

Nats invite 22 non-roster players to big league camp
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have invited 22 non-roster players to participate in big league camp, a group that includes a host of veterans with major league experience and a handful of prospects who aren't yet on the organization's 40-man roster. Among the veterans who signed minor league contracts and were extended big league invitations are: * Javy Guerra, who made 40 relief appearances for the Nationals last season with a 4.86 ERA and 1.248 WHIP and then pitched in a pair of...

Can returning catching tandem duplicate 2019 numbers?

Can returning catching tandem duplicate 2019 numbers?
As spring training fast approaches, it's time to break down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series continues today with the catching corps ... The Nationals knew they needed a major catching upgrade last winter, and they could've attempted to achieve that with one big acquisition. Instead, general manager Mike Rizzo decided to add two veterans and hope their combined production would get the job done at a fraction of the cost. How'd it work out? Not bad at all....

Nats sign veteran catcher Castillo to minor league deal

Nats sign veteran catcher Castillo to minor league deal
The Nationals have signed catcher Welington Castillo to a minor league deal, giving themselves another veteran behind the plate, where their depth was a bit thin. Castillo, whose signing was confirmed by a source familiar with the deal, has been a big league regular since 2013 with the Cubs, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Orioles and White Sox. The 32-year-old is a career .254 hitter with 98 homers, 339 RBIs, a .313 on-base percentage and .738 OPS in 726 games. Castillo struggled last season with the...

Castillo signs with White Sox

Castillo signs with White Sox
The Orioles veered away from an organizational philosophy last winter when they including a $7 million player option for 2018 in catcher Welington Castillo's free agent contract. They didn't refer to it as an opt-out clause, but it basically played as one. Castillo declined the option, as expected, and he agreed to terms today on a two-year, $15 million deal with the White Sox. His latest contract comes with an $8 million team option for 2020. A .282/.323/.490 slash line with 20 home runs in...

Orioles remain in market for left-handed relief

Orioles remain in market for left-handed relief
The shopping list compiled by the Orioles every winter always includes left-handed relievers. There's a steady search for a specialist who can compete for a job in spring training. Richard Bleier gave them more than matchups this season after executive vice president Dan Duquette pulled off a Feb. 21 trade with the Yankees. He offered up a 1.99 ERA in 63 1/3 innings. Bleier would seem to be a lock to break camp with the Orioles in 2018 as a second lefty along with closer Zach Britton, but...

Because You Asked - "The Secret of the Ooze"

Because You Asked - "The Secret of the Ooze"
With a break in the awards shows - the Silver Sluggers are announced on Thursday and the Wilson Defensive Players of the Year on Friday - it's a convenient time to rummage through the ol' mailbag again and delve into the duplicates. You ask and I answer. Someone else asks and I answer again. And the dance continues until my feet swell. I skipped the ones asking, "Who exactly will the Orioles sign this winter?" I already feel pretty useless. Let's not crush my spirit completely. Otherwise,...

Interest in Cashner and Vargas, Wynns, Gold Gloves and more

Interest in Cashner and Vargas, Wynns, Gold Gloves and more
Though the Orioles aren't offering up names of pitchers who are targeted in free agency, there's definite interest in Andrew Cashner and left-hander Jason Vargas to plug holes in a rotation with only two returning starters. MLBTradeRumors.com predicted that Cashner will receive a two-year, $20 million contract from the Athletics. Past injuries and a decrease in fastball velocity are marks against him, and he's a pitch-to-contact guy, while the Orioles could use the strikeouts. He averaged...