Game 47 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers

Game 47 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers
Do you remember the last time the Nationals faced the Brewers? Yep, it was the 2019 National League wild card game. Quite a bit has happened since that memorable night, huh? Today, the Brewers make their first trip back to D.C. in 20 months. It's not completely a must-win situation like it was for the Nats that night, but they'd certainly like to get back on track after dropping two of three to the Reds earlier in the week. After Friday night's game was rained out, they'll attempt to play...

García shows off two-strike approach with first MLB triple

García shows off two-strike approach with first MLB triple
The Nationals produced a grand total of two extra-base hits during their just-completed three-game series with the Reds. One was Josh Bell's ninth-inning homer on Tuesday night, one that helped them avoid a shutout but still resulted in a 2-1 loss. The other was Luis García's triple Thursday afternoon, and though it had no significant bearing on account of the Nats' 5-3 win, it did offer a glimpse into the 21-year-old's ability and growth at the plate. "A big at-bat in that moment right...

Game 46 lineups: Nats vs. Reds

Game 46 lineups: Nats vs. Reds
After winning the completion of Wednesday night's suspended game, the Nationals now attempt to sweep this not-really-a-doubleheader against the Reds, hoping to get a big-time start from Stephen Strasburg and avoid using the relievers they needed to close out the earlier 5-3 win. Strasburg was pretty good in his first start off the injured list, tossing 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Orioles, though he pretty clearly was running out of gas by the fifth. The Nats will hope the right-hander...

Back of bullpen secures victory of suspended game (updated)

Back of bullpen secures victory of suspended game (updated)
With five innings on tap this afternoon to complete the game that only lasted four innings Wednesday night before a storm barreled through town, then a seven-inning game still to come later tonight as part of this pseudo-doubleheader, Nationals manager Davey Martinez had to concoct a pitching plan that would give his club the best chance to win both games. And when the Nats added to the three-run lead they already held when Wednesday's game was suspended, the path should've been simple for...

Martinez on Rainey, Fedde and García

Martinez on Rainey, Fedde and García
Right-hander Tanner Rainey, on the COVID-19 injured list since May 19, could be on the verge of rejoining the Nationals after throwing an extended bullpen session Tuesday, manager Davey Martinez said this afternoon. "He threw 32 pitches yesterday," Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with the media. "I want to talk to him today and see how he feels after a long bullpen. If he feels good, he hasn't missed that much time. There's been times where guys in the bullpen, especially the...

García called up from Triple-A, Fedde and Rainey back in D.C.

García called up from Triple-A, Fedde and Rainey back in D.C.
In deciding who would take Victor Robles' spot on their roster, the Nationals elected not to promote another outfielder from Triple-A Rochester, nor did they call up their top prospect who only two months ago was supposed to be their starting third baseman. The Nats' decision to recall infielder Luis García before tonight's series opener against the Reds instead of Carter Kieboom or an outfielder revealed a few things about the current state of things in the organization. With no other...

Rounding up the first week of the minor league season

Rounding up the first week of the minor league season
The first week of the minor league season is complete, and for the first time in two years, we actually have some box scores and stats to pore through and get a sense of the state of the Nationals farm system. The Nats' four full-season affiliates are off to a rough start record-wise, but there have been some notable individual performances so far. Let's run through each of the clubs, with some notable developments from the last week. Keep in mind that with COVID-19 protocols, the schedule...

Nats plan to open with Castro at third, Harrison at second (updated)

Nats plan to open with Castro at third, Harrison at second (updated)
The Nationals intend to open the season with Starlin Castro as their everyday third baseman and Josh Harrison as their primary second baseman, manager Davey Martinez revealed today while discussing the horde of moves announced by the club Saturday that all but set the opening night roster. In deciding to option both Carter Kieboom and Luis García to their alternate training site in Fredericksburg, the Nats are left with nothing but veteran infielders on their projected 26-man roster. That...

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...

Castro getting MRI on hamstring, Harris to be examined soon

Castro getting MRI on hamstring, Harris to be examined soon
Though the Nationals do not believe Starlin Castro's hamstring cramp is serious, they will have the veteran infielder undergo a precautionary MRI to check for anything that could sideline him longer than another day or two. Castro pulled up a bit while running from first to third base during the seventh inning Tuesday in Jupiter, Fla., and was removed from the game. Afterward, he described it as a "cramp" and said it didn't compare at all to previous, more severe hamstring injuries he has...

On Bell's power, Hernández's chance and Plan B at third base

On Bell's power, Hernández's chance and Plan B at third base
Ask almost anyone who watched Thursday's game what stood out about Josh Bell, and just about every answer would involve his seventh-inning homer. Ask Davey Martinez, and the answer is something completely different, something hardly anyone besides a manager would notice. "What I love about him, if you guys didn't notice, he hit a ground ball earlier and he ran really hard to first base," Martinez said during his postgame Zoom session with reporters. "That to me, I mean, you don't teach...

García's confidence has never been in doubt

García's confidence has never been in doubt
There is a word Luis García keeps using when talking about himself: confidence. He uses it not as some means of bragging about his immense talent and reputation at the ripe age of 20, but rather to explain how he managed to hold up during his first season in the major leagues and, at times, even thrive. "At every level I've played at, I've always told myself: 'It's the same baseball,' " the Nationals infielder said last week via interpreter Octavio Martinez, during a Zoom session with...

Pandemic alters interactions between veterans and youngsters

Pandemic alters interactions between veterans and youngsters
Stroll through a pre-pandemic spring training clubhouse, or eye up what's happening on the back fields of a camp complex, and you'll see a lot of teaching and mentoring going on. Even if it's not readily apparent, it was happening. A young hurler could ask a veteran about pitch grips. An inexperienced infielder can work with coaches and teammates to refine his footwork or positioning. An outfielder of the future spends time between shagging fly balls by picking the brain of a guy with a deep...

Martinez on rain, Lester, injuries, García at short, Scherzer's velocity

Martinez on rain, Lester, injuries, García at short, Scherzer's velocity
Nationals manager Davey Martinez has plenty on his plate during the typical day at spring training. He has to check on each of his players and see how they're doing, a daily interaction the skipper prides himself upon. He makes sure to gauge the recoveries of any injured Nats. He needs to converse with his coaches to make sure everything is running smoothly in camp and with general manager Mike Rizzo to talk about potential roster moves and upcoming camp cuts. And then there's the...

Nats' Latin American program has come a long way

Nats' Latin American program has come a long way
The Nationals have been linked to top Dominican prospect Armando Cruz for nearly a year and a half now, and today they're finally expected to announce they've signed the elite young shortstop for a reported $4 million bonus. It's a whopping total for a kid who turns 17 on Saturday, and it's perhaps the latest and most convincing evidence just how far the Nats' Latin American scouting program has come over the last decade-plus. Those who haven't followed the organization since the early...

What do Nats expect from Kieboom and García in 2021?

What do Nats expect from Kieboom and García in 2021?
Had you asked anyone affiliated with the Nationals on opening day which rookie would garner the most big league plate appearances in 2020, the answer would've been Carter Kieboom every single time. Luis García? Well, perhaps the 20-year-old would make his debut at some point, but he wouldn't see significant action. Certainly not more than Kieboom, who had been touted as the club's everyday third baseman from the first day of spring training. A quick glance at the Nationals' season-ending...

Do Nats have the elite prospects needed in a big trade?

Do Nats have the elite prospects needed in a big trade?
Mike Rizzo has never been shy about dealing away top prospects in exchange for big-name players who could immediately help his Nationals win. This is the general manager, after all, who dealt away Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López and Dane Dunning for Adam Eaton prior to the 2017 season and then that summer dealt Jesús Luzardo and others to the Athletics for Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson. But those two headline-makers represent the last time the Nats have traded away elite prospects for...

García dazzled at times, but still has a lot of room to grow

García dazzled at times, but still has a lot of room to grow
Our offseason player review series continues today with Luis García, who unexpectedly became the Nationals' starting second baseman ahead of schedule. PLAYER REVIEW: LUIS GARCÍA Age on opening day 2021: 20 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2016 MLB service time: 105 days 2020 salary: $563,500 (prorated $140,175) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027 2020 stats: 40 G, 139 PA, 134 AB, 18 R, 37 H, 6 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 16 RBI,...

Martinez working on offseason plan to improve defense

Martinez working on offseason plan to improve defense
One factor manager Davey Martinez pointed toward that the Nationals must get better at in 2021 is their defense. The Nats scuffled to a 26-34 record and fourth place in the National League East in 2020. Martinez believes one reason for their struggles was a lack consistent quality defense the club demonstrated during their championship season. As an example, the outfield defensive analytical numbers were down from 2019. Last season, center fielder Victor Robles led the league in Outs Above...

Turner makes jump forward at plate, now wants to sharpen defense

Turner makes jump forward at plate, now wants to sharpen defense
One Nationals player who stayed consistent on offense and made good contact throughout the season was shortstop Trea Turner. Regardless of where manager Davey Martinez hit Turner in the lineup, he delivered. Batting first in the lineup, Turner hit .340. Batting second, he hit .323. And for the four games he hit third, the former N.C. State infielder batted .333. Against left-handed pitching, Turner hit .375, and against right-handers, he hit .322. That is consistency. Turner said he got off to...