Why the Nationals brought Parra back now

Why the Nationals brought Parra back now
Davey Martinez hinted Saturday the move might be coming soon. And sure enough, it came today: The Nationals called up Gerardo Parra and now will ask the popular outfielder to help re-energize the clubhouse and the stands as they try to climb their way back into the National League East race. "Everyone knows how much energy he brings to the clubhouse (and) on the field," Martinez said during his Zoom session prior to today's series finale against the Mets. "He's a good all-around player....

Gomes sits for third straight day, Sunday starter still TBD

Gomes sits for third straight day, Sunday starter still TBD
Yan Gomes is out of the Nationals lineup for the third straight day with a tight right hamstring, and until the veteran catcher can comfortably squat behind the plate for an entire game without being hindered, he'll remain out of the Nationals lineup. "This is going to be a day-to-day thing with him," manager Davey Martinez said in his Zoom session with reporters before today's game in Philadelphia. "The position he plays, with him squatting and stuff, I just want to make sure that he can...

Scherzer's start may have made Nats' Sunday starter plan clearer

Scherzer's start may have made Nats' Sunday starter plan clearer
Every team is bound to run into this conundrum over the course of a 162-game season: The need for a replacement starting pitcher. With off-days, rainouts and injuries - all while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic this season and last - it happens more often than managers would like. But that comes with the job. Nationals manager Davey Martinez has been dealing with this issue for the better part of the last week, trying to figure out a starter for Sunday's series finale against the Phillies...

Braymer learning from experience and veterans in camp

Braymer learning from experience and veterans in camp
Ben Braymer has been with the Nationals longer than you might think. An 18th-round draft pick out of Auburn University in 2016, the 26-year-old left-hander is entering his sixth season in the organization. Considering his age, the year he was drafted (the same as Carter Kieboom and former Nats prospects Dane Dunning and Jesús Luzardo) and his progression through the minor league system, you might be surprised even still that Braymer finished 2020 as just the Nationals' No. 22 ranked...

Romero and Braymer stretching out as starters

Romero and Braymer stretching out as starters
The Nationals have been very clear about how they will utilize their top pitching prospects. Guys like Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli project to be front-line starters, and general manager Mike Rizzo has confirmed that's the path the organization has set them on. But the futures of some mid-level prospects aren't as certain. Guys like Seth Romero and Ben Braymer have pitched both as starters and relievers throughout their careers, dating back to their time in college and continuing through...

On the importance of rotation depth

On the importance of rotation depth
The Nationals' acquisition Monday of Rogelio Armenteros didn't generate much buzz, nor should it have. A 26-year-old right-hander with five games of big league experience claimed off waivers? That's not exactly blockbuster material. But the move did offer up a reminder of an important but oft-overlooked area of concern for the Nationals and all clubs: rotation depth. Armenteros isn't going to make the Nats rotation out of spring training. If he somehow does, a bunch of things have gone...

Nats split twinbill thanks to 15-0 pounding of Marlins (updated)

Nats split twinbill thanks to 15-0 pounding of Marlins (updated)
After missing a catch at first base Sunday afternoon in Game 1 loss in a doubleheader against the Marlins, Eric Thames spoke about the frustration he's felt during this abbreviated season and how it has played out for the last-place Nationals. In Game 2, his teammates took out those frustrations on a difficult campaign, slamming five homers and collecting 18 hits in a 15-0 shellacking of the Marlins at Marlins Park, splitting the twinbill. "This game is unbelievable," said manager Davey...

Game 52 lineups: Nats at Marlins

Game 52 lineups: Nats at Marlins
In Game 2 of today's doubleheader and the series finale, the Nationals send out left-hander Ben Braymer for his first major league start. Braymer has made two big league appearances, Aug. 28 and Sept. 15, and has gone 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA, with four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. He has allowed six hits and walked two. Manager Davey Martinez said Braymer has been stretched out and he expects 60 to 75 pitches from him. The southpaw made 26 starts last season in the minors, going 4-10 with a 4.53...

Stevenson, Taylor to share right field job for final stretch

Stevenson, Taylor to share right field job for final stretch
With Adam Eaton out for the final two weeks of the season with a fractured index finger, the Nationals needed to figure out who's going to start in right field the rest of the way. Their decision: Andrew Stevenson and Michael A. Taylor. Stevenson was recalled from the club's alternate training site in Fredericksburg this afternoon, with fellow outfielder Yadiel Hernández optioned back down after a disappointing first week in the majors. The reason for that swap of left-handed-hitting...

Nats trying to figure out pitching plan for doubleheaders

Nats trying to figure out pitching plan for doubleheaders
Though they haven't finalized plans quite yet, the Nationals have a sense of how they hope to get through their upcoming stretch of eight games in five days. The likely answer: Wil Crowe, Ben Braymer and a lot of relievers. With three doubleheaders in five days (Friday and Sunday against the Marlins, Tuesday against the Phillies), the Nationals will need eight different starting pitchers. Given the current lack of healthy depth at their disposal, they don't really have eight viable...

Barrett confident and effective in first game back, wants more

Barrett confident and effective in first game back, wants more
The Nationals recalled Aaron Barrett Tuesday, and later that day the right-hander was in the game against the Rays at Tropicana Field, summoned in the sixth inning. Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe was on first and there was one out. Mike Brosseau singled on Barrett's two-seam fastball and suddenly the Rays had two men on. But the very next pitch, Barrett got Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a grounder to shortstop Trea Turner for an inning-ending double play. In the seventh, Barrett returned to the hill and gave...

Another short start for Sánchez, another loss for Nats (updated)

Another short start for Sánchez, another loss for Nats (updated)
Much as he probably wishes he could give a couple of his struggling starters the season's final two weeks off, the cold, hard truth is that Davey Martinez has no choice but to keep giving them the ball every five days. The Nationals' schedule to close out this agonizing season - 15 games in 13 days, including an upcoming stretch of eight games in five days - simply won't allow for anyone to shut it down early, not unless there's an injury involved. And even if there was, the Nats would be...

Doolittle to injured list with strained oblique, likely down for season

Doolittle to injured list with strained oblique, likely down for season
The Nationals have placed left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain and have called up left-hander Ben Braymer from the alternate training site. Doolittle appeared to injure his oblique on a pitch to Nick Markakis in the top of the ninth of Thursday night's 7-6 loss to the Braves and left the game. Manager Davey Martinez said Doolittle is seeing the doctor this afternoon and he expects to have a complete update after tonight's contest. With a...

Martinez on Kieboom and when Nats decide to call up pitchers

Martinez on Kieboom and when Nats decide to call up pitchers
Some fans have asked the question with the Nationals at 12-21 and in last place in the National League East: Why not just call up all the prospects and see what you have for 2021 and beyond? Manager Davey Martinez was asked about third baseman Carter Kieboom, who started the season with the Nationals but since Aug. 26 is back at the alternate training site working on his hitting and his approach at the plate. "When we assessed Carter at the time, he was trending downward," Martinez said...

Braymer all smiles after "humbling and awesome" debut

Braymer all smiles after "humbling and awesome" debut
Ben Braymer, like every young ballplayer, had always wondered what his major league debut would look like. He had conjured up some images in his head, perhaps imagining a start at Nationals Park against the Braves or Phillies. Or maybe he'd be on the road in a hostile environment like Philadelphia. But Fenway Park? In relief? With no fans in attendance? While wearing a nameless No. 42 jersey? None of that ever crossed the left-hander's mind until it all happened to him Friday night during the...

Romero breaks right hand, Braymer gets promoted

Romero breaks right hand, Braymer gets promoted
Seth Romero, the highly touted pitching prospect who made his major league debut for the Nationals two weeks ago and had become the club's only active left-handed reliever, broke his right hand in a fall late Saturday night and has been placed on the injured list. Romero, who faced four batters in the bottom of the fourth inning during the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins, told manager Davey Martinez he slipped on a set of stairs later that night after he left Nationals...

Kendrick "75 to 80 percent" recovered from hamstring issue

Kendrick "75 to 80 percent" recovered from hamstring issue
Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he will decide after tonight's game how he plans to set up the starting rotation for the remainder of this wraparound series with the Marlins. It appears he wants to go with experience rather than new starters in Saturday's doubleheader. Martinez had mentioned the possibility that right-hander Wil Crowe or left-hander Ben Braymer might get the chance to pitch in one of the games on Saturday. Max Scherzer is scheduled to start one of the...

Long weekend of baseball still on tap for now

Long weekend of baseball still on tap for now
After their first scheduled series was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak that swept through the Marlins roster, the Nationals finally will face Miami for the first time in 2020 this weekend, with a rare five-game series on tap that includes the first 14-inning doubleheader in club history. At least, that's the plan as of right now. All systems appeared to be go for tonight's opener at Nationals Park, but then Thursday evening the Marlins' series finale against the Mets was called...

Nats hope Kendrick is ready Friday, need starter Saturday

Nats hope Kendrick is ready Friday, need starter Saturday
Though he's out of the lineup for the fifth consecutive day, the Nationals continue to believe Howie Kendrick will be ready to return from a tight hamstring soon enough to make a trip to the injured list unnecessary. Kendrick last played Friday night in Baltimore, going 1-for-5 with a sacrifice fly in the Nationals' 15-3 rout of the Orioles. He has complained of a tight hamstring since, and despite some hope he would be available to pinch-hit, it hasn't happened yet. With an off-day...

Martinez being careful with Kendrick; updates on Strasburg, Castro

Martinez being careful with Kendrick; updates on Strasburg, Castro
He owns two of the most meaningful home runs in Nationals history. So when Howie Kendrick is not available, it certainly changes the makeup of the lineup and the quick strike ability for this club. A grand slam to beat the Dodgers and a go-ahead foul pole-clanging two-run homer against in World Series Game 7 against the Astros will forever go down in Nats lore. Those big hits might have made some forget that Kendrick fought through a left hamstring strain that kept him out of the lineup for 11...