Source: Hale, Long won't return to fast-changing coaching staff

Source: Hale, Long won't return to fast-changing coaching staff
The Nationals' first offseason task appears to be a significant makeover of manager Davey Martinez's coaching staff. One week after cutting ties with pitching coach Paul Menhart, the club has now also informed third base coach Chip Hale and hitting coach Kevin Long they will not be returning in 2021, a source familiar with the decisions confirmed. There could be more moves coming, as well. Assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler, brought in last winter, has been Long's right-hand man with three...

Four players clear waivers, come off 40-man roster

Four players clear waivers, come off 40-man roster
Four Nationals players with major league experience have cleared outright waivers and have been assigned to the Triple-A Fresno roster, the club announced this afternoon. Infielder Adrián Sanchez and right-handers Aaron Barrett, Paolo Espino and Austen Williams were placed on waivers and were not claimed by any other clubs. They'll remain in the Nationals organization but are now off the 40-man roster. Barrett and Espino appeared in a few games for the Nats this season. Sanchez and...

Hernández's first career homer keeps the Nats alive (updated)

Hernández's first career homer keeps the Nats alive (updated)
When he was sent down Friday, hitless in seven at-bats, Yadiel Hernández couldn't help but wonder if he had just blown his first and only chance in the big leagues. His first call-up didn't come until he was nearly 33. Would he even get a second one? "A lot of bad things ran through my head in that moment," the rookie outfielder said tonight, Octavio Martinez interpreting for him in a Zoom session with reporters. "Frustrated. And I felt like moreso I kept reflecting and telling myself:...

Game 54 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

Game 54 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies
The Nationals finally defeated the Phillies with last night's 5-1 victory. Philadelphia had won six straight over the Nats to begin the season. Today, the Nats and Phillies embark on a doubleheader with Game 1 featuring right-hander Austin Voth (0-5, 7.17 ERA) against veteran Aaron Nola (5-3, 2.92 ERA). Nats manager Davey Martinez will go with right-hander Paolo Espino as his starter in Game 2. Espino pitched in 12 games for the Brewers and Rangers in 2017, starting two for Milwaukee, and has...

Updates on Espino, Eppler, Fuentes, Romero and Irvin

Updates on Espino, Eppler, Fuentes, Romero and Irvin
Nationals minor league pitching coordinator Brad Holman really likes the curveball of right-hander Paolo Espino. He remembers working with Espino while they both were with the Rangers in 2017. In the second part of our series on pitchers on the 60-man player pool in Fredericksburg, we highlight the veteran Espino and others. Last week, we focused on top pitching prospects Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli. "He is a very polished pitcher," Holman said of Espino. "He's a four-pitch guy:...

Zimmerman on board with Baker's timetable for first spring appearance

Zimmerman on board with Baker's timetable for first spring appearance
VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman, who has yet to play in a spring training game while the Nationals medical staff monitors and treats the plantar fasciitis in his left foot, says manager Dusty Baker's timetable that the first baseman could make his first Grapefruit League appearance within another 10 days is on target. "We're just being slow with it," Zimmerman said Thursday. "My foot feels fine. There's no reason to start playing games this early in March when we plan on playing games in...

Bleier and Espino shined with Triple-A Syracuse this season

Bleier and Espino shined with Triple-A Syracuse this season
Left-hander Richard Bleier stepped up well at Triple-A after his promotion this season. With the Syracuse Chiefs, he made his first start July 27. Bleier went 6-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 11 starts (12 games). He struck out 25 and walked seven, allowing only 75 hits in 68 2/3 innings. At Double-A Harrisburg, Bleier was 8-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 15 starts (16 games). He had 40 strikeouts and nine walks in 103 innings. Minor league pitching coordinator Paul Menhart says Bleier is unique in that he knows...