Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Friday, March 20, 2026
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Nats Trim Camp
Via Washington Nationals
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
As the start of the season gets closer, so too do the refinements and modifications to the Nationals' roster. Recently, these changes have come in the form of trimming down the pitching rotation as well as some key lineup positions.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Top prospect Harry Ford, who was acquired in the offseason as part of a major move, was optioned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings
The Ford move means that the Nationals look to have Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas as their primary major league catchers, particularly with Ruiz being back to full health after battling concussions last season
Right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray and outfielder Robert Hassell III were also optioned to Rochester
For Gray, this move allows him more time to ramp up for the season after missing almost all of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery
For Hassell, this Spring Training saw him record a .631 OPS despite his .286 average, so this stint in Triple-A allows him to have some more time to potentially find some more power and cut down on his number of strikeouts
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
"Understanding how the pitchers feel throwing to him, that's a big part of the catching game, obviously. Making sure that our pitchers in Triple-A are having success with Harry catching. Then also understanding that the blocking's good, the receiving numbers are good, and then you see the offense, hopefully he continues to do what he's done in his career so far. Those are the big ticket items," said manager Blake Butera on what they look for from Harry Ford in Triple-A.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What do you think of the decision to move Harry Ford to Rochester? What about Josiah Gray and Robert Hassell III?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more in-depth coverage and analysis on Harry Ford’s move to Rochester, make sure to check out Richard’s article on it.
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SPRING BREAKOUT GAME RECAP
🔥 HEADLINE
Trying to Cement Comeback, Nats Prospects Come Up Just Short
Final Score: Nationals Prospects 8, St. Louis Cardinals Prospects 9
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Location: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Gavin Fien showed out at the Spring Breakout, driving home a grand total of five runs and managing to leg out two doubles on the day. The Nats pitching prospects had a decent day as well, managing to collectively strike out a total of seven batters.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Tanner Franklin ([1–0], 3 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K)
Losing Pitcher: Josh Randall ([0–1], 0.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)
Key Hitters:
Gavin Fien: 3-for-4, 5 RBI, R, SB, 2 2B, BB
Phillip Glasser: 3-for-5, 2 RBI, R, 2B
Team RISP: [4-for-19]
Errors: Nats 1, Cardinals 0
Attendance: 4,832
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
“I didn’t know that I had the record. That’s pretty awesome,” Gavin Fien said of setting the record for most RBIs in the Spring Breakout.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ Fien
✅ Glasser
✅ The Bullpen
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more on the Spring Breakout game and Gavin Fien’s performance, check out Bill Wade’s article.
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Game Recaps and the Weekend Ahead
Via Washington Nationals
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
With the last Spring Training games among us, the Nats look forward and prepare for the start of the season. The team can use the last few games before the regular season to try and catch a boost of momentum for their harder games ahead.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Wednesday’s game against the Miami Marlins was postponed due to inclement weather in Palm Springs and not rescheduled
Yesterday afternoon, the Nats lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1, despite a combined 11 strikeouts from Zack Littell and the bullpen, which is four more than the Cardinals’ rotation had
This evening at 7:10 PM ET, the Nationals play the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, with the starter for the Marlins slated to be Chris Paddack, and the game can be listened to only through the Marlins radio broadcast, MIA Radio, via the MLB app
Tomorrow, the Nats take on the New York Mets at 1:05 PM ET at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, while on Sunday, they travel to Oriole Park at Camden Yards to play the Baltimore Orioles at 1:35 PM ET, which can be watched on MASN and listened to through The Team 980 via the MLB app
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
As we go through the last games of Spring Training and the rosters get more refined for the season, the focus naturally shifts to preparing and making sure everything’s in place for the first games of the regular season. With their season starting against three teams who made the playoffs last season—the Cubs, Phillies, and Dodgers—the Nationals will have to come out strong to compete with these particularly competitive teams. Some momentum from winning the last few games of Spring Training could particularly help boost the team going into these games, adding more pressure and stakes to the last two games against the Orioles in particular.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What do you think of the Nats' last few games of Spring Training? Can the team gain some momentum as they head into a tough few series in the regular season?
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 Nationals Skipper Gives Some Insight Into Team's Decision to Option Harry Ford (Sports Illustrated)
📌 These teams are projected for the biggest internal improvement (MLB)