In partnership with
Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Monday, February 23, 2026
Stay safe and warm today, hopefully this is the last snow blast for this winter! Also, don't forget to donate to our Opening Day fundraising campaign! We would love to meet our goal of reaching 3K by Opening Day. Every donation amount helps us provide you with the best Washington Nationals content possible this season! We need your help!
Also, in the coming days and weeks ahead, we are going to be getting ready for Opening Day!! Believe it or not! For Nats Report+ subscribers only, we are going to be hosting a Live Chat and you will have access to all the latest Washington Nationals news, lineups, and so much more in one dedicated place for you! If you want the most comprehensive coverage of Nationals Opening Day, become a Nats Report+ subscriber today!
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up!
Games Have Begun!
Via Rochester Red Wings
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Baseball is officially back, and the Nationals started off with a bang! The Nats kicked off Spring Training with a sweep of a split-squad doubleheader, defeating the Astros at home, 2-1, and the Cardinals in Jupiter, 6-2, on Saturday.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
At Cacti Park, CJ Abrams put the Nationals on the board with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth inning to tie the score at 1-1
This was Abrams’ second time reaching base after hitting a double down the right field line in his last at-bat
In the sixth inning, Jorgelys Mota smashed a 434 ft. home run over the centerfield wall, which ended up being the game-winner
After an unearned run scored off of starting pitcher Jake Eder in the second inning, the Nationals' bullpen combined for seven scoreless innings
The bullpen got 10 strikeouts and allowed just two hits to earn the win for the Nats
Also on Saturday, over in Jupiter, FL, Max Romero Jr. led the Nationals' offense with a three-run homer in the fifth inning to extend Washington's lead over the Cardinals, 6-2
Trey Lipscomb reached base in all three of his plate appearances, doubling in the 1st inning before adding an RBI single in the 3rd and a walk in the 5th
Recent acquisition Isaac Lyon threw two perfect innings with three strikeouts in his Spring Training debut
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
While it is only the first games of Spring Training, and a split-squad doubleheader at that, these two strong offensive and defensive showings project promise in this team. With a variety of players contributing on offense as well as the dominance of the Nats' bullpen on the other side of the ball, there can be real hope for the coming season, even if it is still very early.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What did you think about the Nats’ strong showings in the split-squad games? Which did you think was stronger, the bullpen or the hitters?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more on this past weekend’s games, check out Nats Report’s Game Recap of Sunday’s game against the Marlins
Want exclusive breakdowns before anyone else? 🔔 Subscribe to The Nats Report+ Morning Briefing — exclusive access, deep dives, and so much more!
GAME RECAP
🔥 What A Way To Start
With Six Runs in One Inning, Nats Start Off Strong
Final Score: Nationals 16, Miami Marlins 8
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
Location: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Powered by Brady House’s two home runs and an explosive 5th inning, the Nationals dominate Miami 16-8 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The pitching lineup got the job done with precision, striking out 13 batters and only allowing 10 hits.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Mitchell Parker ([1–0], 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)
Losing Pitcher: Sandy Alcantara ([0–1], 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)
Key Hitters:
Brady House: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Warming Bernabel: 2-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI
Team RISP: [7-for-20]
Errors: Nats 0, Marlins 0
Attendance: 2,691
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Regarding the potential of leadoff hitter Nasim Nuñez, manager Blake Butera said, “The speed’s really good, the ability to put the ball in play, [he’s] just such a dynamic player. […] We want to see what type of spark he is in the front part of the lineup. He's got a lot of energy. He's bouncy, too.”
📅 NEXT AT BAT
What’s on deck: Upcoming game details, probable pitchers, and storylines.
Next Game: vs. Philadelphia Phillies, February 23, 6:05 PM ET, CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
Probables: Nats — Jake Irvin, Opponent — Alan Rangel
Key Storyline: Can the Nats keep up their solid Spring Training start against a strong Phillies batting lineup?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ House
✅ Bernabel
✅ The Bullpen
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
Subscribe to Nats Report+ for insider quotes, and extra analytics and so much more.
Upcoming Games
Via Ryan Shenker
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
With Spring Training in full swing, the Nats are busy with full slates of games almost every week. This week is no exception, with every day having a game that’s being played.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Today, the Nationals take on the Philadelphia Phillies at 6:05 PM ET at home at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
Tuesday evening at 6:05 PM ET, the Nationals play the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
Probable pitching matchup for tomorrow is Cade Cavalli for the Nats and Andre Pallante for the Cardinals
This evening’s game can be listened to through the Nationals broadcast on 106.7 The Fan, while Tuesday’s game can only be listened to through the Cardinals Radio Network, both of which can be found on the MLB app
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Today’s Phillies game presents a clear opportunity for the Nationals to show what they can do against a team that has proven that they can make a deep playoff run. While it may still be Spring Training, meaning that most teams won’t be playing all of their stars, this game could be a good showing for the team to show how much progress the rebuild has made since the end of last season.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
How strong of a showing do you think the Nationals could put on against the Phillies this evening? How much will pitching play a role in the game?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more info on upcoming Spring Training games and all Spring Training updates, check out our How to Watch Washington Nationals 2026 Games guide and Nats Report’s Spring Training Liveblog.
Want the full breakdown before anyone else? 🔔 Subscribe to The Nats Report Morning Briefing — exclusive access, deep dives, and insider audio drops every weekday morning.
Health, Without the Hassle
Between work, family, and everything else, most people aren’t looking for another complicated wellness routine. They just want something that works.
AG1 Next Gen is a clinically studied daily health drink designed to support gut health, fill common nutrient gaps, and help maintain steady energy. One scoop a day, and you’re covered.
Start your mornings with AG1 and get 3 FREE AG1 Travel Packs, 3 FREE AGZ Travel Packs, and FREE Vitamin D3+K2 in your Welcome Kit with your first subscription.
theFUTURE
Via Washington Nationals
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Last year, we launched our dedicated newsletter around the Washington Nationals minor leagues called "theFUTURE". So this year, we are going to make it even easier to follow what's happening around the Nationals' minor leagues as we have a dedicated reporter covering each of the Nationals’ minor league teams. The Nats Report is the ONLY newsletter/website that covers the entire Washington Nationals organization from the minors to the majors. Here are the latest two stories around the Minors:
Each edition of our Morning Briefing will feature the latest news from the Nationals' minor league teams right in this box!
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
Be sure to donate to the Nats Report to help us cover all the Washington Nationals organization!
Want the full breakdown before anyone else? 🔔 Subscribe to The Nats Report Morning Briefing — exclusive access, deep dives, and insider audio drops every weekday morning.
WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 Nationals Release New Look Lineup for Game 3 of Spring Training (Sports Illustrated)
📌 The best soon-to-be free agent from each division (MLB)