February 23, 2020

There are only 31 days until MLB Opening Day 2020 and 40 days to the Washington Nationals Home Opener at Nationals Park! There are 143 more days until the 2020 MLB All-Star Game in LA.

Some of the news that we are covering today includes:

• Nats cheered, Astros booed during rained-out spring opener
• Castillo has a sore shoulder, plus other notes (game canceled)
• Washington Nationals are going to try Victor Robles in the leadoff spot this spring
• World Series favorites, ranked from 1 to 30
• Baseball's Astros and MLB need some lessons in damage control
• Cubs Well Positioned to Adapt to MLB’s New Rule Changes

Here are today’s latest Washington Nationals & MLB Headlines and what else you need to know to start your day.

Washington Nationals Headlines

Nats Cheered, Astros Booed During Rained-Out Spring Opener

They came to cheer the defending World Series champs and boo the runners up. And they did so at every possible opportunity.

Any mention of the Nationals (technically, the visiting team) tonight in the Grapefruit League opener at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches - a game that wound up getting canceled after two scoreless innings due to a persistent rain that would not go away - was met with rousing cheers from the thousands of red-clad fans who made their way down from D.C. for the weekend.

And any mention of the Astros (technically, the home team) was met with resounding boos from those same red-clad fans, who outnumbered their orange-and-navy counterparts by a hefty margin.

Read the full article via MASN Sports

Turner Will Steal Plenty Of Bags Hitting Third For The Washington Nationals

Davey Martinez will test Trea Turner as the number three hitter for the Washington Nationals, history tells us that won’t diminish Turner’s ability to steal bases.

Read the full article via District on Deck

Castillo Has Sore Shoulder, Plus Other Notes (Game Canceled)

The Nationals’ first injury of the spring may not involve a member of the 40-man roster, but it does involve a veteran trying to squeeze his way onto the opening day roster.

Welington Castillo, a catcher with 10 years of big league experience, was due to DH in tonight’s Grapefruit League opener but was scratched with a sore right shoulder.

Davey Martinez said Castillo approached him earlier today and informed him of the ailment. The manager didn’t hesitate to give him the night off.

Read the full article via MASN Sports

The Astros’ First Spring Training Game Had Booing, More Booing, A Rainout And A Stolen Sign

There was a game here Saturday night, the Houston Astros participated, and in an upset, the world did not explode.

But there was a lot of booing and a little bit of jeering, and one Washington Nationals fan brought a metal trash-can lid. Then it poured. Welcome to baseball in 2020. And welcome to the next eight months, Astros, because much more of this awaits.

Read the full article via the Washington Post

Washington Nationals Are Going To Try Victor Robles In The Leadoff Spot This Spring

If you were in the vague vicinity of West Palm Beach last Saturday, you probably heard the moment that Victor Robles arrived at the Washington Nationals’ Spring Training facility.

As usual, the young outfielder was overflowing with energy as he arrived a few days before position players were set to report, ready to get back into the swing of things after a memorable rookie season.

“I was having a nice quiet morning ... coffee, reading a little bit. He just came in really loud,” manager Dave Martinez said jokingly, as quoted by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman. “That’s who he is. He brings a lot of energy. I love him. He’s just that kind of kid.

Read the full article via Federal Baseball

With The Nationals At Spring Training: Gimme Five

The Nationals boast one of the best rotations in baseball, thanks in large part to the strengths of the four starters.

But there’s no turning the clock back to 1975 when four-man rotations were the rule, meaning somehow this team is going to need 30 or so starts from somebody.

It’s a thankless job, because while it’s difficult to make the playoffs without a reliable fifth starter most teams trim their rotations to four in the playoffs due to the off-days.

Read the full article via WTOP Washington

Video: Max Scherzer K's 2 Over 2 Innings

Max Scherzer strikes out two Astros batters over two scoreless innings in his first start of Spring Training

Watch the full video via MLB

Around The Horn: News From Around The League

World Series Favorites, Ranked From 1 To 30

We've finally heard the sweetest words of the spring -- pitchers and catchers report -- and that brings with it the end of what's been something of a wild and crazy offseason. (To say the least.) That means the 30 teams have their rosters more or less set, barring a non-roster invite here or a Kris Bryant trade there, and so we can look ahead at who's best positioned to do the only thing that matters: win the World Series.

So, as we've done in the past for World Series rosters and 2019-20 free agents, MLB.com's Will Leitch and Mike Petriello got together to draft the 30 teams based on one simple question: Who would you pick to win the World Series in 2020? Will gets the first pick, because Mike is so magnanimous. No snake drafts this time, just a straight one-through-30. This starts out pretty fun. Then it gets through all 30 teams.

Read the full article via MLB

Former MLB Player Aubrey Huff Explains World Series Reunion Snub: 'It Was All About President Trump'

Former MLB player Aubrey Huff shared his take Saturday night on why his former team, the San Francisco Giants, snubbed him from a reunion of their 2010 World Series team, being planned for this coming baseball season.

Huff said on "Watters' World" that his social media posts supporting President Trump likely prompted the Giants' decision.

"If you look at my Twitter account, I'd say about 75 percent of my support [is for] President Trump," Huff told host Jesse Watters. "So, yeah, absolutely. I have every reason to believe in my heart of hearts it was all about President Trump."

Read the full article via Fox News

Cubs Well Positioned To Adapt To MLB’s New Rule Changes

MLB officially announced several rules changes last week, most of which have already been discussed at length over the past few months. However, there are a few wrinkles and tweaks to roster and usage rules, almost all of which are focused on pitching. Now that we know for sure what guidelines will be in place for the coming season and beyond, I thought it would be worthwhile to review whether and how it might color the Cubs’ offseason.

While it’s been painfully obvious for some time now that financial considerations were the chief motivator of the team’s moves, it appears as though their strategy may have been informed by these new rules. That is particularly true of a bullpen based largely on bulk and featuring several buy-low pitchers with big velocity readings and high upside.

Read the full article via Cubs Insider

Baseball's Astros And MLB Need Some Lessons In Damage Control

Have you ever seen a worse public relations disaster than what’s happening right now with the Houston Astros and Major League Baseball over the sign-stealing cheating scandal?

They have managed to violate just about every rule in the book when it comes to crisis communications and it’s just getting started. Every sportscast and sports talk show in America is talking about the scandal 24/7 and I cannot imagine a worse black eye for not only Houston but all of MLB.

Read the full article via Buffalo News

Mets’ Seth Lugo Returns To Mound After Fracturing His Toe

Seth Lugo was back on a mound Saturday and looking forward to a normal spring training.

“All the pitches were there, executing and locating,” said the Mets right-hander, who had been limited to playing catch in recent days after fracturing his left pinky toe. Lugo threw without padding in his shoe.

“Real light and real simple right now, the further along we’ll start to do some tougher stuff.”

Read the full article via New York Post

Felix Hernandez Sharp In Braves Spring Debut

Felix Hernandez made his debut as the Atlanta Braves scored a 5-0 win in their Grapefruit League opener against the Baltimore Orioles.

Hernandez got the start and looked good firing a pair of hitless innings with one walk and two strikeouts. There was no radar gun on the broadcast but Hernandez did an adequate job of spotting his fastball while mixing in his good changeup and breaking ball.

Atlanta struck for three runs in the first against Orioles right-hander Chandler Shepherd. After an infield single by Ronald Acuña Jr and two walks loaded the bases, Adam Duvall blooped a single into center to put Atlanta up 1-0. Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte followed with a pair of sacrifice flies to increase the lead to 3-0.

Read the fill article via Talking Chop

Phillies Will Unveil A New-Look Phanatic On Sunday

You might have heard that slugger Rhys Hoskins made some changes to his batting stance and swing over the winter.

Hoskins isn't the only prominent Phillie who made some adjustments in the off-season.

Word around Phillies spring training camp is that the Phanatic has made a few alterations himself. Fans will get a peek at the Big Green Guy's new look Sunday when the Phillies host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Spectrum Field. Aaron Nola will be the Phillies' starting pitcher, Hoskins will be in the lineup, and, yes, the game will be televised on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Don't fret, Phanatic fans.

Read the full article via NBC Sports Philadelphia