Good Thursday Morning, Washington Nationals Fans. It is almost Friday!
Today's Game Time Forecast at Port St. Lucie via the National Weather Service: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Upcoming Games:
- 3/4/2021 at Mets 1:10 pm EST Game on ESPN
- 3/5/2021 vs. St. Louis 6:05 pm EST
- 3/6/2021 at Marlins 1:05 pm EST
Make sure to follow The Nats Report on Twitter for updates on the latest Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball during the day!
Countdown Clock:
Opening Day: 28 Days
MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, GA: 131 Days
Today's Top Story: Lester to have thyroid gland removed; Flying to New York to have procedure
During a press conference with reporters before yesterday's game, Dave Martinez announced that Lester flew to New York on Wednesday to undergo a procedure to remove the gland on Friday.
"I definitely believe in talking to him that it's something that for his mind's sake that we needed to take care of right away," Martinez said. "I think he's upbeat about it — I know he's upbeat about it. As soon as we can take care of that, all he wants to do is come back and help us win and get back on the mound. So we're all for it."
Read More about it via The Nats Report.
Notes from Yesterday's Spring Training Game
Yesterday, the Washington Nationals faced the Miami Marlins at West Palm Beach. Even though they lost to the Marlins 8-5, Washington Nationals big bat hitters came to play during the game. Both recently acquired Josh Bell and Kyle Schwaber hit home runs.
Juan Soto played in his first Spring Training Game of the 2021 season after suffering an injury to his foot during batting practice that prevented him from playing during the past couple of days.
Four Remarkable Women who had an impact on Major League Baseball
March is International Women's month, and at the Nats Report, we will be spotlighting four women from the past who had a major impact on Major League Baseball.
From the special report: "Mamie Johnson was one of the first women to pitch in the Negro Leagues. Johnson's nickname was "Peanut" during her career due to her small height of 5 feet, 3 inches. According to history, she earned the nickname after an at-bat where she faced Hank Baylis of the Kansas City Monarchs."
Click here to read the full article via The Nats Report.
While you were Sleeping: Jackie Bradley Jr. To Sign with the Milwaukee Brewers & Major League Baseball to have annual Lou Gehrig Day on June 2
Early this morning, Jeff Passan of ESPN [Twitter Link] reported that center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. plans to sign a two-year, 24 million dollar deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an opt-out after the first year.
Additionally, Passan reports that Major League Baseball plans to honor the New York Yankee Legend every year on June 2. From the article: "Major League Baseball will hold a sportwide Lou Gehrig Day starting this season, honoring the Hall of Fame New York Yankees first baseman whose grace and courage fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis inspired a group of those affected by the disease to make June 2 synonymous with him.
The plans, revealed to ESPN and expected to be announced by MLB on Thursday morning, include an annual tribute in which uniformed personnel will wear a jersey patch celebrating Gehrig, and a "4-ALS" logo -- commemorating his No. 4 -- will be displayed around stadiums. The league will use the occasion to raise money and awareness to battle ALS and pay homage to ALS advocacy groups like the LG4Day committee, which turned an off-the-cuff text into a cause that will bring together the sport."
Click here to read the full article
It's Offical No Fans at Nationals Park for Opening Day
As we quickly approach opening day for Major League Baseball, the Washington Nationals yesterday announced that there would be no fans in the stands for the season's first game against the New York Mets.
According to a Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, a letter was sent to the team Tuesday. The Nationals will not be allowed to have any fans in the stands for Opening Day. DC Health Director told the Nationals decision to allow fans at games could be reconsidered later this month based on COVID-19 metrics, but for now, the Nationals will be playing at Nats Park without Fans.
Podcast Alert: In the Clubhouse with the Nats Report
On Monday, we released a fresh new episode of In the Clubhouse with the Nats Report. Richard sat down with the Managing Editor of Fish Stripes and discussed what the Miami Marlins were up to during the offseason. Take a listen to the discussion on your favorite podcasting platform.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1300KTlj5KCCJ9DKL3PcbQ
Megaphone: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/AMPM7935290030
In the News: Richard was interviewed on the Baseball Writers IBWAA Podcast; it was a lot of fun. Check out the interview to learn a little more about myself. The interview starts at minute 50 of the podcast!
Washington Nationals Headlines and Major League Baseball
- How hitting coach Kevin Long ended up back with the Washington Nationals... via Federal Baseball
- Jacob Condra-Bogan's latest tweet is spot on via District on Deck
- Spring Training 2021: What's happening at first base for the Nationals? via WTOP Radio
- 2021 Season Preview: Washington Nationals via Talking Chop
- Long explains contract issue that briefly left him unemployed via MASN Sports Washington
- What makes Juan Soto so special and unique according to Washington Nationals' hitting coach Kevin Long... via Federal Baseball
- Newsom says state is on track to allow fans at MLB games by opening day via LA Times
- A GameStop investor's guide to the 2021 MLB season: Crazy picks that might just pay off via Yahoo Sports
- In Expected Move, MLB Delays Triple-A Season via Fan Graph
- Why Justin Turner, 'heart and soul' of the Dodgers, was never leaving Los Angeles via The Athletic