Good Morning, Washington Nationals Fans,

Some of the news that we are covering today includes:

  • Nationals' No. 2 prospect Luis Garcia hits two-run home run in spring training loss
  • Juan Soto’s power made him a household name. His plate discipline could make him an all-timer.
  • If Max Scherzer were commissioner, the first rule he'd change is the dropped third strike
  • More tests for Judge; Boone 'frustrated for him'
  • Yu Darvish allows 1st-pitch HR, flashes 98 mph fastball in spring debut
  • Lack of Mets chaos feels earth-shattering

and more...

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


Washington Nationals Headlines

Starlin Castro Welcomes Loftier Expectations, And The Nationals Are Counting On Him To Deliver

Starlin Castro noticed the difference when he walked into the Washington Nationals’ team dining room. Players were eating together, talking, and laughing. There was a self-assurance, cool confidence, and the mood continued into the clubhouse and onto the field. The moments stood out to Castro because he hadn’t seen many like them during his previous two years with the Miami Marlins. Last season was one of the most difficult of his career. He played all 162 games, and the Marlins won just 57 of them. Manager Don Mattingly tried to give Castro days off, but he wouldn’t take them because he wanted to lead the team while it was “rebuilding,” his polite description of a roster stripped almost to the studs.

Read the full article via The Washington Post

Corbin Last Starter To Get Eased Into Action'

Nationals manager Dave Martinez had observed more than two weeks of warmups by the time his entire starting rotation of pitchers had made their Spring Training debuts.

“When you watch bullpens, like I do every day, they wow you,” Martinez said. “Like, ‘Wow, man, they’ve got good stuff.’ Now all of a sudden, I like to see them go out and compete, and compete against guys in other uniforms.”

Patrick Corbin was the final starter to make a spring start. He threw two innings against the Cardinals on Saturday in the Nationals’ 6-3 loss at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The lefty allowed one hit, one run and two walks in his first appearance since pitching out of the bullpen in Game 7 of the World Series against the Astros.

Read the full article via Nationals MLB

Nationals' No. 2 Prospect Luis Garcia Hits Two-Run Home Run In Spring Training Loss

The Nationals are down in West Palm Beach for spring training as they get ready for the 2020 MLB season, and Luis Garcia had a big moment in their win on 6-3 loss on Saturday.

Garcia, the team's number two prospect, hit a two-run homer, a moment that the Nationals' official account used to draw comparisons to one of the team's biggest stars.

Read the full article via NBC Sports Washington

Hearing From Corbin, Martinez And García After A 6-3 Loss

When Nationals manager Davey Martinez outlined his desire to delay Patrick Corbin’s first Grapefruit League start until the beginning of the second week of exhibition games, the left-hander took the one-week deferral in stride.

“I actually didn’t think too much about it,” Corbin said. “I was told the 29th was my first game, but it was good. I think it was smart, a smart move, just with how much a lot of us did throw last year. Max (Scherzer) wanted to throw Game 1, so he was a little different. But I think it’s good for all of us. We’ll still get plenty of starts, plenty of innings this spring to build up. We’re ready to go.”

Read the full article via MASN Sports

Juan Soto’s Power Made Him A Household Name. His Plate Discipline Could Make Him An All-Timer.

The other night, in the latest in an interminable line of innocuous spring training games, the Washington Nationals had a runner on third base. Juan Soto came to the plate. He saw four pitches. He never lifted his bat. He walked to first base.

“Hey, man,” Howie Kendrick said to him back in the dugout. “You don’t like steaks?”

A steak, in dugout parlance, is an RBI. (RBI = rib-eye. Get it?) Soto knew exactly what Kendrick was asking.

“I like them,” Soto responded. “But they weren’t strikes.”

Read the full article via The Washington Post

If Max Scherzer Were Commissioner, The First Rule He'd Change Is The Dropped Third Strike

Nationals' ace Max Scherzer has not been afraid to voice his opinions during spring training thus far.

The 35-year-old had a strong stance on the Astros' scandal, stating he hopes the union and MLB can come together to ensure something like it never happens again. Additionally, he strongly advocated against a new proposed playoff format, one that would have seven teams in each league make the postseason instead of five.

Earlier this week, Scherzer was asked what's one rule he would change if he were the commissioner of Major League Baseball. His response, although a minor detail in the game, is one many pitchers probably agree with him on.

Read the full article via NBC Sports Washington


Around The Horn: News From Around The League

More Tests For Judge; Boone 'Frustrated For Him'

The Yankees are having Aaron Judge undergo further testing to determine the cause of the lingering discomfort near the slugger's right pectoral muscle, manager Aaron Boone said after Saturday's 8-2 Grapefruit League victory over the Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Judge has been proceeding conservatively since aggravating his right shoulder while hitting at the club's Minor League complex earlier this month. Though Judge has continued to perform conditioning and defensive drills, including throwing at distances up to 120 feet, he has not taken outdoor swings since position players reported to camp on Feb. 17.

Read the full article via MLB

Cubs' Yu Darvish Allows 1st-Pitch HR, Flashes 98 Mph Fastball In Spring Debut

Yu Darvish's spring training debut Saturday began exactly the way he predicted.

First pitch, home run.

Orlando Arcia connected right away, launching a drive over the fence in left-center field, prompting the Chicago Cubs right-hander to rapidly snap his glove open and closed, imploring the plate umpire to give him another ball.

Read the full article via ESPN

Lack Of Mets Chaos Feels Earth-Shattering

Exactly what alternate universe have we entered, and do The Beatles exist in this one?

While the Yankees average about one injury setback per game, with Aaron Judge’s right shoulder setting off deafening alarms on Saturday, the Mets sit as a picture of good health … and, even more surprising, tranquility.

On a picturesque Saturday afternoon at FitTeam Ballpark of the Palms Beaches, the Mets put together a two-run ninth inning to jump over the loathed Astros, 2-1, to reward their energetic fans who took over enemy territory. With a second straight win, Luis Rojas’ group raised its Grapefruit League record to an underwhelming 3-5-1.

Read the full via the New York Post

How The Braves’ Debt Grew To $559 Million

Financial disclosures filed this week showed the Braves brought in a franchise-record amount of revenue last year, but also showed the team’s growing debt.

According to an annual report filed by team owner Liberty Media with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Braves had $559 million in debt on the books as of Dec. 31, up from $494 million at the end of 2018.The team’s debt at the close of 2019 included $304 million from the construction of SunTrust Park (now Truist Park), $180 million from the development of The Battery Atlanta mixed-use complex adjacent to the stadium, $30 million from construction of the new spring training complex in North Port, Fla., and $45 million for operations, according to Liberty Media’s filing.

Read the full article via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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