Martinez on Turner's forearm, constructing lineup with DH

Martinez on Turner's forearm, constructing lineup with DH
The Nationals breathed a heavy sigh of relief earlier today when manager Davey Martinez spoke to Trea Turner and the shortstop told him that he was feeling well enough to play tonight. Turner was struck by a pitch in his left forearm during Sunday's series finale against the Mets at Citi Field and departed the contest early, adding yet another name to the long list of injury concerns. But after X-rays returned negative, Turner was diagnosed with a contusion and had Monday's scheduled off-day...
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Game 20 lineups: Nats at Blue Jays

Game 20 lineups: Nats at Blue Jays
Earlier this month, former Nationals catcher Jonathan Lucroy compared his time in D.C. to the storyline of the movie "The Replacements," in which Keanu Reeves leads a group of replacement players on the fictional Washington Sentinels to the playoffs in their fictional football league. (Of course, that movie was loosely based on the 1987 Washington Football Team replacements who won three games and helped the team go on to win the Super Bowl.) Well, I'm no Shane Falco, but I'll do my best as...
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Mr. National: Zimmerman closing in on more franchise records

Mr. National: Zimmerman closing in on more franchise records
In a time when there is still so much uncertainty in the world, there are some things we do know for a fact as it relates to the 2021 baseball season. Spring training started on time and was completed without any serious hiccups. The Nationals will start their 2021 campaign eventually, even after a player returned a positive COVID-19 test yesterday and opening day against the Mets was postponed. There is no universal designated hitter and the regular 10-team postseason is back, while the...
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Scherzer, Nats still not talking contract ahead of opening day

Scherzer, Nats still not talking contract ahead of opening day
Opening day brings the hope of a new baseball season. Not even a positive COVID-19 test can change that. "We're gonna play tomorrow night," confirmed general manager Mike Rizzo on a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday afternoon after announcing the unfortunate, but not devastating, news. What opening day does not bring, however, is any clarity on Max Scherzer's future contract situation with the Nationals. After the conversation switched to more baseball-related topics, Rizzo was asked if he...
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Braymer learning from experience and veterans in camp

Braymer learning from experience and veterans in camp
Ben Braymer has been with the Nationals longer than you might think. An 18th-round draft pick out of Auburn University in 2016, the 26-year-old left-hander is entering his sixth season in the organization. Considering his age, the year he was drafted (the same as Carter Kieboom and former Nats prospects Dane Dunning and Jesús Luzardo) and his progression through the minor league system, you might be surprised even still that Braymer finished 2020 as just the Nationals' No. 22 ranked...
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Romero and Braymer stretching out as starters

Romero and Braymer stretching out as starters
The Nationals have been very clear about how they will utilize their top pitching prospects. Guys like Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli project to be front-line starters, and general manager Mike Rizzo has confirmed that's the path the organization has set them on. But the futures of some mid-level prospects aren't as certain. Guys like Seth Romero and Ben Braymer have pitched both as starters and relievers throughout their careers, dating back to their time in college and continuing through...
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Spring training expectations set for Rutledge and Cavalli

Spring training expectations set for Rutledge and Cavalli
Reporting to the first day of spring training as rookies must feel a lot like a freshman arriving on campus for the first day of high school. But instead of being surrounded by jocks, cliques and faculty, you're stepping into a clubhouse full of world champions, a World Series MVP, a Cy Young Award winner and All-Stars. OK, so in a sense, still jocks. But for the sake of the analogy, if spring training is like high school, then rookies are freshman, veterans are upperclassmen, coaches are...
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New Nats looking forward to playing with young stars

New Nats looking forward to playing with young stars
Spring has sprung and a new baseball season is upon us, as Nationals pitchers and catchers officially report to West Palm Beach today for the start of camp. The start of spring training for returning players and coaches means the start of a new pursuit for a championship. For fans, it means the start of another season of cheering on their favorite club. For new players, it means the opportunity to get familiar with new teammates and a new clubhouse. With the additions of Josh Bell, Kyle...
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Cavalli cracks MLBPipeline.com's top 100 prospects list

Cavalli cracks MLBPipeline.com's top 100 prospects list
Some - maybe not much, but some - was made a little over a week ago when the Nationals did not have a single prospect land in Baseball America's top 100 prospects list. They were the only major league team to not have at least one prospect ranked by the publication. But on Thursday night, another highly regarded source for baseball prospect news came out with its own top 100 rankings, and this time, the Nationals were not shut out. Right-hander Cade Cavalli found himself as the 99th overall...
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Patrick and Jen Corbin surprise Youth Baseball Academy families with shopping spree

Patrick and Jen Corbin surprise Youth Baseball Academy families with shopping spree
The holidays have passed and the calendar has turned to 2021, but that doesn't mean one has to lose his or her spirit of giving. Especially during these uncertain times. Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin and his wife, Jen, certainly took that to heart as they recently surprised six families from the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy with a Macy's shopping experience via Zoom. In case you may have missed it or forgotten, the Youth Baseball Academy safely returned to play by opening a modified...
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Mike Rizzo and Kris Kline on drafting Cade Cavalli

Mike Rizzo and Kris Kline on drafting Cade Cavalli
General manager Mike Rizzo and assistant GM & vice president of scouting operations Kris Kline spoke with reporters via Zoom conference call on Wednesday after selecting right-hander Cade Cavalli with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
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Cade Cavalli excited to join "best organization out there"

Cade Cavalli excited to join "best organization out there"
Oklahoma right-hander Cade Cavalli spoke with reporters via Zoom conference call on Wednesday after being selected by the Nationals with the No. 22 overall pick of the 2020 MLB Draft.
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Let's make a deal | MASN All Access Podcast

Let's make a deal | MASN All Access Podcast
While negotiations continue, time may be running out. Bobby Blanco and Mark Zuckerman break down MLB's latest proposal to play and the obstacles it faces.
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Eric Thames remembers "living at Dunkin' Donuts" during his time in South Korea

Eric Thames remembers "living at Dunkin' Donuts" during his time in South Korea
Eric Thames sat down with Paul Mancano in West Palm Beach to discuss his days as a player in South Korea.
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Bowie Baysox skipper Buck Britton on winning Eastern League Manager of the Year

Bowie Baysox skipper Buck Britton on winning Eastern League Manager of the Year
Paul Mancano sits down with Bowie Baysox manager Buck Britton in Sarasota.
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A Voth of confidence | MASN All Access Podcast

A Voth of confidence | MASN All Access Podcast
Bobby Blanco and Paul Mancano discuss the battle for the Nats' fifth starter spot.
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Rounding into form | MASN All Access Podcast

Rounding into form | MASN All Access Podcast
Paul Mancano and Bobby Blanco discuss the Orioles' evolving rotation battle, and Paul sits with O's director of baseball development Eve Rosenbaum.
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Remembering the Nats' most iconic regular season wins of 2019

Remembering the Nats' most iconic regular season wins of 2019
MASNsports.com's Mark Zuckerman reflects on his favorite games of the Nationals' 2019 regular season.
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Coaching Carter | MASN All Access Podcast

Coaching Carter | MASN All Access Podcast
Bobby Blanco and Paul Mancano discuss Carter Kieboom's early struggles in spring training.
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Touring Ed Smith Stadium in its 10th anniversary season

Touring Ed Smith Stadium in its 10th anniversary season
Paul Mancano tours Ed Smith Stadium with Trevor Markham, the Orioles Director of Florida Operations.
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