Weems ascended into more prominent role in Nats bullpen

Jordan Weems blue jersey

PLAYER REVIEW: JORDAN WEEMS

Age on Opening Day 2024: 31

How acquired: Signed as minor-league free agent, March 2022

MLB service time: 2 years, 55 days

2023 salary: $720,000

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Source: Parra, Gutierrez promoted to Nats' coaching staff

Gerardo Parra

In reshaping their coaching staff, the Nationals appear to be looking inward for help.

The Nats are promoting Ricky Gutierrez to third base coach and Gerardo Parra to first base coach, a source familiar with the decisions confirmed, filling two of the four vacant jobs on Davey Martinez’s big league staff with a couple of former big league players who already worked for the organization.

Gutierrez, who replaces Gary DiSarcina, spent this season as the Nationals run prevention coordinator, essentially an extra infield coach on the major league staff who traveled with the team and was in the dugout during games. He received praise for his work with CJ Abrams, who developed into a much better defensive shortstop over the course of the season.

The 53-year-old former infielder for the Padres, Astros, Cubs, Indians, Mets and Red Sox will be coaching third base in the majors for the first time. He does have some experience at that position, though, as manager of the Reds’ Double-A affiliate in 2021.

DiSarcina had far more big league coaching experience, including the last two years with the Nationals, but the club did not renew his contract after the season ended, signaling a desire for better performance at that position.

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Healthier Harvey provided late-inning stability for Nats

Hunter Harvey white jersey

PLAYER REVIEW: HUNTER HARVEY

Age on Opening Day 2024: 29

How acquired: Claimed off waivers from Giants, March 2022

MLB service time: 4 years, 47 days

2023 salary: $870,000

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Towering D.C. baseball legend Frank Howard dies at 87

FrankHoward

Frank Howard, the hulking slugger who won over a generation of Washington baseball fans with his towering home runs and genteel personality, has died at 87, the Nationals announced this afternoon.

Affectionately known to fans as “Hondo,” “The Capitol Punisher” and “The Washington Monument,” Howard played 16 seasons in four major league cites and spent another two decades coaching and managing for six other organizations. But his legacy was defined by the seven seasons he spent with the Washington Senators from 1965-71, blasting homers into the upper deck at RFK Stadium and becoming every local baseball fan’s favorite player for life, including one young D.C. native who would eventually own the city’s next big league club.

“Growing up a baseball fan in Washington, D.C., Frank Howard was my hero,” Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner said in a statement released by the team. “The towering home runs he hit into the stands at RFK Stadium gave him the nickname ‘Capital Punisher,’ but I’ll always remember him as a kind and gentle man. The entire Lerner family would like to offer our thoughts and condolences to Frank’s family during this difficult time. The world of baseball has truly lost a giant.”

Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 255 pounds, Howard would’ve been a physically imposing hitter in today’s game. In the 1960s and ’70s, he was a jaw-dropping presence in a sport not known for producing many players of that stature.

Signed by the Dodgers out of Ohio State in March 1958, Howard made his major league debut that September. The outfielder became a full-time big leaguer in 1960 and won National League Rookie of the Year honors, then finished ninth in the MVP race two seasons later.

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Through ups and downs, Nats have stuck with Finnegan

Kyle Finnegan

PLAYER REVIEW: KYLE FINNEGAN

Age on Opening Day 2024: 32

How acquired: Signed as free agent, December 2019

MLB service time: 4 years

2023 salary: $2.325 million

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Nats still hope selection of Ward will pay off long-term

Thaddeus Ward gray

PLAYER REVIEW: THADDEUS WARD

Age on Opening Day 2024: 27

How acquired: Selected in Rule 5 draft, December 2022

MLB service time: 1 year

2023 salary: $720,000

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Rutledge finally arrived in D.C., but is he ready to stay?

rutledge v ATL

PLAYER REVIEW: JACKSON RUTLEDGE

Age on Opening Day 2024: 24

How acquired: First-round pick, 2019 Draft

MLB service time: 19 days

2023 salary: $720,000

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After surprise rookie season, is Irvin part of Nats' plan?

Jake Irvin blue jersey

PLAYER REVIEW: JAKE IRVIN

Age on Opening Day 2024: 27

How acquired: Fourth-round pick, 2018 Draft

MLB service time: 152 days

2023 salary: $720,000

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Would Williams fare better in bullpen after struggling as starter?

Trevor Williams

PLAYER REVIEW: TREVOR WILLIAMS

Age on Opening Day 2024: 31

How acquired: Signed as free agent, December 2022

MLB service time: 7 years, 27 days

2023 salary: $6 million

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Any reason to believe anything will change in Corbin's final year?

Patrick Corbin blue jersey

PLAYER REVIEW: PATRICK CORBIN

Age on Opening Day 2024: 34

How acquired: Signed as free agent, December 2018

MLB service time: 11 years, 105 days

2023 salary: $24 million

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With more consistency, Gore could grow into Nats' ace

Mackenzie Gore

PLAYER REVIEW: MACKENZIE GORE

Age on Opening Day 2024: 25

How acquired: Traded with CJ Abrams, James Wood, Robert Hassell III, Jarlin Susana and Luke Voit from Padres for Juan Soto and Josh Bell, August 2022

MLB service time: 2 years

2023 salary: $723,300

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After season of real progress, Gray wants to take next step

Josiah Gray

PLAYER REVIEW: JOSIAH GRAY

Age on Opening Day 2024: 26

How acquired: Traded with Keibert Ruiz, Donovan Casey and Gerardo Carrillo from Dodgers for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, July 2021

MLB service time: 2 years, 75 days

2023 salary: $730,000

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Back injury spoiled Robles' potential bounceback season

Victor Robles run white

PLAYER REVIEW: VICTOR ROBLES

Age on Opening Day 2024: 26

How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2013

MLB service time: 5 years, 33 days

2023 salary: $2.325 million

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Could Adams' improvements lead to more playing time?

Riley Adams catchers gear CC gray

PLAYER REVIEW: RILEY ADAMS

Age on Opening Day 2024: 27

How acquired: Traded from Blue Jays for Brad Hand, July 2021

MLB service time: 2 years, 50 days

2023 salary: $728,800

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Alu has work to do at plate to prove he can stick in D.C.

Jake Alu red jersey

PLAYER REVIEW: JAKE ALU

Age on Opening Day 2024: 26

How acquired: 24th-round pick, 2019 Draft

MLB service time: 73 days

2023 salary: $720,000

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Speedy Young burst onto scene, thrusting himself into 2024 mix

Jacob Young blue jersey

PLAYER REVIEW: JACOB YOUNG

Age on Opening Day 2024: 24

How acquired: Seventh-round pick, 2021 Draft

MLB service time: 37 days

2023 salary: $720,000

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Chavis, Rutherford, Harris free agents after cut from 40-man roster

Michael Chavis throw blue

The Nationals are cutting ties with infielder Michael Chavis, outfielder Blake Rutherford and reliever Hobie Harris, clearing necessary space on their 40-man roster as they prepare to enter the offseason.

Chavis, Rutherford and Harris cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Rochester. Both Chavis and Rutherford, who ended the season on the active big league roster, had the right to declare free agency and chose to do so, leaving the organization. Harris, who made the Opening Day bullpen but spent most of the season with Rochester, will be a minor league free agent at the conclusion of the World Series.

Those three moves, plus comparable moves with reliever Victor Arano and outfielder Travis Blankenhorn earlier this month, cleared a total of five spots on the Nationals’ 40-man roster, which ultimately will be needed for players who ended the season on the 60-day injured list.

The Nats had six such players on the 60-day IL at season’s end: catcher Riley Adams, outfielders Stone Garrett and Victor Robles, and right-handers Cade Cavalli, Carl Edwards Jr. and Stephen Strasburg. Edwards becomes eligible for free agency after the World Series and is unlikely to return.

Strasburg has already come to the conclusion he’ll need to retire after a failed attempt to return from thoracic outlet surgery, but until he and the organization come to an agreement on how to handle the $105 million he’s still owed through 2026, he will need to occupy a spot on the 40-man roster.

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Thomas is Gold Glove Award finalist for first time

Lane Thomas red catching

Lane Thomas has been recognized for his stellar defensive season with his first career Gold Glove Award nomination.

Thomas today was named by Rawlings Sports one of three finalists for the award among National League right fielders, along with the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts and the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr.

Winners at all positions will be announced Nov. 5 on ESPN.

It’s the first time Thomas has finished in the top three at his position in voting conducted by major league managers and coaches near the end of the regular season. The ultimate winner will be determined both by those votes and a sabermetic component provided by the Society for American Baseball Research, which accounts for 25 percent of the final tally.

Thomas enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Nationals not only at the plate (where he hit 28 homers and stole 20 bases) but also in the field. He was second among all NL outfielders with 18 assists, trailing only the Rockies’ Nolan Jones (who played all three outfield positions, plus first and third bases) by one.

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Garrett, if fully recovered, can be part of Nats' plan

Stone Garrett

PLAYER REVIEW: STONE GARRETT

Age on Opening Day 2024: 28

How acquired: Signed as free agent, November 2022

MLB service time: 1 year, 50 days

2023 salary: $720,000

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Does Call have future with Nats after disappointing year?

Alex Call running City Connect

PLAYER REVIEW: ALEX CALL

Age on Opening Day 2024: 29

How acquired: Claimed off waivers from Guardians, August 2022

MLB service time: 1 year, 66 days

2023 salary: $721,800

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