Castro joins camp, Nats thinking about piping in crowd noise

The Nationals got one of their key absent regulars into camp today, encouraged to see Starlin Castro in person at last while still waiting for several others to be cleared to participate in summer training.

Castro, projected to be the club's new second baseman and potentially No. 3 hitter, hadn't been allowed to come to Nationals Park upon first arriving from the Dominican Republic. Team officials have not been able to provide specific details related to players' absences during the first portion of camp, except to reveal two players tested positive for COVID-19 during intake screening and some others who were in contact with those players are required to quarantine and test negative again before they can work at the ballpark.

Castro is one of several Nationals players from the Dominican Republic who until today had not been allowed to participate. Starting outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles, pitchers Wander Suero and Joan Adon, and infielder Luis García have not been cleared yet. Nor have veteran infielder Howie Kendrick (who lives in Arizona) or left-hander Roenis Elías (who lives in Texas).

"We're still waiting to hear about those other guys," manager Davey Martinez said. "But they're working diligently, MLB and our medical staff, to get those guys cleared. Hopefully, we'll get them soon."

Castro, who made three All-Star teams as a shortstop with the Cubs and then another as a second baseman with the Yankees, is projected to be the Nationals' regular second baseman this season. After a second-half surge with the Marlins last year left him with totals of 22 homers, 31 doubles, 86 RBIs and a .736 OPS, he's been one of Martinez's top candidates to take over Anthony Rendon's large shoes as the club's No. 3 hitter.

"It was good to see Starlin," Martinez said. "He looks like he did a lot of stuff during the off time. He's ready to go. He looked good today. It's good to have him back."

Castro fielded grounders and took batting practice today, just as most of his teammates did. It was a fairly light workout, with catchers taking live BP off relievers James Bourque and Sam Freeman but otherwise more rudimentary and individual drills.

All of this, of course, took place in an empty ballpark. It's something players are trying to get used to. And it's something team officials are trying to figure out how to deal with once the season begins in two weeks.

Some clubs have already been piping in crowd noise during intrasquad games. The Nationals haven't done that to date, but Martinez admitted they're considering it.

"We've thought about it," the manager said. "We're throwing a lot of things out there. We haven't come to a final conclusion yet. We'll see. I've been talking to players about different things. We'll see what transpires."

Whatever the Nationals decide to do in the end to help create more of a typical ballpark scene for games, it won't be possible to fully duplicate the experience with fans in attendance. Martinez doesn't want his players overthinking that.

"We've really got to focus on each other and keep that energy," he said. "Focus on playing the game. I try to tell them all the time: Our fans are going to be watching. The games are going to be on TV. They're still somehow going to watch all the games. Just come ready to play.

"I know it's going to be different. It's going to be a lot different. I'm sure people are going to be able to hear me think, and I can't say some of the things that I'd normally say, cause it's going to be loud. Just keep in mind, it's still baseball. Gotta hit the ball, gotta catch the ball, gotta throw the ball. Let's just focus on what we need to do to be successful."