Nats Downed Again, 7-5; First ST Cuts
The Tigers got three runs in the 9th against AAA fodder to send the Nats to a 7-5 loss – their ninth in 16 spring training games.
Erick Fedde pitched into the 4th in his second ST start, third appearance overall. He gave up two hits, walked two, and a hit a batter while getting 10 outs.
The loss went to Sam Freeman, who retired the last of four batters faced after starting the inning with a triple-single-walk sequence. He left the game with a 5-5 tie. David Hernandez secured the loss with sac fly and some help from Carter Kieboom’s third error of the spring.
Kieboom (2-3, 2B, RBI) was one of several notable minor-leaguers to appear in the game, all coming off the bench. Here’s how the rest did:
- Jake Noll replaced Eric Thames at 1B and homered to celebrate his 26th birthday.
- Taylor Gushue subbed for Wellington Castillo behind the plate and grounded out to lead off the 8th.
- Yadiel Hernandez took over RF from Andrew Stevenson and drove in two with a big fly.
- Luis Garcia singled to lead off the 7th and came around to score but struck out in the 9th.
The Nats are off tomorrow, the last scheduled day off before they leave Florida prior to the “homecoming game” at Nats Park on the 24th.
Earlier today, the following roster moves were made:
OPTIONED
• C Raudy Read to AAA Fresno
REASSIGNED TO MINOR LEAGUE CAMP
• RHP Paulo Espino
• RHP Jhonatan German
• C Jakson Reetz
• RHP Derek Self
• 1B/3B Drew Ward
• OF Mac Williamson
Starting to run out of time for Eaton and Harris to be ready for Opening Day. Could mean some opportunities for bubble players. But probably not Wilmer Difo, Sam Freeman, Ryne Harper, or David Hernandez.
Difo seems destined for Tigers or Royals.
Loogie fans rejoice. Fresno has a salty AAA vet added to help out “ Aw, Shuck”….
Jeremy DeLaRosa. Brass will push him onto Hagerstown April OD roster ??
São Mag if you are down in WPB. Search out Lara’s
Backfield work habits ??
Harrisburg opening for him??
Interesting that the Nats sign Shuck after the league imposes rules on. Two way player ….
I’m been out of pocket and out of the conversation. FWIW, here are the spring stats:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2020.shtml
Voth, Ross, and Fedde have all pitched well. Considering some of the bullpen struggles/injuries, it’s seeming more likely that the Nats will keep the “loser” between Voth and Ross with the big club as a reliever (which may have been the plan all along).
Kieboom hasn’t looked ready for prime time, so he’ll likely start the season at Fresno (which he probably was going to do anyway). Jacob Wilson is making a nice bid (in a SSS) to be a utilityman on the shuttle to replace Difo and Sanchez. Garcia is hitting well thus far, which is encouraging. Stevenson is getting a lot of time in RF, leading to the supposition that he would be the fill-in for Eaton if Mighty Mouse can’t answer the call.
I’m not sure of the date by which guys would have to be released to only pay 1/6th of their salaries, but that time has to be coming soon. That would be a watchlist of Difo, Sanchez, Strickland, Elias, and maybe Taylor, although not if Eaton may be out for a while. Any of those might also be traded.
To use the infamous words of Todd: Wilson can’t play SS. How about that STL Utl guy recently DFAd?
Cheating karma , Houston ? Injuries. Verlander
Where are you , Gil Grissom ??
Broken jaw in Texas CF? Michael A Taylor ??
Fresno could be a fun unit for Knorr..
KW, that day was yesterday. I would not have been surprised if the Nats had offloaded Strickland, he’s been consistently terrible all spring.
Jeff, no need to continue to insist on having someone who is SS-capable with Castro and Cabrera also on the roster. The Nats really, REALLY hurt themselves by having Difo as the only SS reserve, which they discovered during the first 50 games last season when he actually had to play.
If Turner did get hurt (again, perish the thought), I’m not sure what they would do. My guess would be Castro at short for the extended period. I’d trust him more there defensively than I would Cabrera or Kieboom. Who knows where Garcia would fit into the equation, although he’s really the only SS anywhere on the horizon in the minors. Luke’s SS Watchlist reads Kieboom, Garcia, Cluff . . . and that really is it, which is probably part of the reason they gave Cluff such a push after drafting him. He hit .229, though, so a rapid ascension doesn’t seem to be on the horizon.