Yesterday, the Washington Nationals affiliates officially announced the 2015 Opening Day rosters. Let’s take a look at who landed where to begin the season. SYRACUSE Watchlist Pitchers — A.J. Cole, Felipe Rivero, Taylor Hill, Matt Grace Watchlist Position Players — Cutter Dykstra HARRISBURG Watchlist Pitchers — Abel de Los Santos, Bryan Harper, Gilberto Mendez, Joe …
While others were hitting refresh on the Washington MLB.com 40-man roster yesterday, confirming that the Michael Taylor era has begun (as well as yet another Rizzo-era Arizona draftee making the cut), we were scanning the wires for the latest moves in the minors…
SYRACUSE
• Released C Omir Santos
GCL Nationals
• Released RHP John Costa
DSL Nationals
• LHP Isaias Silfa retired
Admittedly, it’s not much. Santos hadn’t been more than a backup since 2009 and played just 11 games in 2014. Costa was drafted in the 13th round in June 2013 as a TJS gamble that didn’t pan out (yes, it happens). Silfa appeared in one (1) DSL game last summer as a 20-y.o. lefthander and finishes with a career 0.00 ERA (and a 9.00 BB, K, and HBP per 9IP).
Should the Baseball America weekly dispatch include others not listed here, this space will be updated. Otherwise, we await the release of the rosters tomorrow and Wednesday.
We’re still here, just waiting out the rest of spring training. As is my offseason custom to keep the site from going stale, here are some stories to read. Games start up on Thursday in the minors and I’m anticipating rosters to be released on the 7th. With a shorter window to work with in …
Yesterday, there was another round of cuts in spring training… the big one that usually comes earlier in March, but was most likely delayed this year due to the bevy of injuries. In the latest transaction post from Baseball America today, we learned the following Nationals minor-leaguers have been released:
The closest thing to a surprise was the release of Jean Ramirez, but that’s primarily because of his age (20). This is the flip side to the free-agent signings in the offseason — to make room, some guys are going to be let go, which for most means their days as a pro baseball player are over.
Ordinarily, the decision to stop spring-training coverage is based on a large set of cuts or the manager stating he’ll be playing the regulars, but this year, I’m simply making the call based on a gut reaction: It’s time to step back and wait for the minor-league seasons to start. Thanks to injuries, it does …
The Nats rallied for three in the bottom of the 7th to overcome a 6-4 deficit and held on for 7-6 win that brings Washington’s 2015 spring record to .500 at 9-9-3. Doug Fister was dinged for four runs on seven hits, including two home runs as he pitched four and a 1/3rd innings in …
The Nats used the longball to score in five straight innings to build a 6-2 lead but the ‘pen gave it away with two in the 7th, and solo HRs in the 8th and 9th innings for a 7-7 tie. A.J. Cole stepped in for Stephen Strasburg and shut down Detroit on the first turn …
The hometown fans left the park happy today, as the Nats doubled up the Marlins, 4-2 in Viera while the Braves followed the Disney fun mandate with a 5-2 triumph in Orlando. At Space Coast, the Nats scored all four in the 3rd inning as Wilson Ramos plated two with a one-out single, then Dan …
Washington scored four times in the 1st and withstood a pair of late rallies by Houston to win, 7-5. Starting pitcher Max Scherzer was dinged for a solo HR but gave up just three hits total in his five innings of work to earn the win. He struck out six and walked none.
With the 25-man candidates playing longer, the Nats gave most of the veterAAAAn reserves time off the bench in preparation for the second and final split-squad doubleheader tomorrow. Just three watchlist players appeared in this afternoon’s game:
As aforementioned, the Nats will host the Marlins while sending a second team to the House of Mouse to visit the Braves. The Viera game will be broadcast locally on 1580 AM while the Orlando contest can be heard on MLB Radio.
The Nats managed just five hits over 10 innings on offense while their pitchers gave up just seven to play the visiting Tigers to a ten-inning, 0-0 tie, the second of the spring for Washington.
Gio Gonzalez spun four innings of two-hit ball, walking one and striking out five in his third outing. Matt Grace and Rafael Martin were among the quintet of relievers to combine for the extra-innings shutout, with Grace pitching the 9th and Martin the 10th.
Despite his 0.00 spring ERA, Grace was optioned to Syracuse along with C Dan Butler while IF Wilmer Difo was optioned to Potomac after the game as the Nats continue to make roster cuts in small slices.
Michael Taylor struck out four times in four at-bats to lower his average to .250 and increase his K mark to 11 in 28 AB’s. Meanwhile, Tony Gwynn Jr. went 1-for-2 while playing LF.
Washington visits Houston tomorrow, a game which will be televised on MLB Network.