News and Notes on the Nationals Minors since 2009
As noted (predicted) three weeks ago, foreseeable problems continue to plague MLB. Yesterday, we learned that the Marlins players decided to play with infected players against the Phillies on Sunday. Over a group text, no less. While the easy joke is “of course, Florida,” this raises some disturbing questions: Why was this allowed to happen? …
This morning the Washington Post broke the news that backup catcher Tres Barrera has been suspended for 80 games after a positive test for a PED.
As the headline says, Barrera joins a very long and ignoble list of Washington Nationals players to have been suspended since the franchise relocated from Montreal in 2005. He is the second 40-man player, following in the footsteps of Raudy Read in 2018.
This is not the normality we were looking for. I’d much rather deal with the usual lies about injuries.
You can click on the first link above if you want more information on which steroid or the obligatory denial/apology. Thus far, there has been no word on who will take his place in the 60-man player pool.
Today is MLB’s long delayed Opening Day. The Washington Nationals’ defense of the 2019 World Series title begins tonight – weather permitting, natch – against the New York Yankees. Well, sort of. Should the Nationals not repeat, will that be because they weren’t good enough or because a 60-game season is a farce, far too …
On Saturday, the Nats made a series of assignments from the minors to the “Alternate Training Site” AAA – UTs Emilio Bonifacio, Brandon Snyder; LHPs Ben Braymer, Sam Freeman; RHPs Dakota Bacus, Tyler Eppler, Paolo Espino, Steven Fuentes, Javy Guerra, Kyle McGowin, Kevin Quackenbush AA – OF Yadiel Hernandez, C Jakson Reetz, IF Luis Garcia, …
A multimillion-dollar business is seeking to relocate to Virginia from the District to avoid regulations with which it does not wish to comply. Just another “sports as a microcosm of society,” as the Nationals are reportedly exploring the use of Fredericksburg for its home games to circumvent public-health regulations. If that happens, you can, um, …
Finally, now something that seems more familiar: Washington putting players on the DL without explanation. Back we go into the morgu..er, archives. Syracuse 6 Pawtucket 3 – 2018 • Milone (W, 6-4) 6IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 7K, HR • Adams (SV, 6) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K • Marmolejos 2-5, R Yadiel Hernandez’s two-run …
Few can compete with the current administration in terms of incompetence and ignorance, but MLB is making a run at the former and Cowboy Joe West is going after the latter. Buffalo 6 Syracuse 2 – 2013 • Rosenbaum (L, 5-7) 5⅔ IP, 7H, 5R, 3ER, 3BB, 2K, HR • Mandel 2IP, 0H, 0R, BB, …
We’re less than a week into Summer Camp and foreseeable problems have been legion. Yesterday Washington GM Mike Rizzo canceled workouts and criticized MLB, drawing the ire of der fuh, er Commissioner Rob Manfred, presumably after his daily swim (above). Meanwhile, the Fredericksburg Nationals confirmed they will host the “taxi squad” workouts. Syracuse 3 Pawtucket …
There’s no minor-league baseball for the first time in forever. No joy. No verve. No poetry. But there’ll still be fireworks (and hospitalizations) tonight (and in about two weeks) so enjoy the look back. And don’t worry – everything’s gonna be fine. Lehigh Valley 4 Syracuse 2 (10 inn.) – 2018 • Milone 6IP, 3H, …
As we enter the next phase of the 2019-202? offseason, the Nats made signed six more free agents: Continuing the Nats’ tradition of legacy picks, SS Quade Tomlin was signed from Liberty Christian HS in Lynchburg, VA. Quade is the son of Randy Tomlin, who coached for several years in the Nationals organization. RHP Zach …