Struggling Nationals get back Schwarber, Bell, Harrison
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber, first baseman Josh Bell and infielder Josh Harrison have been reinstated from the injured list by the Washington NationalsAPRIL 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEADING OFF: Hinch back in Houston, Mets in weather mess
First-year Tigers manager AAPRIL 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEADING OFF: Hinch back in Houston, Mets in weather mess
First-year Tigers manager AAPRIL 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kershaw barely outduels Scherzer, Dodgers sweep Nats 3-0
Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings of five-hit ball in an outstanding duel with Max Scherzer, and the Los Angeles Dodgers swept three games from the Washington Nationals with a 3-...APRIL 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Won't immediately join rotation Lester (COVID-19 protocols) will head to the alternate training site to build up his stamina once cleared to rejoin the team, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact The veteran left-hander is away from the team while on the COVID-19 injured list, and he'll need to build up his arm a bit following the absence and his delayed start to spring training. Erick Fedde will start Monday and could remain Washington's No. 5 starter until Lester ready to make his season debut.
APRIL 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not quite 'Your 2021 Washington Nationals!' finally playing
The Washington Nationals finally got their season started five days later than they were supposed to after a delay because of a coronavirus outbreakAPRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nationals place 10 on IL ahead of season opener vs. Braves Alex Avila, Josh Bell, Patrick Corbin, Yan Gomes, Brad Hand, Josh Harrison, Jon Lester, Jordy Mercer and Kyle Schwarber were all placed on t...
APRIL 6, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
COVID-hit Washington Nationals put several starters on the injured list, including Jon Lester and Kyle Schwarber Starting pitchers Jon Lester and Patrick Corbin, closer Brad Hand and four position players expected in the lineup — left fielder Kyle Schwa...
APRIL 6, 2021 • BALTIMORESUN.COM
COVID-hit Nats make many moves before 1st game of season
Starting pitchers Jon Lester and Patrick Corbin, closer Brad Hand and four position players expected in the lineup have been put on the 10-day injured list by the Washington Nation...APRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Joins eight other Nats on COVID IL The Nationals placed Lester on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Impact Lester is one of nine Nationals players on the 40-man roster who will begin the campaign on the IL as a result of the team's recent COVID-19 outbreak. Prior reports have suggested that only four of the players in question have been confirmed to have tested positive for the virus, but it's uncertain whether Lester is one of the infected players or if he was merely a close contact. Jon Heyman of MLB Network, players that tested positive will be eligible to return after 10 days in quarantine, while those ruled out through contact tracing can return after a week. With both Lester and Patrick Corbin on the COVID-19 IL to begin the season, Erick Fedde and Austin Voth could temporarily slot into the rotation as their replacements.
APRIL 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
May miss time, COVID protocols The Nationals are expected to be without Lester due to COVID-19 protocols if MLB clears the team to begin its season during the upcoming week, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Pos...
Impact Lester is among the nine members of the Nationals organization currently in quarantine because of COVID-19 protocols, though the club hasn't disclosed whether he's one of the four players who has tested positive or if he's merely a close contact of an infected individual. The veteran southpaw had likely been lined up to start Washington's fifth game of the season, but his absence from the team could prompt manager Dave Martinez to go with a four-man rotation this week, assuming the Nationals are able to play Monday against Atlanta. The team would have an off day Thursday that would allow it to reset the rotation and get by without a fifth starter until April 13 (at St. Louis) in that scenario. Erick Fedde and Austin Voth would be the top candidates to make a spot start for Lester if Washington decides to keep a five-man rotation in place.
APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Dustin Pedroia still laments failing to recruit Jon Lester back to Red Sox Pedroia says he heavily recruited Lester to sign with Boston in the 2014-2015 offseason, only to see the former Red Sox pitcher sign with th...
APRIL 2, 2021 • BOSTON.COM
Cubs' Hoyer confident deal with Rizzo will be worked out
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer insists he is confident Anthony Rizzo will remain in Chicago beyond this season even though the star first baseman is cutting off ta...MARCH 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
First start still undetermined Lester threw 75 pitches over 4.1 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, but it's not yet clear when he will make his first regular-season start, Mark Zuc...
Impact The veteran southpaw is a little behind the rest of the rotation so the team could elect to have Lester throw a simulated game Friday, the first scheduled off-day of the season for the Nats, before taking the mound against Atlanta on April 7. Washington should announce its rotation plans to begin the season later this week.
MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Mad Bum gets opener for D-backs; Kluber is Yanks' No. 2
The Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to open the season in familiar fashion: with Mad Bum on the moundMARCH 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stretched out to 51 pitches Lester tossed 51 pitches over 3.2 innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Impact The veteran southpaw looked good for three frames before fading in the fourth, and Lester feels he'll be able to find a little more velocity after averaging 88.5 mph with his fastball during the outing. "I feel good physically, so now I think it's just a matter of getting those reps and getting my feet under me and building", he said after the game. "I think that the big thing is I feel like I'm a little bit behind the eight-ball on some things, and I think (velocity) is one of them. I'm hoping that with... a little bit of adrenaline in regular games, that it will go up a tick. But even if it doesn't, I feel like I can still do the things I need to do." Lester had his preparations for the season derailed by surgery for hyperparathyroidism, but he's hoping he can get two more appearances in before Opening Day, whether in Grapefruit League play or in simulated games, to try and make up for the lost time.
MARCH 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Padres star Tatis has shoulder problem, to be re-evaluated
The flash and dash of Fernando Tatis Jr. came to a sudden halt Tuesday when the star San Diego Padres shortstop slowly walked off the field after making an awkward throw in an exhi...MARCH 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scherzer faces deGrom in spring game, rematch on opening day
Max Scherzer will have the ball in his hands when he begins the final season of his seven-year, $210 million contract with the Washington NationalsMARCH 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lester pitches 2 innings, returns from gland removal surgery Jon Lester was back on a mound Thursday, wearing a Washington Nationals uniform while facing opposing batters for the first time in spring t...
MARCH 19, 2021 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM
Lester pitches 2 innings, returns from gland removal surgery Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jon Lester throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets...
MARCH 19, 2021 • TUCSON.COM
Lester pitches 2 innings, returns from gland removal surgery Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jon Lester throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets...
MARCH 19, 2021 • TUCSON.COM
Lester pitches 2 innings, returns from gland removal surgery Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jon Lester wipes his face after warming up before a spring training baseball game against the New York...
MARCH 19, 2021 • TUCSON.COM
Lester pitches 2 innings, returns from gland removal surgery Jon Lester was back on a mound Thursday, wearing a Washington Nationals uniform while facing opposing batters for the first time in spring t...
MARCH 19, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Lester pitches 2 innings, returns from gland removal surgery Jon Lester was back on a mound Thursday, wearing a Washington Nationals uniform while facing opposing batters for the first time in spring t...
MARCH 19, 2021 • THESTAR.COM
Throws 31 pitches in spring debut Lester (neck) made his Grapefruit league debut Thursday and threw 31 pitches, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Impact Lester had a minor surgery earlier in March, delaying his ramp up this spring. He completed two innings of work, hitting 89.9 mph with his sinker and 89.1 mph fastball. Lester is currently projected to be the fourth starter in the Nationals' rotation to begin the regular season.
MARCH 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
