MARCH 19, 2023•FREEP.COM
Detroit Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez sharp in WBC return, but Washington Nationals win, 2-1Eduardo Rodriguez threw 4⅔ scoreless innings for the Detroit Tigers, but the bullpen allowed two runs in the 9th in a 2-1 loss to Washington...
Japan's Sasaki likely to be coveted when available for MLB
Rōki Sasaki will pitch in a U.S. ballpark for the first time when he starts for Japan in a World Baseball Classic semifinal against MexicoMARCH 19, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Carter Kieboom - Playing catchKieboom (shoulder) is playing catch Sunday but has yet to throw across the diamond since suffering a setback two weeks ago, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
ImpactThe 25-year-old also hit in a minor-league game on the back field Saturday, though he mostly focused on nailing down his timing. Kieboom was making his return from last May's Tommy John surgery but was shut down due to shoulder discomfort, and he appears likely to open 2023 on the injured list.
MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
CJ Abrams - Back in action SundayAbrams (back) is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in Sunday's spring game against the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactAbrams has been held out of game action the past few days due to back tightness, but he'll rejoin the lineup after going through a full workout Saturday with no issues. The 22-year-old had a .604 OPS in his first taste of the big leagues last season but will receive another chance to establish himself as Washington's shortstop to open 2023.
MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Alex Call - Bench role could be slipping awayCall went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.
ImpactThe 28-year-old had a hot start to his spring, collecting multiple hits in five of his first 10 games, but over his last five contests Call has gone 1-for-12 with five strikeouts as opposing pitchers have gotten a little more focused. He's still very much in the running for a spot on the Nationals' bench and potentially the short side of a left-field platoon with Corey Dickerson, but his late fade might be opening the door for Stone Garrett to seize that role instead. The rebuilding Nationals are also likely keeping an eye on the waiver wire for possible upgrades as the end of camp approaches. Call posted a .945 OPS with 13 homers and nine steals in 76 games at Triple-A last year, but his big-league debut was a little bumpier with a .748 OPS in 131 plate appearances between Washington and Cleveland.
MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Paolo Espino - Having solid springEspino gave up one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins
ImpactThe 36-year-old right-hander had posted good numbers this spring with a 1.13 ERA and 6:1 K:BB over eight frames, but he's worked mainly at the end of games and faced minor-league hitters -- he didn't enter Saturday's contest until the eighth inning. Despite the fact he's made 19 big-league starts in each of the last two seasons, Espino doesn't appear to be in consideration for the rotation opening created when Cade Cavalli (elbow) was lost to Tommy John surgery. He might begin the year in the bullpen if the Nationals feel they need an extra long-relief option, however.
MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Trevor Williams - Stumbles against MarlinsWilliams gave up seven runs on 10 hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out four.
ImpactThe veteran right-hander came into the weekend having allowed only three runs across three spring starts without having walked a batter, but little was working for Williams in this outing. After posting a 4.19 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 6.8 K/9 over nine starts for the Mets last year among his 30 appearances, the 30-year-old is expected to fill a back-end role in the Nationals' rotation in 2023, but his fantasy utility will likely be limited to NL-only formats, or usage as an occasional streaming option.
MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
