JULY 29, 2021 • MCALL.COM
WASHINGTON NATIONALS 71-91 · 4TH IN NL EAST
71-91 · 4TH IN NL EAST
Phillies drop first game of doubleheader to Scherzer, Nationals Washington's Max Scherzer outduels Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader.
Stephen Strasburg - Surgery goes well Strasburg's thoracic outlet surgery went well Wednesday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Impact Persistent health problems have limited Strasburg to just seven starts over the last two seasons. The latest issue, neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, is one of the more worrisome issues a pitcher can go through. It's good news that the procedure went well, and the Nationals remain hopeful that the righty will be ready for the start of spring training, but his health history makes it tough to be optimistic about his outlook.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Max Scherzer starts for the Nats, a team coping with an outbreak and the trade deadline When the Nationals took the field at noon Thursday, they were a team of new and moving parts, upended by the cruel collision of the trade de...
JULY 29, 2021 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Victor Robles - Remains on bench Robles (back) isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Philadelphia.
Impact Robles has been dealing with back tightness recently, and he didn't appear in Thursday's matinee. He'll remain on the bench for the second game while Andrew Stevenson starts in center field and bats eighth.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Josh Bell - Takes seat for nightcap Bell isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies.
Impact Bell will get a breather after he went hitless in three at-bats during Thursday's matinee. Ryan Zimmerman will start at first base and bat third.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tres Barrera - Recalled as 27th man Barrera was recalled from Triple-A Rochester as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact Barrera was sent down Wednesday, but he'll start behind the plate in the second game of Thursday's twin bill. The 26-year-old has hit .323 with a home run, two doubles, four runs and two RBI since the All-Star break.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Scherzer shines in possible Nats bow; Phils split twinbill
Max Scherzer delivered a signature performance in what might be his last start for the Nationals, allowing three hits in six innings in the opener of a doubleheader that Washington...JULY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MLB trade deadline tracker: Live rumors, news, updates for 2021 deadline day Kris Bryant? Max Scherzer? Trevor Story? There's no shortage to stars on the market this year, and Sporting News will have news and updates...
JULY 29, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Alex Avila - Lands on COVID-19 IL Avila (calf) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact Avila had been on the 10-day injured list since July 3 due to bilateral calf strains, but he was also one of four Nationals who landed on the COVID-19 IL on Thursday. It's not clear whether the catcher has tested positive for the virus or how his placement on the COVID-19 IL could impact his recovery process.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Trea Turner - Hits COVID-19 injured list Turner officially landed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact The move is an expected one, as Turner left Tuesday's game against the Phillies after being informed of a positive test for the virus. Given that he's a known positive and isn't merely absent due to contact tracing, he'll need more than just a day or two before he's cleared to return.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Blue Jays get closer Brad Hand from selling Nationals
The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired closer Brad Hand from Washington, getting some bullpen help from a skidding Nationals team that has turned into a trade-deadline sellerJULY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hand traded to Blue Jays, beginning Nationals trade deadline sell-off The Washington Nationals began their sell-off Thursday, sending closer Brad Hand to the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced.
JULY 29, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Tanner Rainey - Returns from injury Rainey (lower leg) was activated off the 10-day injured list Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact Rainey wound up missing a month with a stress reaction in his right tibia. He could be in the mix for saves down the stretch, as the Nationals dealt Brad Hand to the Blue Jays on Thursday. His 42.7 percent strikeout rate and 2.66 ERA last year would make him seem like a strong candidate, though his strikeout rate has fallen to 26.5 percent this season while his ERA has ballooned to 6.93.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Yadiel Hernandez - Recalled by Nationals Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Impact Hernandez was sent down Monday, but he'll return to the major-league club after left-hander Brad Hand was traded to the Blue Jays on Thursday. The 33-year-old should serve as outfield depth while the Nationals deal with several absences.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Andres Machado - Recalled by Nationals Machado was recalled by the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact The Nationals had to make several changes to their roster Thursday with a handful of players landing on the COVID-19 injured list. Machado will give the team some extra bullpen depth, but his 12.54 ERA in 9.1 career MLB innings doesn't exactly inspire much confidence.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Blue Jays acquire Brad Hand from Nats The Blue Jays on Thursday bolstered their bullpen by acquiring left-hander Brad Hand from the Nationals for catcher Riley Adams, who is the...
JULY 29, 2021 • MLB.COM
Nationals vs Phillies Prediction and Pick for MLB Doubleheader Game 1 Today From FanDuel Sportsbook Today's slate of MLB games includes a clash between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies. Nationals vs Phillies Prediction and...
JULY 29, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Nationals send closer Brad Hand to Blue Jays for Triple-A prospect: Source Hand has a 3.59 ERA this season to go with a 5-5 record. The LHP has thrown 42 strikeouts over 42.2 innings pitched. Hand, 31, previously pi...
JULY 29, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Riley Adams - Traded to Nationals Adams was sent from the Blue Jays to the Nationals on Thursday in exchange for Brad Hand, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact Adams is a decent prospect who has plus raw power but might not hit enough or play good enough defense behind the plate to be a starter. The Blue Jays didn't have much need for him, as their system is full of young catchers, including Alejandro Kirk, who fits a similar profile as a bat-first backstop (albeit with a better feel to hit) and grades out considerably better overall. Adams should have a much clearer path to playing time in Washington, where the top three catchers are Yan Gomes, Alex Avila and Rene Rivera, a trio who are all in their mid-thirties and who will all be free agents after the season. Adams may wind up waiting until next year to get his shot, but his pop gives him a shot at fantasy relevance when that shot eventually comes.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Austin Voth - Lands on COVID-19 IL Voth was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact Voth returned from a broken nose in mid-June, but he's struggled to limit run production recently and has given up eight runs in 2.2 innings across his last three appearances. It's not clear whether the right-hander has tested positive for COVID-19, but he'll be away from the team while he's in the league's health and safety protocols.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Daniel Hudson - Placed on injured list Hudson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact It's not yet clear whether Hudson has tested positive for COVID-19 or whether he's deemed a close contact, but he'll be one of four Nationals who are unavailable due to the league's health and safety protocols. Wander Suero could step into a high-leverage role while the right-hander is on the injured list.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Yan Gomes - Reinstated from 10-day IL Gomes (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.
Impact Gomes had been taking swings and running recently, and he'll be able to rejoin the active roster without a rehab assignment. The 34-year-old should immediately reclaim his role as the Nationals' starting catcher after he slashed .266/.320/.439 with eight home runs, 33 RBI and 29 runs to begin the year.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Victor Robles - Not starting afternoon game Robles (back) will sit for the afternoon portion of Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact Robles left Tuesday's game due to back tightness, though there's no guarantee that's the reason he's on the bench. He hasn't been an everyday player recently, and even if he was, he might not be asked to start twice in one day. Whether or not he's in contention to start the nightcap remains to be seen. Andrew Stevenson starts in center field in his absence.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Patrick Corbin - Starting Game 2 of twin bill Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Corbin would start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact Corbin will end up being pushed back one day in the pitching schedule after he was initially on tap to start Wednesday before the contest was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Washington organization. Through his first two starts of the second half, Corbin has been lit up for 11 runs (10 earned) over 10.2 innings to bring his ERA up to 5.71 on the season. With Corbin in the third season of a six-year, $140 million contract and in the midst of a brutal campaign, he's unlikely to command much trade interest from contending clubs ahead of Friday's deadline.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Max Scherzer - Starting Game 1 Scherzer (triceps) will start the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.
Impact Scherzer missed his previously scheduled start against the Orioles on Saturday due to mild discomfort in his right triceps, but the Nationals indicated from the start that the issue was a minor one. He felt good following a 40-pitch bullpen session Monday and doesn't appear to be on any restrictions heading into Thursday's game. Executives from around the league will likely be tuning into Scherzer's start, as the veteran righty could be available in a trade, and any potential suitors will want to verify that he is indeed healthy.
JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
