WASHINGTON NATIONALS NEWS

Journeyman Espino pitches Nationals to sweep of Pirates

Paolo Espino got his first major league win at age 34, Josh Bell hit a two-run homer and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 for a three-game sweep

JUNE 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Espino gets first win as Nats sweep Bucs WASHINGTON -- When the Nationals needed a solid start on Wednesday, Paolo Espino was the latest to step up and deliver meaningful innings fo...

JUNE 16, 2021 • MLB.COM

Nationals News: Stephen Strasburg Injury Update is Encouraging for Washington The Washington Nationals' pitching staff is suffering a mean case of the injury bug as the month of June rolls on. Currently, the Nationals...

JUNE 16, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Nationals’ Castro placed on restricted list due to family matter The Washington Nationals placed Starlin Castro on the restricted list as the infielder works through a family matter, manager Dave Martinez...

JUNE 16, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

Starlin Castro goes on restricted list to deal with ‘family matters’; Nats promote Luis García “We talked last night and I just wanted to go and handle those matters,” Dave Martinez said. “I can’t get into specifics. One thing for is t...

JUNE 16, 2021 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Starlin to restricted list; Miller's work pays off  WASHINGTON -- Nationals third baseman Starlin Castro was placed on the restricted list on Wednesday to attend to a family issue. There is no...

JUNE 16, 2021 • MLB.COM

Erick Fedde - Next start coming Friday Fedde is scheduled to make a second turn through the rotation in Friday's series opener versus the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact With Max Scherzer (groin) recently joining Stephen Strasburg (neck) on the 10-day injured list, Fedde looks like he'll benefit from an extended run in the Washington rotation until both starters are healthy. After returning from the COVID-19 injured list last weekend, Fedde covered five scoreless innings (82 pitches) and struck out seven June 12 versus the Giants in what was his first outing with the big club since May 16.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Luis García - Likely to play regularly vs. RHPs Garcia, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, is expected to see regular starts at second base versus right-handed pitching while Starlin Castro (personal) remain...

Impact The 21-year-old will occupy the keystone and bat sixth Wednesday against the Pirates, while Jordy Mercer picks up the start at Castro's normal spot at third base. Meanwhile, Josh Harrison is sitting out the series finale in what amounts to a rest day, but he should be a fixture in the lineup against both right- and left-handed pitching. The lefty-hitting Garcia and righty-hitting Mercer will likely form a de facto platoon, with Garcia starting at second base and Harrison starting at third base versus right-handed pitching.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jordy Mercer - Could get more time sans Castro Mercer will start at third base and bat seventh Wednesday against the Pirates.

Impact He'll pick up the nod at the hot corner in the Nationals' first game without their primary option at the position in Starlin Castro (personal), who was moved to the restricted list Wednesday. According to Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington, the Nationals plan to deploy a committee of Josh Harrison, Luis Garcia and Mercer to cover second and third base while Castro is out. Since Harrison appears to be locked into a full-time role, the righty-hitting Mercer will most likely fill the short side of a platoon with the lefty-hitting Garcia at the other available infield spot.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Stephen Strasburg - Plays catch Wednesday Strasburg (neck) played catch in the outfield ahead of Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Strasburg appeared to be throwing lightly, but Wednesday's activity marked the first time that he threw since he was placed on the 10-day injured list June 2. A timetable for his return to game action hasn't yet been established, but the right-hander is scheduled to meet with a specialist soon to evaluate the progress in his recovery.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Harrison - Takes seat Wednesday Harrison isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Harrison will get a breather after he went 7-for-15 with three doubles, two RBI, two runs, a walk and four strikeouts across the last five games. Luis Garcia will start at second base and bat sixth.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Luis García - Recalled by Nationals Garcia was recalled by the Nationals on Wednesday, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

Impact Garcia was sent to Triple-A Rochester at the end of May, and he hit .319 with three home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI and nine runs in 11 games during his most recent stint in the minors. He'll likely fill a depth role for Washington while Starlin Castro (undisclosed) is on the restricted list.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Maria Torres: Nationals announce Starlin Castro, who didn’t... - The Athletic Nationals announce Starlin Castro, who didn’t play yesterday, has been placed on the restricted list. Luis García is up

JUNE 16, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Starlin Castro - Placed on restricted list Castro was placed on the restricted list Wednesday so he can tend to a family matter, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

Impact Castro didn't appear in Tuesday's win over the Pirates, and he'll apparently be away from the team for an unspecified amount of time. Jordy Mercer could see increased time at third base in his absence, while Luis Garcia was also called up in a corresponding move.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Trea Turner - Collects four hits Turner went 4-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored during Tuesday's 8-1 win over Pittsburgh.

Impact Turner delivered his second four-hit performance of the season and had his first extra-base knock since June 5. The 27-year-old has a .308/.352/.473 slash line with 10 homers, 31 RBI, 34 runs and 13 stolen bases through 64 games in 2021.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yan Gomes - Clubs grand slam Gomes went 1-for-3 with a grand slam, a walk and an additional run scored during Tuesday's 8-1 win over the Pirates.

Impact The 33-year-old put the finishing touches on a five-run first inning with a one-out grand slam to comfortably put Washington in the lead. Gomes is batting .248/.287/.416 with six home runs, five doubles, 22 RBI and 19 runs through 42 games this season. The homer was just the catcher's second since May 7, while the big four-RBI night doubled his total for June.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Corbin - Spins 8.1 strong frames Corbin (4-5) earned the win Tuesday against the Pirates after giving up a run on eight hits with seven strikeouts and a walk across 8.1 innings.

Impact It's the first time since May 13 the veteran southpaw allowed fewer than three runs as he delivered his longest start of the season while generating 14 swinging strikes on 110 pitches. Corbin has a 5.60 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 55:27 K:BB across 70.2 innings, and he tentatively lines up to face the Mets on Sunday.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pittsburgh takes 9-game skid into matchup with Washington

Pittsburgh is looking to break its nine-game losing streak with a win over Washington

JUNE 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gomes, Corbin lead Nationals; Pirates lost 9th straight WASHINGTON (AP) — Yan Gomes connected for a grand slam and Trea Turner got four hits, leading Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals ov...

JUNE 16, 2021 • STLTODAY.COM

Paolo Espino - Tabbed for spot start Wednesday Espino will start Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 34-year-old worked in long relief Friday after Max Scherzer (groin) exited with an injury, and he'll make a spot start Wednesday with Scherzer now on the injured list. Espino threw 56 pitches over 3.1 frames Friday, which was the first time since his season debut April 18 that he covered more than two innings, so he may have a tough time reaching the five-inning minimum to qualify for a win. He's pitched well this season with a 2.78 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Anderson gives up slam; Bucs lose to Nats PITTSBURGH -- Before Tyler Anderson could record the second out of his start on Tuesday night at Nationals Park, the Nats had already put th...

JUNE 16, 2021 • MLB.COM

Gomes, Corbin lead Nationals; Pirates lose 9th straight

Yan Gomes connected for a grand slam and Trea Turner got four hits, leading Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals over the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-1

JUNE 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Max Scherzer - IL stint expected to be minimal Manager Davey Martinez indicated Tuesday that Scherzer's placement on the injured list was primarily a precautionary decision and that the right-hander is not expected to be on the...

Impact Scherzer was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Tuesday due to a groin injury suffered in his start against the Giants on Friday. The ace right-hander said he'll be ready to pitch again with a matter of "days, not weeks," but the club decided to play it safe by moving him to the IL. Martinez said the injury is "getting better" and that the club doesn't want to make the issue worse by putting him back on the mound too quickly. Scherzer is eligible to be reinstated June 22, so assuming no setbacks, he figures to rejoin the rotation sometime soon after.

JUNE 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nationals News: Washington Gets Bad News on Max Scherzer Injury Update Starting pitcher Max Scherzer gave the Washington Nationals a scare last week. The veteran righty exited Friday's game against the San Franc...

JUNE 15, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Max Scherzer placed on the 10-day injured list with groin problem The Washington Nationals placed staff ace Max Scherzer on the 10-day injured list with a groin problem.

JUNE 15, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM