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Wire Taps: Nationals reassign six in latest round of roster moves + Nats Park + Ballpark Square?

The Washington Nationals reassigned six players in the latest round of roster moves this morning, sending Kila Ka'aihue, Emmanuel Burris and others to Minor League camp. Catch up on those moves and the last 24 hours of Nats news...

By Patrick Reddington
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals announced the latest round of roster moves this morning, reassigning a number of veteran-y bench options to minor league camp. In an announcement made via the Nats' official twitter account within the last hour, Cutter Dykstra (INF), Emannuel Burriss (INF) , Kila Ka'aihue (INF), Steven Lerud (C), Derrick Robinson (OF) and (RHP) Manny Delcarmen were reassigned to minor league camp:

No real surprises there though Ka'aihue's power this Spring -- 3 HRs, a double, not to mention more walks (5) than Ks (3) in 18 games-- impressed.

The Nationals remaining in big league camp take on the St. Louis Cardinals this afternoon in Space Coast Stadium with Jordan Zimmermann on the mound. Here's the lineup that will take on the Cards:

While you wait for Zimmermann to take the hill this afternoon, in a game which is available on the radio in the nation's capital on 1580 AM WFED, catch up on the last 24 hours of Nats news...

Jayson Werth's Opening Day status + Werth easily distracted:

• "Werth has still not taken a full round of batting practice, a sign that doesn’t inspire much confidence a week and a half before opening day on April 6." - "Jayson Werth’s opening day status remains in question, and other notes" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

Gio Gonzalez's solid outing vs NYM:

• "After issuing back-to-back, 2-out walks to the Mets, the left-hander shouted out a naughty word that could be heard in every corner of this cozy ballpark." - "Gonzalez composes himself, with an assist from Scherzer" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "A trio of walks and a moment of 'earmuffs' was about all Gonzalez did wrong in five scoreless innings tonight as he allowed two hits and struck out five in the Nats' 8-3 loss to the Mets." - "Nationals Pastime: A fiery Gio Gonzalez shuts down Mets, bullpen falters" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "Gonzalez continued to look sharp on the mound on Thursday. He surrendered just two hits and three walks in five scoreless innings, and he struck out five." - "Gio grooves on success in start against Mets" - Jamal Collier and Anthony DiComo, nationals.com

Bryce Harper's stomach problems + Bryan + 9-year-old Bryce:

• "Harper was scratched from the lineup for Thursday evening’s game against the Mets due to a stomach virus that has been bothering the young slugger the last 48 hours..." - "Bryce Harper sidelined with stomach virus" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "With just 11 days remaining until opening day, it seems to be increasingly likely that left fielder Jayson Werth won't be available for the start of the season." - "Nationals Pastime: Bryce Harper misses second day with stomach virus, time running out for Jayson Werth" - Chris Johnson, MASNsports.com

• "Harper arrived at Space Coast Stadium initially on Thursday afternoon expecting to play against the Mets." - "Harper misses 2nd straight game with flu bug" - Jamal Collier, nationals.com

• "This was his older brother, Bryan Harper, up from the Minor League camp for the day to practice with the Nationals." - "Bryan Harper happy to rub elbows with Nats" - Jamal Collier, nationals.com

Boswell's Big Picture Post:

• "After 33 years without a team — and mostly lousy ones in the 71 seasons before that — it’s hard to grasp where the Nationals now sit." - "The 2015 Nationals are built to last" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

NATS BEAT: Interest in Yadier Alvarez; Replacing Span; Replacing Rendon

• "There are, essentially, three options: Kevin Frandsen, Ian Stewart and Danny Espinosa. Each brings something valuable to the table, but none brings the complete meal." - "Looking at the Nationals’ fill-in options while Anthony Rendon is out" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Rendon does not fit the traditional leadoff mold, more powerful than most in that spot, more prone to knocking in runs than beating out infield singles." - "Leading off for the Nats is ... a problem" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

• "Barring a trade, Moore looks like he's on his way back to D.C." - "Nationals Pastime: Tyler Moore looks to solidify a spot (Harper out with stomach bug)" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "As the Grapefruit League begins to wind down, the Nationals are starting to focus on who will fill out the final spots on their bench." - "Nationals entertaining plenty of bench options" - Jamal Collier, nationals.com

• "The Nationals have serious interest in Cuban right-handed pitcher Yadier Alvarez, according to a person familiar with the situation." - "Nationals interested in Cuban right-hander Yadier Alvarez" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

NATS PARK UPDATES: Ballpark Square; HR seats, franchise value + more

• "At 1277 First St. SE, closest to the ballpark itself, Grosvenor and McCaffrey will construct a 13-story, 326-unit apartment building..." - "Say hello to Ballpark Square near Nats Park" - Michael Neibauer, Washington Business Journal

• "The Nationals and Astros want to move to West Palm Beach, which would be a 20-minute ride from the Mets, Marlins and Cardinals." - "Nationals continue to move toward new spring training facility" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

• "You'll notice Jayson Werth's walk-off homer that won Game 4 of the NLDS on Oct. 11, 2012 is missing from the list." - "Meaningful home runs will be commemorated at Nationals Park" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "The Norfolk Southern-branded scoreboard will track the game in real-time, with balls, strikes and outs denoted by train cars that move along a track." - "Nationals unveil new train-themed scoreboard on club level" - Scott Allen, The Washington Post

• "After winning the NL East division title last season and leading the National League with 96 wins, the Nats made a significant jump in franchise value." - "Nats nearly doubled in franchise value from 2014 to 2015" - Chase Hughes, Comcast SportsNet Washington

• "In the span of one year the Washington Nationals have increased in value by 83 percent according to the new report released on Wednesday morning by Forbes." - "Why the Nationals are now worth $1.28 billion" - Neil Greenberg, The Washington Post

PTBNL UPDATE: TTITPTBNLShhhh

• "'I’ve taken it both ways,' [Trea] Turner said. 'I’ve gotten a little bit angry about it and I’ve also seen the other side of it.'" - "Trea Turner, future Nationals prospect, has mixed emotions over pending trade" - Zac Boyer, Washington Times

NATIONAL(S) BEAT: Bowman meets Zim; Scherzer's bender

• "So here's the curveball that Nationals ace Max Scherzer snapped off against Matt Holliday of the Cardinals on Wednesday ..." - "Max Scherzer's curveball is getting better and better" - Dayn Perry, CBSSports.com

• "Bowman: 'Nice to meet you. I've been watching you for a while.' Zimmerman: 'Thanks.'" - "Matthew Bowman's odd encounter with Ryan Zimmerman and 5 things we learned in Mets win over Washington Nationals" - Mike Vorkunov, NJ.com

• "Steven Souza Jr. might have been an established Major Leaguer sooner had he not come up in the Nationals' organization." - "Souza focused on making a home with Rays" - Bill Chastain, raysbaseball.com

• "Instead of facing the Nationals Thursday at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., Bartolo Colon threw 73 pitches in an intrasquad game." - "Mets' Bartolo Colon happy he won't be facing Washington Nationals today" - Mike Vorkunov, NJ.com

• "Ross Detwiler is now the Texas Rangers' likely No. 4 starter — a slide up the rotation ladder caused by Yu Darvish's Tommy John surgery." - "Detwiler's Outing Better Than Numbers Show" - Adam Boedeker, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

We projected 94 wins:

• "According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Nationals' over/under total for wins has been set at 93.5." - "Washington Nationals Over/Under Total for Wins set at 93.5 for 2015 MLB Season" - Anthony Rome, TheSpread.com

NL EAST UPDATES: Mets' Collins tinkering w/ 8/9; Stanton's blast; Braves' rotation

• Mets: "The Mets center fielder is making the kind of plays this spring that earned him a Gold Glove award last season..." - "How Juan Lagares is showing the Mets’ he’s not a No. 9 hitter" - Mike Puma, New York Post

• "New York Mets manager Terry Collins batted the pitcher in the No. 8 slot on 10 different occasions last season, matching the Atlanta Braves for the most in the majors." - "New York Mets' Terry Collins serious about batting pitcher eighth" - Adam Rubin, ESPN New York

• Phillies: "Down in Fort Myers, Shane Victorino was attracting headlines the way honest players on successful big-market teams tend to..." - "A strong Hamels won't change fact Phillies will be bad" - David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News

• Marlins: "Peppering baseballs over the Marlins' building at Roger Dean Stadium is common for Giancarlo Stanton in batting practice." - "Mammoth shot shows Stanton's nearly season-ready" - Joe Frisaro, marlins.com

• Braves: "The Braves have also continued to talk to other clubs that have expressed some interest in Rodriguez, who has at least quieted some doubts about his health concerns." - "Despite shaky outing, Wandy remains in rotation mix" - Mark Bowman, braves.com

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