Wire Taps: Steve Lombardozzi returns; Bryan Harper to Triple-A; Nationals have 28th, 29th picks in Draft

Trea Turner is back in the minor leagues, Ryan Zimmerman is back - and so is Steve Lombardozzi. With election season looming, would it be wrong to say that the Nationals are partying like it's 2012?

Here's the latest from U.S. Cellular Field.

Is there a new closer already in the Nats system?
With each passing nail-biting ninth inning, it becomes more and more clear that Papelbon probably won't make it for much longer in the closer spot. As it turns out, the Nationals may not even need to trade for someone like Andrew Miller to fill Papelbon's spot, and can just use an in-house candidate.

Nationals have 28th, 29th picks in Draft on Thursday
The 2016 MLB Draft will take place on Thursday, and the Nationals have two picks in the top 30. In past years, the Nats have taken players such as Lucas Giolito, Anthony Rendon, Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, so keep an eye out for the first selections for the Nats.

The Nats may take one positive thing away from the Reds series
The Nats lost two of three to one of the NL's worst teams - but their bats may have gotten the jumpstart they need.

Minor League Updates
Lucas Giolito settles in, Max Schrock shines, and the Nats farm system continues to impress.

Here comes Bryan Harper!
Harper, who the Nationals took in the thirtieth round of the 2011 MLB Draft, is a level away from joining his brother, Bryce, in the Major Leagues. That will be quite a picture once Harper comes up in September. Aside from being Bryce's brother, Bryan's credentials are impressive in themselves; Harper had a 1.50 ERA in 20 appearances for Double-A Harrisburg.

Nats sign Steve Lombardozzi, assign him to Triple-A
After a few years away, spending time in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and this year, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (an independent league team). Now, Lombardozzi is one step away from Nationals Park, where he originally came up in the majors.

Dusty Baker remembers Muhammad Ali
Baker, who grew up watching Ali, and met him once, had kind words regarding the legendary boxer.

Tonight's Game: Nationals vs White Sox - 8:10 (MASN2, WJFK)
Probable Pitchers: Joe Ross (5-4, 2.37) vs Mat Latos (6-1, 4.02 ERA)