Wire Taps: Nationals' pitchers and catchers report tomorrow; Nats links, stories + more

Pitchers and catchers report to the Washington Nationals' new Spring Training facility tomorrow to officially kick off the 2017 campaign, then it's a couple weeks of workouts, bullpens, live batting practice, Grapefruit League games and a couple exhibitions. It all starts tomorrow, then there's a lot of waiting until games that matter start.

For now, enjoy the excitement and fun that comes with everything being new again. Welcome to the 2017 campaign... catch up on the last 24 hours in Nats news.

Nationals Spring Training Stories/Questions:

Five questions for the Nationals entering spring training
"From the identity of their 2017 closer to Ryan Zimmerman's health, the Nats have some problems to solve as spring training begins in West Palm Beach."

The biggest question each MLB team faces heading into spring training
"The party line is that the Nats are happy with their internal options – Blake Treinen, Koda Glover, Shawn Kelley, etc. But after striking out on free agents Mark Melancon and Kenley Jansen, what else can they say?"

Nats enter Spring Training eyeing World Series
"They only lost two everyday players from that team -- Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa -- and replaced them with Adam Eaton, who has been one of the best outfielders in baseball recently, and Derek Norris."

Spring training story lines: From the Cubs to the World Baseball Classic
"The Nationals say they are willing to go into the spring with an open mind, but there’s one man who makes all the sense in the world."

Nationals Roster Questions:

Everyone knows these Washington Nationals’ names; no one knows their games
"The three times the Nats have made the playoffs, [Stephen] Strasburg was shut down in 2012, lost in a shaky five-inning start in 2014 and was hurt last year."

Team report: Nationals hope to ride star power to October
"[Adam] Eaton is 28, and the Nationals think he is still getting better. Eaton also has speed, a career .357 on-base percentage and power." -

Pressure's on Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman to bounce back this spring
"This much is clear: The Nationals need better performances from both star players this season."

Is Nationals' Trea Turner the next Rickey Henderson?
"Just how unprecedented was Turner’s semi-season?"

After an offseason of hits and misses, it’s uncertain what the Nationals amount to
There was the Adam Eaton trade and all the deals that weren’t. Where does that leave Washington?

Welcome back, baseball. Welcome back, Morning Brushback
"Another winter of baseball-less discontent is over. Another offseason is complete. Nationals pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday."

Random Nationals Links:

Event raises nearly $60,000 for local Boys and Girls Clubs Miami's Community News
"Jay bowled along with other Major League Baseball stars and local celebrities — including Matt Kemp with the Atlanta Braves, JD Martinez with the Detroit Tigers, Danny Valencia and Yonder Alonso with the Oakland A’s, Gio Gonzalez with the Washington Nationals, and Manny Machado with the Baltimore Oriole."

Tom Brady, Michael Jordan Among Pro Athletes Who Skipped Past Team White House Visits
"The White House tradition dates back to at least President Andrew Johnson, when he hosted the Brooklyn Atlantics and Washington Nationals amateur baseball clubs in August 1865..." -

Nationals Lag Behind in In-Market Streaming Trend
"Rob Manfred told reporters at the most recent owners’ meetings: 'We think it’s a huge, huge improvement for our fans to be able to watch games live stream in market.'"