Wire Taps: Washington Nationals' defense; Tanner Roark to start for U.S.A. in WBC Tuesday

Daniel Murphy didn't play again. The U.S. beat the Dominican Republic though. So... will Murphy remain with Team USA for another couple days even though he's not playing? Tanner Roark is getting the start Tuesday night against according to reports this morning. Go Roark! Catch up on the rest of the Nationals-related news we could find in today's links...

Nationals' defense:

Adam Eaton, Matt Wieters, Trea Turner key to Nats' defense
"By most advanced statistical measures, however, the Nats were around or below the middle of the league defensively last year."

Saturday offered a fresh reminder of the new-look Nationals defense
"With a new group at its center, the Nationals' defense could feel some growing pains early this season."

Dusty on the WBC:

Dusty Baker thinks WBC is hurting Daniel Murphy
"I think it’s hurting Tanner and Murph as much as anybody," Baker said. "And Murph probably more than Tanner."

#Rays’ Archer not returning to WBC, as @TBTimes_Rays said. Roark has been told he will start Tue. Stroman lined up for Wed, if necessary.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 19, 2017

Nationals' prospect news:

Nats will not change approach in developing Victor Robles
"Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba said they are not altering their plan for Robles, or any other prospect, just because they are ranked so high or coveted by other teams."

Nationals vs Astros:

Nationals’ Jayson Werth to sit Saturday with sore knee
"The original lineup for Saturday’s game against the Astros included Jayson Werth. The second iteration did not."

Astros' Charlie Morton sharp against Nats
"It felt really good today," Ross said. "I threw a good amount, especially in the third and fourth inning."

Astros report: Charlie Morton solid in four-inning outing - Houston Chronicle
"Tyler White exited Saturday's game in the fifth inning after getting hit on the hand by a pitch from the Nationals' Joe Ross White is day-to-day."

Before you really get Sunday going ⛪️,, you just have to see this catch again by Adam Jones to rob @Orioles teammate Manny Machado pic.twitter.com/N0eLPqGeqU

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) March 19, 2017

More Nationals links:

Snyder hoping to go home again with Nats
"Brandon Snyder is hoping to play for his second hometown team."

Bryce Harper back on track for Nats and that's bad news for Mets
"Bryce Harper is hitting the baseball out of sight again, and suddenly it doesn’t seem to matter so much that the Nationals had a less-than-inspiring offseason."

Making Daniel Murphy the 2016 MVP
"Was Daniel Murphy, who played a bad defensive second base all year and finished 2nd in MVP voting, robbed?"