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Okay. So, for a game where it was actually close to reasonable to assume the very worst, the Nats got super, super lucky. Forearm stiffness and back spasms are quite preferable to, uh, the surgery who shall not be named.
Here’s the beat from Half Street.
The Nats should go all-in and trade for Zach Britton
Yes, it may mean seeing Juan Soto or Victor Robles in an Orioles jersey in a few years. But if it means that the team can win a World Series -- which it would certainly help with -- then the Nats should go all-in.
Strasburg leaves with forearm stiffness in the second inning
Strasburg didn't describe the pain as intense, but instead noted that he thought his arm was taking a while to get into the swing of things.
Strasburg's early exit: Precautionary, and probably not worthy of a trip to the DL
Something was certainly off with Strasburg last night -- which he explained as forearm stiffness. He doesn't expect an MRI, but just didn't want to let it get any worse.
Nationals' rookie leaguers pitch fourteen consecutive no-hit innings in a doubleheader
Joan Baez led the way in the first game, and Gilberto Chu was the key guy in the second game.
Harper hasn't ditched the leg kick... yet
Bryce Harper hasn't totally eliminated one of the signature parts of his well-known violent swing -- he just simplifies it against guys where he feels it doesn't work.
Andrew Stevenson makes his major league debut
Stevenson was a little starstruck in his first night in the bigs. The Nats didn't give him the start against Robbie Ray, but he was mainly just excited to be there.
Launch angles — July 23, 2017
"For as phenomenal a hitter as he is, Bryce Harper has never quite dominated southpaws."
Rizzo OK waiting for injured outfielders (Strasburg out)
"But with Bryce Harper and Brian Goodwin healthy, newly promoted prospect Andrew Stevenson now here and available, and the others on the mend, Rizzo feels comfortable proceeding with his outfield as currently constructed."
Stevenson, Severino get promotions with Heisey, Raburn out
“'We have contingency plans for everything,' general manager Mike Rizzo said. 'We have a depth chart of guys that we feel are next in line. You just have to roll with it.'"
Former LSU outfielder Andrew Stevenson receives MLB call-up from Washington Nationals
"Stevenson, the Nationals’ second-round draft choice in 2015, becomes the 15th LSU player coached by Paul Mainieri to reach the big leagues."
Jackson eyes encore vs. Central-leading Crew
"Jackson is coming off a winning start in his second tour of duty with the Nats, having limited the Angels to two runs and no walks over seven innings last week in Anaheim."
Tomorrow’s Game: Brewers vs Nationals — 7:05 PM
Probable Pitchers: Zach Davies vs Edwin Jackson