Wire Taps: Washington Nationals beat up, cruising; Adam Eaton talks rehab, mental battle; Victor Robles’ HBP tendency concerning

Hey, remember when the Nats got a training staff and were all state of the art, and nobody was ever going to get injured ever again? Seems like a while back, doesn’t it.

While we pray for Ryan Madson and wait for Brian Goodwin, here’s the scoop from San Diego.

The Nats are among the most beaten up teams in baseball, but they're still cruising along
The Nats are 13.5 games up on the rest of the division, and currently four Opening Day starters remain in the lineup. They've quite clearly managed to survive and thrive, but signs of decay are beginning to show.

Adam Eaton talks knee rehab and mental battles
Eaton feels like he's hit a mental roadblock as of late, because he's feeling more and more normal but can't replicate those feelings -- in other words, he really wants to be ready to go, now.

Robles' tendency to be hit by pitches is concerning
Victor Robles is nearly the surest prospect the Nats have seen this side of Bryce Harper. Only problem is, he's putting himself at risk for injury constantly when it may be preventable.

Don't panic if the Nats put Bryce Harper on trade waivers
It's not because the Nats have any intention of trading him -- more along the lines of seeing who may be interested in some nightmare scenario one day in which the Nats decide to send Bryce Harper off somewhere else (or, they're doing it to everyone to throw off the rest of the league).

Mike Rizzo, supertrader, does it again
Mike Rizzo fixed up the bullpen, added a great outfielder, and didn't touch a single one of the core four prospects (Robles, Soto, Kieboom, Fedde). Not bad for a month's work.

Sean Doolittle trade reminds us that ballplayers are people, too
Sean Doolittle was an Oakland Athletics fan, born and raised, and was incredibly attached to the city, as was his fiancee, Eireann Dolan. Both managed to pack up their bags and come to D.C., which wasn't the easiest thing for them to do (although a World Series ring would do as nice repayment).

Brian Goodwin just the latest Nats outfielder on the DL
Goodwin joins Bryce Harper, Ryan Raburn, Jayson Werth, and Adam Eaton on the list right now, where Chris Heisey, Michael A. Taylor, and many others have resided for much of the season.

Rizzo, Boras call for base-related safety improvements
Mike Rizzo joined his frequent business partner in calling out Major League Baseball for putting players at risk of injury due to the bases.

Adam Eaton calls slippery bases an "absolute ice skating rink"
Eaton joined Nats GM Mike Rizzo and superagent Scott Boras in questioning if Major League Baseball could be doing a better job with the makeup of its bases.

Nats call up Alejandro De Aza, who was apparently in their farm system
A lot of people were glad to see De Aza when he walked in the clubhouse. Also, Enny Romero is about to go on to a rehab assignment, Jayson Werth is ramping up the running, Bryce Harper is still limping, Trea Turner is on the 60-day DL, and Ryan Madson has a finger issue.

Roark continues to find groove in second half
Since the All-Star break, Tanner has found his form, pitching to a 3.13 ERA.

An inning after fouling a ball off his face, Michael A. Taylor makes a spectacular diving catch
"Oof," then "WOW."

Today’s Game: Nationals vs Padres — 10:10 PM
Probable Pitchers: Edwin Jackson vs Jhoulys Chacin