Wire Taps: Daniel Murphy will start on DL; Dave Martinez is the fun manager; Koda Glover still waiting...

Today is March 22nd, 2018. Opening Day will occur in fewer than seven days (one week). That is all.

Here’s the beat from Palm Beach.

Nationals Daniel Murphy set to start on DL
What's seemed apparent for months was made evident on Wednesday: Daniel Murphy is simply too far away from actual time in games to be able to start the season in the majors.

Gio Gonzalez may be entering his final season as a National, and he wants to make it count
Gio Gonzalez got here at the start, when he was young, firey, and out of control. Now he's less young, still firey, and a little more in control. All of which is to say, he wants to make what could be his final year in a Curly W his best one.

After bold, bland, and cool, Dave Martinez is here to have fun
We've had "World Series or Bust," "Lead, follow, or get out of the way," and the inventor of the high five. Now, we get to watch camels, golf, DJs, and brunch. It's unbridled optimism in a city that doesn't really understand (or enjoy) it.

Joaquin Benoit Diagnosed With Forearm Strain
The one million dollars are not paying off yet.

Victor Robles Optioned to Syracuse
It may actually be possible that he's... gulp... not ready yet.

Where is Nationals reliever Koda Glover?
Koda Glover—the only true flamethrower in the Nats' bullpen—hasn't thrown in weeks. He probably won't be back for months, due to shoulder inflammation. At least he said something this time.

Joaquin Benoit will not be in the Nationals’ Opening Day bullpen
Benoit, who was supposed to replace Koda Glover, who went down with injury troubles, has a forearm strain, and will have to return slowly due to his age. (Also, Greg Holland is still on the market??)

Nationals' Daniel Murphy, still recovering, won't play Opening Day
"It's reasonable to expect I won't be in the Opening Day lineup," said Murphy, who has gotten as far as fielding ground balls with minor lateral movement.

Nationals Gio Gonzalez working to help Hialeah baseball
Gio Gonzalez spent the last winter turning an empty, abandoned workshop room at Hialeah High into a baseball facility for the Hialeah Thoroughbreds — his alma matter. Now, the room has a batting cage, bullpen, conditioning facilities, couches, TVs, and video game systems. Gonzalez gave time, money, and resources to the project.

Stevenson, Fedde sticking around
Both Andrew Stevenson and Erick Fedde have impressed thus far — but there's no clear spot for either on the roster.

Today’s Game: Nationals vs Mets — 6:05 PM
Probable Pitchers: Tanner Roark vs Zack Wheeler