Wire Taps: Nationals’ 1B Ryan Zimmerman to start Opening Day; Daniel Murphy to DL; Jayson Werth to Seattle...

The waiting is the hardest part, which makes today the hardest of all days, because Opening Day is TOMORROW. Unless it gets rained out. In which case, Opening Day is the DAY AFTER TOMORROW.

(1. More. Day.)

Ryan Zimmerman will supposedly start Opening Day
Zimmerman, who hasn't seen a single pitch of Major League stuff since February 29th-ish, will supposedly be ready and has not been injured and is totally okay, thank you very much.

Nationals' Daniel Murphy put on disabled list
In a move that everyone has seen coming since, November 1st-ish the Nationals finally admitted to themselves that Daniel Murphy won't be on the team come Thursday.

In Nationals’ spring finale at Nationals Park, Ryan Zimmerman sticks to his plan and sits
Ryan Zimmerman is fine. He's fine. He's FIIIIINEEEE.

As MLB teams opt for inexpensive youth over proven vets, a reckoning looms
Jayson Werth got his deal, even though it's a minor-league deal all the way in Seattle. But there's a whole other slew of veterans — names as major-league ready as Brandon Phillips and Greg Holland, names that played in the World Series like Andre Ethier — that didn't get that deal, or the major-league deal for veteran leadership that they're supposed to get. Instead, big teams mainly sat out, and filled their rosters with young, cost-effective players.

Jayson Werth finally has his next contract, signing minor league deal with Mariners
The former Nationals stalwart finally got his job, which will take him to Tacoma, Washington to play for the Mariners' Triple-A club.

Sean Doolittle and Eireann Dolan may be baseball's most "woke" couple
Baseball enjoys the status quo. Baseball is defined by a conservative culture. Eireann Dolan, theology student and husband to Sean Doolittle, chooses not to abide by said culture. Sean Doolittle is in the locker room and has to be more quiet, as everyone keeps their views to themselves, so he picks and chooses his battles — but he also uses his platform in a considerably different way than nearly every ballplayer.

‘I thought I did a pretty good job’: Dusty Baker talks tenure in Washington, new gig in San Francisco
Baker will serve as a special adviser to Giants CEO Larry Baer — but he's still puzzling over what went wrong last October.

An ode to ‘Inside Pitch.’ Nats fans will miss you
Most teams don't print their own scorecards or programs. Then again, most fanbases aren't as wonky as those of the Nationals. A great souvenir has been lost this year, alas.

Martinez updates status of Murphy and Glover
Daniel Murphy will travel with the team and continue building up strength until he's ready to resume gameplay, which he'll do in West Palm. Koda Glover, on the other hand, is miles away from returning. In other words, it'll be miraculous if we see him before July.

Martinez wants the club to be loose, have fun
In case you've been living under a rock for the last two months, Dave Martinez is putting some focus on keeping things chill.

Dave Martinez wants to keep his guys healthy via the lineup
Martinez wants nine players on the field, on average, more often than not. Martinez wants those nine players on the field, on average, more often than not, from March 29th to September 30th.

Improved Tanner Roark Could Be the Boost the Nationals Need
The Nationals had three very good starters in the regular season, and two in the playoffs. If Tanner Roark turns a corner and reverts to his 2016 form, then the Nats are doing *very* well for themselves.

Crazy predictions for all 30 MLB teams
Apparently, Bryce Harper is going to win the Triple Crown, so that's exciting!

Tomorrow’s Game: Nationals vs Reds — 4:10 PM
Probable Pitchers: Max Scherzer vs Homer Bailey