Wire Taps: Michael A. Taylor injury update; Tony Sipp talks; NL East previews + more...

Michael A. Taylor is going to miss a significant amount of time with a sprained knee and hip. Tony Sipp is sure he can get up to speed after waiting for the right deal this Spring. It was a busy day in West Palm Beach (and Port St. Lucie, FL, where the Nationals went homer-happy against the Mets).

Catch up on the last 24 hours in Washington Nationals news while we all wait for the start of today’s Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, which features Max Scherzer on the mound at 1:05 PM EDT. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Michael A. Updates:

Taylor will miss "significant" time with sprained knee, hip - (MASN)
"Martinez didn’t have specific details yet about which ligament Taylor sprained in his knee or hip, but acknowledged the injury will prevent the 27-year-old from making the opening day roster and could sideline him well into the season."

Taylor to miss 'significant amount of time' - (MLB.com)
"Nats manager Dave Martinez announced the results of the MRI following Friday’s 11-3 victory against the Mets, dealing a significant blow to a Nationals outfield already short on depth."

Sipp’s Here:

Just-signed Sipp ready to face multiple challenges (Nats win 11-3) - (MASN)
"So the pertinent question this morning when Sipp met with reporters in West Palm Beach for the first time was simple: Can you get all of your prep work completed in the next 13 days?"

Sipp optimistic he can break camp with Nats - (MLB.com)
"Tony Sipp always felt like he did not need the full six weeks after pitchers and catchers reported to camp, since he could get ready for the regular season quickly."

Tony Sipp has two weeks to get ready. The Nationals won’t rush him - (WaPost)
"Tony Sipp is playing catch-up because his free agency ran into mid-March, and until Wednesday, he was in Missouri City, Tex., waiting for a call."

Random Nationals Stories:

A year after trying to deflect expectations, the Nationals are embracing them - WaPost
"After seven years of exceptional basic talent, but zero postseason series wins, the Nats wondered if their clubhouse makeup was tough and accountable enough."

Hot bats mean cool treats for Nationals - (MASN)
"Davey Martinez made a promise to the young players who made the long trip to Fort Myers on Thursday: score 10 or more runs, and everybody would get to eat Popeyes on the ride home."

Noll demonstrating versatility on defense to go with quick bat - (MASN)
"The Nats have moved Noll around, from the outfield to the infield, and the Punta Gorda, Fla., native shows a nice feel with his glove to ball at each spot on the diamond."

Injuries have colored Stephen Strasburg’s career — and obscured who he is - (WaPost)
"All of baseball has been conditioned to brace for Strasburg’s next injury. But in spring, allow a thought: What if it doesn’t come? Who might we get to know?"

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

2019 MLB preview and predictions: How Cubs stack up against Nationals - (NBC Sports Chicago)
"If [Victor] Robles becomes the player everybody thinks he can be, it will make the Nationals and their fans forget about Harper every now and then."

Washington Nationals Pitcher Stephen Strasburg Relists San Diego Home With Price Cut - (SFGate)
"A buyer can snag the San Diego home belonging to Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg."

MLB preview: Five storylines to watch during season - (Yahoo!Sports)
"The East has four good teams at the top as well, after the Philadelphia Phillies added Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, the New York Mets got Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano, the Washington Nationals added Patrick Corbin and the Atlanta Braves still have gobs of young talent."

Anthony Rendon will get paid – (Stock Standard)
"The Washington Nationals are treating baseball’s luxury tax like a communicable disease, and want to stay as far away as they can from it."