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Ryan Zimmerman made his 2019 Grapefruit League debut, matching his total games played in Spring Training from last season. He’s expected to be back in the lineup more often over the next few weeks. BryceHarperwasintroducedbythePhillies. Patrick Corbin took the hill for the Nationals on Saturday, in what ended up a 10-6 win over the Twins. Aníbal Sánchez is up next. He starts against the Astros today in West Palm Beach.
Before the start of today’s game, catch up on the last 24 hours in Nationals news. Go read your links...
NATS BEAT:
Nats' Zimmerman gets in lineup, hopes to stay there - (Washington Times)
"Ryan Zimmerman has made his first appearance this spring in the Washington Nationals lineup. Now he wants to be a fixture there."
Zimmerman, Martinez and Corbin speak after 10-6 victory - (MASN)
"The delay in getting [Ryan] Zimmerman on the field was the biggest blip on the first week-plus of games. Just when he was ready to play, Zimmerman was felled by an illness and sent home."
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The hometown team doesn’t quite know how to spell the name of their pitching ace. pic.twitter.com/N1LL2KW6FS
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) March 2, 2019
Bryce Harper, on the first day of the rest of his life, didn’t seem ready to leave D.C. behind - (WaPost)
"Easy, Philadelphia. Just a slip. Broad Street, Bryce knows, is not in Washington. This whole Phillies thing, it might take some time to settle in as normal, even for the guy wearing the jersey and receiving the cash."
2019 Nationals minor league spring training roster - (MASN)
"MASNsports.com has obtained a copy of the 2019 Washington Nationals minor league roster for spring training..."
Kurt Suzuki did a very not nice thing to a baseball today.#SpringTraining // #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/5LhtnATvak
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 2, 2019
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Daniel Johnson showing promise for Indians in spring training - (news-herald.com)
"Keep an eye on Daniel Johnson, the outfield prospect acquired in November from the Washington Nationals along with pitcher Jefry Rodriquez and minor league infielder Andruw Monasterio for All-Star catcher Yan Gomes."
The Nats have Doolittle, Rosenthal (who looks great) and Baraclough but they remain keenly interested in Craig Kimbrel. Two of the other main threats on CK are the Braves and Phillies, who have done plenty. @Buster_ESPN and @Ken_Rosenthal mentioned Nats interest
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 2, 2019
Brian Dozier greets his former teammates, but he won't play today - (StarTribune.com)
"It’s not really Brian Dozier Day for the Twins. More like Brian Dozier Morning."
New York Mets Wilson Ramos: ‘I Want To Win The World Series – That’s Why I Picked This Team’ - (WFAN)
"I want to win. I want to win the World Series. That was the reason I picked this team. That’s a pretty strong team.”
Comparing Rockies' Nolan Arenado and Phillies' Bryce Harper - (Denver Post)
"Over the past three seasons, Arenado has produced 5.4 defensive wins above replacement (WAR) at third base. Harper, playing a less important defensive position, has a minus-4.2 defensive WAR over the same period."
Latest notes! Trout’s value: Far more than Harper and Machado; #Nationals ponder Kimbrel; #SFGiants still in tough spot; #Athletics not giving up on Kyler Murray; thoughts on Khris Davis extension. https://t.co/qEU5xN78YO $
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 2, 2019
Bryce Harper teases Mike Trout union with Phillies - (Yahoo!Sports)
"Harper now installed as a franchise cornerstone for the next 13 years, Philadelphia can easily sell its commitment to winning. And also write a big check to back it up."
MLB rumors: Nationals remain interested in Craig Kimbrel; Bryce Harper introduced by Phillies - (CBSSports.com)
"GM Mike Rizzo would still like to fortify the bullpen, and he reportedly has eyes for the biggest bullpen fish still out there."