Wire Taps: Nationals face tough decisions ahead of trade deadline; Kyle Barraclough struggling + more Nats links...

Ken Rosenthal started the morning off with some speculatin’ over at The Athletic, talking to Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo about the possibility of even entertaining any thought of trading Max Scherzer [SPOILER: It doesn’t seem likely.], and the thinking with Anthony Rendon as the 2019 trade deadline approaches.

Rizzo also offers some thoughts on where the Nationals stand as of now... Go read your links:

THE BIG STORY:

Rosenthal: What would need to happen for the Nationals to trade Max Scherzer – (The Athletic)
"Asked specifically about [Max] Scherzer, [Mike] Rizzo said, “We’re certainly not thinking about that right now. We control the best pitcher in baseball for 2 1/2 more years – three playoff runs."

NATS BEAT:

Stephen Strasburg gives up four homers - (MLB.com)
“'I think when you make mistakes here in the big leagues, you give them a much better chance to barrel it,' Strasburg said. 'And they barreled it.'"

Strasburg pounded early, Nats can't rally vs. D-backs - (MASN)
"It’ll take victory in Sunday’s series finale to salvage a four-game split, this in front of a huge seven-game stretch next week against the Phillies and Braves..."

Stephen Strasburg’s trying outing leaves the Nationals with a 10-3 loss to Arizona - (WaPost)
"The right-hander allowed four home runs for the first time since 2014, and Washington couldn’t respond."

How long can Nats stick with struggling Barraclough? - (MASN)
"As damaging as Trevor Rosenthal’s early season performance was to the Nationals bullpen, Kyle Barraclough’s struggles have had nearly as much of a negative impact on that group as a whole."

Jeremy Hellickson making progress with shoulder pain - (MLB.com)
"Hellickson had never dealt with shoulder injuries in his career, so at first he tried to push through the soreness."

Clarke settles down, perplexes Nats in 10-3 D-backs win - (MASN)
"Early Saturday afternoon, it looked like the Nationals had a good approach to their matchup with right-hander Taylor Clarke."

Max Scherzer may be the last pitcher to tally 3,000 strikeouts - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Scherzer’s path is not in doubt. He will need around 240 strikeouts next season to hit it."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Saturday's top prospect performers - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Luis Garcia, INF (No. 2, MLB No. 62) – 2-for-4, R (Double-A Harrisburg): Batting in the two-hole on Saturday, Garcia was one of two Senators players to tally multiple hits in their 3-0 win over Reading."

Archie Bradley named starting pitcher for Diamondbacks' series finale vs. Nationals - (AZCentral)
"For someone as social as Archie Bradley, keeping news of this magnitude under wraps was no easy task. But he was finally able to address it after Saturday’s game at Nationals Park."

It's a Father's Day weekend to remember for Diamondbacks rookie Taylor Clarke - (AZCentral)
"A Father’s Day weekend spent watching his son pitch is nothing new for Noel Clarke, the father of Diamondbacks right-hander Taylor Clarke."

A New Hope: The Force Awakens in D.C. – (The Athletic)
"For Nationals closer Sean Doolittle, it’s about getting his own bobblehead. But not just any bobblehead: an Obi ‘Sean’ Kenobi themed one..."