Wire Taps: Washington Nationals close Spring Training facility in West Palm Beach + GM Mike Rizzo on Carter Kieboom + more Nats links...

Mike Rizzo talked to reporters on Monday afternoon, revealing that the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is now being used as a COVID-19/coronavirus testing facility. Rizzo’s take on the situation makes up the bulk of the links this morning, though we did manage to find some random, interesting Nationals-related stories not based on the conference call with the GM of the defending World Series champs from Washington, D.C.

Go read your links, wash your hands, and continue to social distance, please:

NATS BEAT:

Rizzo Talks:

Nationals leave spring training facility after it is shut down, converted to coronavirus test site - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Turning the facility over for use by the national guard was among the provisions when it was constructed, then opened, in 2017."

Nationals' spring training facility closes to become virus testing site - (Washington Times)
"The Washington Nationals have closed their spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, to the players and staff remaining in town as Palm Beach County converts it into a coronavirus testing site."

Nats' spring complex set for coronavirus testing - (MLB.com)
"Thirteen players had remained in West Palm Beach following the suspension of Spring Training. Most of those players have homes in the area, and they are continuing their baseball work away from the complex."

Nationals’ spring training facility is now a coronavirus testing site - (WaPost)
"The Nationals had planned to use their spring training facility for a handful of remaining players, including any requiring treatment from team medical staff."

Other Nats Links:

Home confinement re-watch: 2019 NLCS Game 4 - (MASN)
"As Davey Martinez would so perfectly declare later in the evening: 'Often bumpy roads lead to beautiful places.' And the Nationals and baseball fans in D.C. had never been to a more beautiful place..."

For Zimmerman and the Nationals, March 30th will forever be a good day - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Late on a Sunday night, March 30, 2008, when Nationals Park had been open for a handful of hours, Ryan Zimmerman further defined his 'Mr. Walkoff' nickname."

Rizzo: Kieboom working on hitting and defense during coronavirus delay - (MASN)
"During the current delay, Rizzo said, each player has his own way of staying in baseball shape and all are going about their regular strength training."

Davey Martinez to ESPN: ‘I believe there will be baseball’ - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Baseball may not yet be close to returning to action, but Nationals manager Davey Martinez hasn’t given up hope that the 2020 season will be salvaged after the start of the campaign was delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Rozner: Nationals' Rizzo doesn't mind 'old-school' label - (Daily Herald)
"Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo is labeled as one of the few remaining old-school scouts in the game, yet there is some irony in Washington's World Series victory last fall."

'The situation sucks': Harrisburg Senators players trying to maneuver coronavirus delay with dwindling options - (cumberlink.com)
"In other years, the calendar turning to April would mean the start of another Harrisburg Senators’ season at FNB Field."

With Baseball On Hold, McGowin Waits For His Next Chance - (27 East)
"It was not just another spring training for Kyle McGowin and his Washington teammates. The Nationals were coming off their first ever World Series victory and McGowin, a Sag Harbor native with a rocket for a right arm, was looking forward to getting his championship ring with his teammates on April 14."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies’ Seranthony Dominguez facing decision after doctors recommend Tommy John surgery - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"No matter how long it takes for the 2020 baseball season to begin, it might be much longer before Seranthony Dominguez pitches again."

Pete Alonso defends Noah Syndergaard after surgery causes coronavirus backlash - (NY Post)
"The Mets first baseman took issue with a Sports Illustrated story examining if pitchers should be getting Tommy John surgery while the nation’s health care system is strained by the coronavirus pandemic and after several states imposed a ban on non-essential surgery in order to free up resources to deal with COVID-19."

Marlins' epic G7 win in 1997 WS to air Tuesday - (MLB.com)
"MLB Network is airing 'MLB’s 20 Greatest Games' starting at 1:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and Renteria’s walk-off single is featured as the No. 13 selection. Game 7 of the 1997 World Series will air at 3 p.m. and 11 p.m."

How MLB's agreement with union could affect Braves - (AJC.com)
"If the Braves play a substantially shortened schedule this year, which seems to be a best-case scenario at this point, many of their players would lose millions of dollars in salaries."