Wire Taps: Washington Nationals get their World Series rings; Flight from Dominican Republic; + more Nats news...

Washington Post writer Jesse Dougherty has been digging into the Washington Nationals who have yet to start participating in Spring Training 2.0, and he reported last night on a flight from the Dominican Republic that exposed a number of players to coronavirus, and those who boarded the flight were not tested beforehand. No really.

I mean, we just, we just — we just can’t. Go read your links...

BIG STORY:

MLB charter flights from the Dominican Republic spark more testing concerns - (WaPost)
“Multiple players who took one of two Major League Baseball-chartered flights from the Dominican Republic to Miami on July 1 have since tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to several people with knowledge of the situation.”

NATS BEAT:

Ring Stories:

Players, staff respond with joy at finally receiving World Series rings - (MASN)
"It was another special day for the Nationals at Nationals Park, as players and staff received their 2019 World Series championship rings prior to Thursday’s batting practice and on-field workouts."

Nats receive rings: 'Definitely worth the wait' - (MLB.com)
"Washington's ring design was virtually unveiled on May 24, the one-year anniversary of their turnaround from a 19-31 start."

Nationals announce 2021 schedule, show off World Series rings - (WaPost)
“A gold-trimmed jersey, which World Series champions have taken to wearing for their home openers, was hanging by [Adam] Eaton’s locker.”

Other Nationals Stories:

Nationals manager Davey Martinez among those who dislike new extra-inning rule - (NBC Sports Washington)
"A runner will start on second from the 10th inning on. Commissioner Rob Manfred once said this rule -- in the minor leagues for the last two years -- was unlikely to be applied in Major League Baseball."

Notes: Strasburg preps; Castro back; '21 slate - (MLB.com)
"No pitcher in baseball ended their season on a higher note last year than Strasburg, who turns 32 on July 20."

Castro joins camp, Nats thinking about piping in crowd noise - (MASN)
"[Starlin] Castro, projected to be the club’s new second baseman and potentially No. 3 hitter, hadn’t been allowed to come to Nationals Park upon first arriving from the Dominican Republic."

2014 Nationals seemed every bit a World Series favorite until NLDS slip-ups - (Washington Times)
"The year was 2014, and the Nationals' circumstances seemed perfect for a run at a title. So when the Nationals were eliminated that year, players couldn't help but feel like they blew their best opportunity yet to make a World Series run."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Sean Doolittle Challenged U.S. To Become Functioning Society For Sports To Return, And We’re Failing - (Forbes)
"At the beginning of the week, All-Star Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle captured the zeitgeist when he was speaking with reporters about the biggest roadblock towards bringing team sports back..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

J.T. on extension talks: 'Focus on the team' - (MLB.com)
"Is it possible that he could sign an extension before Opening Day on July 24? Or does it make more sense to test the free-agent market? He is only 60 games away at this point."

Mets' Michael Wacha threw in parking lot during coronavirus break - (NY Post)
"Now, Wacha is trying to get ready for a truncated season set to begin in just over two weeks."

New dimensions 'will definitely help' Marlins - (MLB.com)
"At Summer Camp, the roof has been mostly closed, but the wall has been open, allowing winds to become a factor."

Acuña's on-field banter rivaled only by his play - (MLB.com)
"Once Acuña received the ball, he waved it as he looked toward Ozuna, who had gone 2-for-24 before Spring Training was shut down in March."