Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ starters making good progress; Nats’ Will Harris is pretty good + night work...

Davey Martinez told reporters on Sunday afternoon that he was changing things up a bit this week and moving workouts to late in the day so his players can get used to the 6:00 hour they’ll play a lot of their home games in during the 60-game MLB season (assuming they actually get to play this year).

“When we start, I think our first game is at 7:05. I want these guys to get accustomed to playing some night games. And also too, it’s been hot. I mean, real hot,” Martinez said.

“Moving some of these games to night we get a little bit of a break from that heat. Give these guys a break. But I want to get used to that playing at night.

“I think maybe Sunday we might play our game at 1:00 again. Just so that they understand, ‘Hey, we’ve got a night game on Saturday we’re going to play a day game on Sunday,’ and get them used to that as well.”

So, get used to getting news and quotes and stuff late in the evening rather than in the late afternoon hour that it’s been coming in over the past few weeks.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Pitching Stories:

Nationals pitchers progress during Summer Camp - (MLB.com)
"Nationals manager Dave Martinez was happy to welcome back his team for Summer Camp workouts. When he saw his starting pitchers arrive at Nationals Park, that added an extra smile."

Starters believe they'll be ready for 90-100 pitches by opener - (MASN)
"[Aníbal] Sánchez was the final member of the projected rotation to face live hitters, but the veteran right-hander looked more ready for the season than any of his teammates."

Corbin pitches well in simulated game; protocols annoy Thames - (MASN)
"Martinez has worked catcher Raudy Read at first base and moved others around on the infield so they can get some experience at different spots."

Nationals’ Plan A is for their starters to be ramped up by Opening Day - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals’ rotation is already approaching pitch counts it wouldn’t normally see until midway through spring training."

Other Nationals Stories:

Thames working hard on his defense at first base - (MASN)
“I am fortunate to have a couple guys that can DH, [Eric Thames] being one of them. It’s nice. Instead of maybe him not playing one game you can pop him in and let him DH.”

Nats' Thames on 1B drills: 'I'm busting my butt' - (MLB.com)
“'Staying healthy, whether it’s an actual injury or getting sick, that’s the No. 1 priority,' Thames said on Saturday. 'It is definitely different right now at first base.'"

Taking a crack at a 30-man opening day roster - (MASN)
"And there’s a whole lot the Nats still need to figure out between now and then. Like who’s going to make the opening night roster."

Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Howie Kendrick among several Nationals players still not in Summer Camp - (NBC Sports Washington)
"More than a week into the Major League Baseball’s reboot, and its gleefully-named and grotesquely-sponsored Summer Camp, the Nationals are still in wait-and-see mode."

Nats have contingency plans for missing players - (MLB.com)
"As the July 23 opener against the Yankees nears, the Nats are exploring contingency plans in case their lineup has holes in it."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Don't forget about these 5 sleeper moves - (MLB.com)
"Will Harris - He and Aroldis Chapman are the only relievers in baseball to record a 115 ERA+ or better across at least 45 innings in each of the past five seasons."

Olney -- Rob Manfred, Tony Clark should be front and center to answer coronavirus concerns - (ESPN)
"Some teams and players have been able to maintain full focus on baseball, but as the Nationals' Sean Doolittle explained the other day, being in baseball is emotionally exhausting right now..."

Why these seven impending MLB free agents have the most on the line in shortened 2020 season - (CBSSports.com)
"Adam Eaton - The 31-year-old remains a pesky on-base guy and he hasn't posted a sub-100 OPS+ since 2013."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Ron Washington adjusted lifestyle during quarantine, feels safe as MLB... - (AJC.com)
"Braves third base coach Ron Washington, at age 68, is comfortable coaching this season because he has faith in Major League Baseball and himself."

Notes: Marlins' roster plans; Villar goes deep - (MLB.com)
"Whichever way the Marlins go, Major League director of player personnel Dan Greenlee and the analytics department will have a say."

Lack of drama gives Mets reason to 'believe' - (NY Post)
"The hurdles to a season remain significant, but it’s OK to recognize small victories while stressing the need to stay vigilant."

McCutchen 'all about' creating positive change - (MLB.com)
"Andrew McCutchen could have tweeted a thought, a picture, a GIF, put down his phone and lived his life. He never considered that. Not then. Not now."