Wire Taps: Washington Nationals pipe in the crowd noise; Paul Menhart talks, Get to know Jake Irvin + more...

Davey Martinez teased the fact that some of the players getting their work in over at the Nationals’ Alternate Training Site in Fredericksburg, VA might start showing up in D.C. to help out in the sim games the club has been holding this week.

He got a look at the 23-year-old, 2018 4th Round pick Jake Irvin on Wednesday night, and the manager of the defending World Series champs liked what he saw.

“You saw one of our young guys today, [Jake] Irvin, who came out and threw an inning and threw the ball really well,’ Martinez said. “He was 95-97. It’s so funny to watch these young kids come up, and he walked off the mound and had those big old eyeballs sticking out.

“I can remember those days when I was a kid, coming up and playing in those little games, but it was fun to watch him come out and pitch.

“He’s going to be a good one. He’s going to help us real soon.”

How soon? We’ll see. Anything can happen this season, probably. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals Scene and Heard: Crowd noise makes its way into the stadium - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Suddenly on Thursday, the speakers were alive in Nationals Park."

For Daniel Hudson, playing in 2020 means barely seeing family. He’s not alone. - (WaPost)
“They decided he would play. But that doubled as a choice to hardly see each other for at least three months.”

Notes: Harris takes hill; keeping 'pen fresh - (MLB.com)
"The last time Will Harris threw in a game, he was in an Astros uniform and had been charged with the loss in the deciding matchup of the 2019 World Series -- against the Nationals."

Menhart "impressed" with pitchers' readiness after hiatus - (MASN)
“'Guys were ramping up in anticipation of starting on June 1,' Menhart said. 'So they’ve been ready for this moment since then, I would say.'"

MASN will not televise Nationals or Orioles home exhibition games - (WaPost)
“MASN will not air any exhibitions hosted by the Nationals or Baltimore Orioles in the lead-up to the regular season.”

After some tinkering, Nats pleased with artificial crowd noise - (MASN)
"Yes, fake crowd noise joined the party tonight. And, based on the players’ positive response, it appears it will be here to stay."

Nationals know they can’t ‘do the whole 19-31’ again in shortened season - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Slump for two weeks? That could be it for your average in 2020. Have a bad relief appearance? Your ERA is toast."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

America, You Don’t Deserve To Have Sports Right Now - (Forbes)
"Washington Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle recently talked about bringing sports back in the pandemic and landed on some truisms. Namely, 'sports are like the reward of a functioning society.'"

The Four Biggest Tactical Innovations We Could See This MLB Season - (The Ringer)
"The Nationals look to be the team that could benefit most from going with four starting pitchers, if not for the whole 60-game run then at least for the final few trips through the rotation."

MLB preview: Yankees, Dodgers most watchable teams - (Sports Illustrated)
"Washington Nationals: Juan Soto has a solid case as the single most watchable player in baseball."

Irvin makes Nats 60-man roster - (hometownsource.com)
"Bloomington native Jake Irvin is on the Washington Nationals 60-man list as the major league baseball club finalizes plans for the 60-game condensed 2020 season."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Cristian Pache has Grade 2 right ankle sprain - (MLB.com)
"Braves top prospect Cristian Pache will need to recover from a right ankle sprain before resuming his bid to make his Major League debut this year."

No questions masked, high-risk Didi Gregorius will wear one - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"With the help of Phillies athletic trainers, [Didi] Gregorius found a mask that he really likes. It's comfortable and it filters air."

Mets give back with over $1 million in coronavirus relief - (NY Post)
"The Mets and their Community Investment Group are spending over $1 million on COVID-19 relief efforts in both Queens and the surrounding tri-state area."

Notes: Alcantara's ace potential; Sierra's role - (MLB.com)
"To reach the level of established ace -- like Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander -- Mattingly said that Alcantara needs to continue his progression."