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Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ prospect Wil Crowe on arriving at Spring Training 2.0; Victor Robles returns to action

Catch up on the last 24 hours in Nationals news while you wait for the start of tonight’s game with the Orioles...

Philadelphia Phillies v Washington Nationals
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 18: A general view of empty seats due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic after the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on July 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Davey Martinez was asked on Thursday night if Wil Crowe, the Washington Nationals’ No. 4 prospect on MLB Pipeline’s list and a pitcher included on the 60-Man Player Pool for 2020’s MLB season, had been at workouts yet, and, as has been the case with all medical issues this Spring, the manager declined to provide much in the way of information, outside of confirming that, “No,” Crowe had not been to camp either in D.C. or Fredericksburg, VA yet.

”That’s all I can say about that,” Martinez explained.

“He’ll be joining us as soon as he possibly can. So, hopefully he’ll be here soon as well.”

A little before Washington Post writer Jesse Dougherty confirmed last night that Crowe, 25, had been, “quarantining at his offseason home in Charleston the last few weeks,” before he, “... reported to Fredericksburg ... and was back on the field,” at the Nats’ Alternative Training site on Sunday, the pitcher told his story to (16-year-old reporter) Eli Fishman, explaining in a video that his wife tested positive for COVID-19 while he was on his way to Washington for the start of Spring Training 2.0, forcing him to return home where he tested positive as well.

Crowe finally had two negative tests, was able to return to Washington, and he got negative results at in-take testing so that he could return to workouts.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Robles, Robles, Robles:

Victor Robles says he'll be ready for opening day despite missing extensive time - (Washington Times)
"Victor Robles only began working out with his Washington Nationals teammates Saturday. Opening day is just a few days off. But in the 23-year-old’s eyes, it will be no sweat."

Victor Robles thinks he will be ready for Nationals' opener - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Victor Robles ran in his parking garage and lifted weights in his apartment for two weeks."

Robles expects to be ready; Suero back - (MLB.com)
"[Victor] Robles went through outfield drills, ran the bases, took batting practice and got six at-bats in a sim game on Sunday."

Robles expects to be ready for opener, Suero rejoins camp - (MASN)
"Even if Robles is deemed not ready to start opening night, the Nats could still keep him on the expanded 30-man roster to begin the season..."

Not Robles Stories:

The Nationals’ first road game is against the Blue Jays. Where? Good question. - (WaPost)
“Buffalo has only a Class AAA stadium; Dunedin, where Toronto holds spring training, is in a state that is a persisting coronavirus hot spot.”

Cabrera likely to start, Voth impresses, Toronto is out - (MASN)
"That statement seemed to conflict with Martinez’s declaration at the start of summer training that the job would belong to Kieboom."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Why Nationals aces Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin face steep climb in shortened season - (CBSSports.com)
"Given their ages -- Scherzer (35), Strasburg (31) and Corbin (30) -- heading into this season along with the workload concerns, the smart money would've been on a tough year for the Nats' trio of aces."

The Heroic Story of How Jose Andres' Charity Feeds 250,000 People a Day in a Pandemic - (Washingtonian)
"Around 7:00 am, the first of the crew begins shuffling into Nationals Park. By 7:30, about 30 cooks have arrived."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Wheeler turns in tune-up ahead of big week - (MLB.com)
"Wheeler threw 86 pitches over 4 1/3 innings in a 5-1 exhibition loss to the Orioles at Citizens Bank Park."

Jacob deGrom lights out in Mets simulated game - (NY Post)
"DeGrom threw 60 pitches Sunday, struck out nine of the 14 batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit."

Elieser secures 5th spot in Marlins' rotation - (MLB.com)
"The competition for the Marlins’ fifth starter had basically been a tossup, but now that spot appears to be resolved."

This is how Braves' rotation may look - (MLB.com)
"Though the Braves' rotation currently lacks an established ace, the quality depth of this rather young but mature group could still make it one of the game’s better starting staffs."