Wire Taps: Washington Nationals wrap up Spring Training 2.0 with win; Nats vs NY Yankees on Thursday + more...

Patrick Corbin was asked for his thoughts on the piped-in crowd noise major league teams are going with in empty stadiums in the 60-game MLB campaign which starts tomorrow in the nation’s capital, and the veteran starter said he thought it was actually a good idea.

“I think we probably should do it,” Corbin explained.

“Some guys out there if they give up a hit or something happens, you might not want to hear what they say, so I think it at least helps that.”

Corbin faced the Orioles last night in the final exhibition game of Spring Training 2.0, and he said he and his teammates are excited to finally get started, four months after they all thought they would.

“We obviously never expected it to be this way, but I think guys are just ready to just get this thing going. We’ve been ready for a long time to get back on the field. We’re excited.”

Go read your links. There’s real baseball tomorrow...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals' players, coaches pick up new duties amid coronavirus pandemic - (WaPost)
“In baseball, as in many workplaces during the novel coronavirus pandemic, odd jobs are common. Old jobs are more nuanced and complicated.”

Why is velocity down for Sean Doolittle and other Nationals pitchers? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Sean Doolittle threw 14 pitches Tuesday night, 11 for strikes and none faster than 89 mph."

Ready or not, exhibition season is over for Nationals - (MASN)
"It’s impossible to know at this point, but here’s what we do know after three exhibition games played in empty ballparks..."

What questions do Nats face before opener? - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals wrapped up their Summer Camp intersquad action on Tuesday with a 6-4, rain-shortened win over the Orioles."

Nationals to open title defense against New York Yankees, just like in 1925 - (WaPost)
“Fauci’s first pitch, by contrast, will come before the smallest audience in Nationals history, with no spectators allowed at Nationals Park.”

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

At Long Last, Baseball’s (Almost) Back - (FiveThirtyEight)
"Our model favors the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees in the American League (with Sara’s beloved Minnesota Twins close behind), and the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals lead the National League."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Yoenis Cespedes will DH on Opening Day but says he's ready to play field - (Newsday)
"Yoenis Cespedes isn’t full bore yet, but he is going to play anyway. Two years and one day after his most recent major-league game..."

Are you ready to believe in Phillies' Vince Velasquez again? Joe Girardi is - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"You can take it to the bank that Velasquez will be in the rotation and he's likely to pitch at The Bank during the Phillies' season-opening series against the Miami Marlins this weekend."

Notes: Priority with Villar? 'Keep him healthy' - (MLB.com)
"Much of the Marlins' planned upgrade to their offense depends on keeping [Jonathan] Villar in the lineup."

Jhoulys Chacín signs with Braves - (MLB.com)
"The Braves added to their pitching depth on Tuesday, signing veteran right-hander Jhoulys Chacín to a one-year contract for the 2020 season."