Wire Taps: Washington Nationals take two from Toronto Blue Jays; Stephen Strasburg update + more...

Carter Kieboom singled and walked in his final two plate appearances on Wednesday night and then went 2 for 2 with two walks in Thursday’s series finale in the nation’s capital, so he has now reached base in six consecutive plate appearances, and the 22-year-old rookie is 4 for 9 with three walks and three Ks in three games.

“I love his discipline right now,” Nationals’ skipper Davey Martinez said after the club’s 6-4 win in the finale with the Blue Jays. “The fact that he’s using the whole field is really nice too.

“The key for him as a young hitter is to swing at strikes and not chase, and he’s done a good job of that these last couple days, so it’s really good to see.”

It is good to see. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Focus on details amid a pandemic? The Nationals show some days it’s easier than others. - (WaPost)
“Every major league player — and fan for that matter — is torn by two states of minds right now: Play the season or cancel it. No one knows which it will be.”

Castro and Kieboom lead Nats to 6-4 win in series finale - (MASN)
"The Nationals had to leave a lot of firepower on the bench in Thursday’s series afternoon finale."

Kieboom, Castro own their roles in Nats W - (MLB.com)
"Kieboom has gotten on base in six consecutive plate appearances, spanning from Wednesday into Thursday."

Nationals use unlikely formula to enter unexpected break on high note - (WaPost)
“A bullpen combination of Ryne Harper, Sam Freeman, Javy Guerra, Tanner Rainey and Daniel Hudson doesn’t sound, at first mention, like a winning bingo card.”

Nerve pain gone, Strasburg plans to throw off mound - (MASN)
"A pitcher who misses two starts might normally need to face live hitters before pitching in an actual game, but Martinez said that might not be necessary in Strasburg’s case."

Josh Harrison influence on Nationals - (MLB.com)
Josh Harrison has been a member of the Nationals for only four days, and his enthusiasm already has made an impression.

Nationals bats come alive, delivering second win over Blue Jays - (Washington Times)
"Manager Dave Martinez mused after a 10-inning nailbiter of a victory that maybe his team could win in regulation the next day. On a humid Thursday afternoon, he got his wish."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Marlins and Phillies COVID Cases and “The Good, the Bad, and the Uggla” - (The Ringer)
“Plus, NY Daily News’ Bradford William Davis weighs in on national anthem demonstrations around the MLB.”

Here's each team's biggest impact rookie - (MLB.com)
"Kieboom homered in his big league debut last season but also was overmatched during an 11-game audition with the Nationals, filling in for an injured Trea Turner."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Marcus Stroman set to face live hitters in path back from calf injury - (New York Daily News)
"Marcus Stroman (left calf muscle tear) will face live hitters Friday for his first major step in returning to the Mets rotation."

Seranthony Domínguez has Tommy John surgery - (MLB.com)
"Phillies right-hander Seranthony Domínguez on Thursday finally had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow."

A 17th Marlins player positive for COVID-19; season’s resumption in doubt - (South Florida Sun Sentinel - South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
"Another player with the Miami Marlins has tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the team's outbreak total to 17 players, according to a person familiar with the situation."

Fried shows makings of ace, silencing Rays - (MLB.com)
"The Braves lefty took another step toward that status as he posted zeroes through the first six innings of a 2-1 win over the Rays on Thursday night at Truist Park."