Wire Taps: Washington Nationals cancel their workouts over testing issues; 2020 schedule released + more Nats links...

Mike Rizzo you insubordinate so-and-so. Rizzo read MLB the press release riot act over the delayed test results which forced several teams around the majors (including the defending World Series champs on Monday) to cancel workouts over the last few days, explaining in a press release that it’s fairly simple: “Major League Baseball needs to work quickly to resolve issues with their process and their lab. Otherwise, Summer Camp and the 2020 Season are at risk.” Get your testing together, MLB. Go read your links the rest of you:

NATS BEAT:

Nationals Cancel Workouts:

Four days into MLB’s return, it’s fair to question the strategy - (WaPost)
“And yet, MLB considered Rizzo’s statement to be some sort of insubordination.”

Nationals’ decision to stall workouts shows just how precarious MLB season is - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The structure of the Major League Baseball season is built on a wobbly and shallow foundation. It took just three days for it to begin shaking."

Nationals cancel workout over coronavirus testing concerns - (WaPost)
“The Nationals have shut down training until they receive those Friday results. When they do, they will assess how to move forward.”

Nationals cancel workout due to delay in test results (updated) - (MASN)
"Other teams have dealt with similar issues. The Athletics, in particular, weren’t able to hold their planned full-squad workout Sunday because test results had not been returned yet."

Nationals, Astros cancel workouts over virus testing delays - (Washington Times)
"Baseball’s two World Series teams canceled workouts Monday because of coronavirus testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the season."

Nationals cancel workouts, temporarily close summer camp - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Washington Nationals made it three days before they decided to shut down their workouts at Nationals Park because of coronavirus concerns."

2020 Schedule Released:

Nationals scheduled to open 60-game season at home against the Yankees - (WaPost)
“Washington would play each of its divisional opponents 10 times and a total of 20 games against AL East opponents.”

Nationals' revised 2020 schedule is revealed - (Washington Times)
"Major League Baseball revealed its schedule for the 60-game 2020 season Monday evening, leading off with the Washington Nationals hosting the New York Yankees on July 23 in primetime on ESPN."

Nats-Yanks tilt headlines 2020 Opening Night - (MLB.com)
"The schedule is split evenly with 30 home and road games. Of the away contests, the Nationals will make four road trips, with two spanning 10 games each."

Nats to host Yankees in nationally televised MLB opener - (MASN)
"In addition to their three-game home series with the Yankees (July 23-26), they’ll travel to Fenway Park for a three-game series against the Red Sox Aug. 28-30."

Other Nationals Links:

Nationals to hold alternative Summer Camp practices at Fredericksburg ballpark - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals announced Monday that team will be hosting its alternative training camp in Fredericksburg, with the first practices scheduled for Tuesday."

Nats' taxi squad set to practice at new Fredericksburg stadium - (MASN)
"The Fredericksburg Nationals announced today that the parent Nationals’ alternate site for summer training player workouts will be at the new ballpark in Fredericksburg, Va."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Washington Nationals will have some players train in Fredericksburg - (fredericksburg.com)
"It turns out there will be some professional baseball in Fredericksburg in 2020 after all—but it won't be open to the public."

Baseball’s Return in Peril After Champs Shut Down Training - (Bloomberg)
"The World Series champion Washington Nationals have shut down their spring training after just three days, and their players and front office are questioning the wisdom of baseball’s return to play."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Nick Markakis says ‘eye opening’ conversation with Freddie..." - (AJC.com)
"Braves outfielder Nick Markakis has decided not to play in the 2020 season, manager Brian Snitker announced Monday."

Monte Harrison getting second chance with Marlins - (MLB.com)
"Don't count Monte Harrison out from making the Marlins' Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old outfielder has been given a second chance to make the big league club, three months after he was optioned to Triple-A Wichita."

Phillies’ coranavirus cases in Clearwater could give them a COVID-19 advantage - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"Can it possibly be any fun to root, root, root for the home team when you can’t tell the players without the COVID-19 report? If so, what do you think of the Phillies’ chances so far?"

Steve Cohen is making another big push to buy Mets - (NY Post)
"Sources close to billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen tell The Post that he will bid on the Mets this week after having his $2.6 billion deal for the team fall apart in the 11th hour back in February."