Wire Taps: Washington Nationals resume ST 2.0 workouts; Juan Soto update; Trea Turner talks

Reporters, noting the absence of some players from Spring Training 2.0 workouts in D.C. on Tuesday morning, asked Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo about the status of Juan Soto, Howie Kendrick, Victor Robles, Luis Garcia, and Starlin Castro. Rizzo, like other GMs around the country, isn’t sharing personal health information on players as baseball tries to ramp back up amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but he did answer the question as well as he could, stating that the club previously reported that two players tested positive for COVID-19, and other were in contact with them.

“The thing that we’ll share is that two of our players have tested positive for the virus,” Rizzo said.

“They’re obviously in quarantine, and anybody who comes in contact with [them] needs to be retested.”

“Now,” the GM added, “several of those players that you mentioned beyond the two positive tests, have tested negative in their intake tests, but if you come into any type of contact with a player that is positive — and we cast a real wide net of being in contact with them — you have to be retested.

“And those players were retested a couple days ago and we’re waiting on the results on a group of those players that you mentioned.”

Washington Post writer Jesse Dougherty cited sources who told him that Soto was one of the players who’s currently quarantined, but beyond that, the club hasn’t shared any more information.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Workout Stories:

Notes: Strasburg, Kieboom looking good - (MLB.com)
"On Wednesday, Max Scherzer is scheduled to throw three frames in a simulated game and a group of relievers are slated to pitch one inning each."

Nats resume workouts, tests came back negative - (MLB.com)
"The players were instructed to stay at home, forego baseball activities and quarantine on Monday. Rizzo said he felt a responsibility to put his team in the safest situation for their health."

Washington Nationals return for full team workout after testing shutdown - (WaPost)
“When asked about those who were absent Tuesday, Rizzo told reporters that some of those players came into contact with someone who contracted the coronavirus and were in isolation while awaiting test results.”

Nats return to work, still waiting for several players to be cleared - (MASN)
"Those July 3 test results finally arrived late Monday. All came back negative. So the Nationals instructed everyone to come this morning and resume workouts."

Mike Rizzo: ‘I couldn’t live with myself if we went on haphazardly’ - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals were among a trio of teams that did not workout Monday because they were still awaiting coronavirus test results from Major League Baseball."

Work ramps up in D.C. as second camp opens in Fredericksburg - (MASN)
"A simulated game is planned for Wednesday’s workout, with Max Scherzer leading the way. The staff ace is scheduled to throw three innings vs. live hitters..."

Nationals resume training, hoping health protocols help players focus on baseball - (Washington Times)
"The Washington Nationals are doing everything they can to prevent any possible spread of the coronavirus among their players and staff."

Turner tries out cold-weather field mask during Tuesday workout - (MASN)
"During the pandemic-shortened season, players will not be allowed to spit on field or in the dugout before, during or after games. Turner said wearing a mask might actually help him subconsciously follow this rule."

Other Nationals Stories:

Denaburg on his right shoulder recovery: "I feel like myself again" - (MASN)
"Nationals 2018 first-round selection Mason Denaburg told me his recovery from a right shoulder cleanout last October is progressing nicely."

What’s in a name for Nationals? A fresh start and no controversy - (NBC Sports Washington)
"According to historians, people would refer to the Senators teams operating closer to the turn of the 20th century as the 'Nationals' on occasion."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

MLB’s Testing Mess May KO Season - (FanGraphs)
"The Athletic‘s Brittany Ghiroli reported that 'a vast majority of teams had incomplete or pending results. They were not able to submit those to the league by the deadline.'”

National League Schedule Analysis - (RotoGraphs)
"Besides the Nationals and Dodgers, I found none of the other pitching staffs to be elite."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Acuña sets sights on joining this exclusive club - (MLB.com)
"'I felt great going into these summer workouts,' Acuña said. 'Once Spring Training ended, I did everything I could to stay in shape and take care of my body.'"

J.T. Realmuto and Phillies may be wise to wait on extension until after season - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Naturally, Phillies fans want to see the club lock up an all-star level talent for the foreseeable future as soon as possible."

Alonso has 'fun antics' up his sleeve for 2020 - (MLB.com)
"It would be difficult to find a player more enthusiastic for the 2020 season than Alonso, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year Award winner who, in his words, is 'geeked up to play.'"

'Juices were flowing' -- Meyer takes mound - (MLB.com)
"Keeping his emotions in check was the tricky part for Marlins pitching prospect Max Meyer on Tuesday during his first bullpen session as a professional ballplayer."