Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo extension talk; Nationals lose to Fish; Stephen Strasburg update...

Before last night’s game, Davey Martinez talked as if it would be Erick Fedde going in the second game of today’s doubleheader with the Marlins.

“Obviously it’s Max [Scherzer’s] day,” Martinez explained, “... so he’ll pitch one of the games, we don’t know if it’s game 1 or Game 2 yet and then we’ll decide which game we’ll go — it’s either going to be Fedde, which, that’s what I’m leaning towards, so we’ll see.”

After the game? Would he confirm that it’s going to be Fedde and Scherzer in one game or the other?

“TBD. We still haven’t decided yet, I’ll know more tomorrow.”

Go read your links while you wait for the official announcement...

NATS BEAT:

Pay that man his money:

Mike Rizzo earned a new contract from the Washington Nationals - (WaPost)
"Every day, the Nats’ organization — from scouts to the front office — buzzes with one question: When will the Lerners offer Rizzo a contract extension, one that has been assumed throughout MLB since November?"

Strasburg News:

Surgery among the options going forward for Stephen Strasburg - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Stephen Strasburg’s 2020 season sounds close to a conclusion."

Surgery possible for Strasburg to fix carpal tunnel neuritis - (MASN)
"Stephen Strasburg’s follow-up exam with a hand specialist confirmed the Nationals’ initial diagnosis of carpal tunnel neuritis."

Notes: Options for Stras; injury updates - (MLB.com)
"[Davey] Martinez planned to speak with Strasburg on Friday to gain insight as to how the 11th-year veteran wants to proceed before the team makes any decisions."

Other Nationals Stories:

Patrick Corbin strong in Nationals loss to Marlins - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals’ arms are in for a long road ahead, and each inning pitched is a valuable asset that can have a domino effect on the rest of the staff."

Nationals bats are quiet again in 3-2 loss to Marlins - (MASN)
"All night long, they waited for their lineup to strike. It felt like it was going to happen eventually, right?"

The Nationals go down quietly to open a five-game series with the Marlins - (WaPost)
"It took a high-wire act from Tanner Rainey to keep the Washington Nationals just a run behind the Miami Marlins on Friday night at Nationals Park."

Kendrick "75 to 80 percent" recovered from hamstring issue - (MASN)
"Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he will decide after tonight’s game how he plans to set up the starting rotation for the remainder of this wraparound series with the Marlins."

Suzuki's pregame throwing drill helps his pitcher's in-game success - (MASN)
"During early pregame at Nationals Park, Kurt Suzuki and bullpen coach Henry Blanco perform a catching drill in the outfield."

From the Community: An interview with Lou Morga, Vice President of Hospitality for Levy - (Curly W Live)
"Lou has been working at Nationals Park for Levy, the Nationals partner for ballpark food and beverage, since the winter of 2017."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

NL EAST UPDATES:

Aaron Nola knocked out in third inning as Phillies get pummeled by Braves - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"The only good thing on a bad night is that the Phillies picked up bullpen help during the game."

What Subway Series postponement could mean for Mets' rotation - (NY Post)
"The Nos. 4 and 7 trains will take the entire weekend off from converging, at least in a baseball sense."

Miguel Rojas homers in return from COVID-19, Marlins win - (MLB.com)
"One has to wonder how much Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas missed the game of baseball. If you base it on Friday’s 3-2 win over the Nationals, Rojas missed it -- big-time."

Notes: Acuña, Albies, Jackson, rotation - (MLB.com)
"[Ronald] Acuña was feeling better when he arrived at Truist Park on Friday afternoon. But the 22-year-old outfielder will not be cleared to begin swinging a bat until Saturday."