Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo talks; Aníbal Sánchez finds something + more...

Mike Rizzo’s assessment of the defending World Series champion’s start to the 2020 season?

“I’ve seen flashes of brilliance and I’ve seen mediocrity. So we’ve got to be more consistent,” the GM said on Sunday.

“Yesterday emphasized that no matter who you’re playing, you can’t give four, five, six, seven extra outs a game. You’ve got to play clean baseball, championship-caliber baseball.

“We went through this last year and cleaned it up rather quickly after a slow start, we have to do the same thing now and I don’t think it’s anywhere near too late to make adjustments, but we’ve got to play better. I like a lot of the things that I’m seeing, but we’ve got to clean up parts of our game.”

Clean it up, Nats. Go read your links, FBBers:

NATS BEAT:

Rizzo Talks:

In light of Stephen Strasburg's injury, Nats GM Mike Rizzo says team will be aggressive at trade deadline - (NBC Sports Washington)
"'We will not take this any less aggressively. We're here to win the World Series this year and that never changes,' he said on Sunday to reporters over a video conference call."

Rizzo confident Strasburg will return for 2021 at full health - (MASN)
"Rizzo said the carpal tunnel neuritis that Strasburg has experienced in his right hand and fingers is something that was built up over time, not from a one-time action."

Nats Win + more:

Anibal Sanchez effective in Nationals' win over Marlins - (Washington Times)
"Turner went 3 for 3 and scored two runs. Rookie Luis Garcia also had three hits and scored three times for the National, who have alternated wins and losses over their last 10 games."

Anibal Sanchez shows progress at good time after Stephen Strasburg's injury - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Anibal Sanchez had impeccable timing with his midseason turnaround last year and there could be a parallel to draw, if Sunday's start against the Marlins was a sign of more to come."

Wil Crowe among those to define true nature of Nationals farm system - (NBC Sports Washington)
"MLB Pipeline ranked the Nationals’ farm system 29th out of 30 teams before the season began. Kieboom and Luis García were labeled the organization’s top two prospects. Both are on the field now with regularity."

Sánchez takes a step in the right direction, guiding the Nationals to a 9-3 victory - (The Washington Post)
"The right-hander, who struggled in his first four starts, allowed one run and five hits in seven innings against the Marlins."

Effective Aníbal regains form, sets tone in W - (MLB.com)
"Location had been a point of emphasis after each of Sánchez’s starts this season. Manager Dave Martinez stressed the importance of getting the ball down in the strike zone."

Turner hot and Sánchez cool as Nats roll past Marlins 9-3 - (MASN)
"Eaton finished with the double, a walk and two RBIs. Manager Davey Martinez said the Nats have worked with Eaton to look for better pitches to make contact."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

MLB trade deadline rumors: Giants cut Hunter Pence; Nationals could stand pat despite Strasburg injury - (CBSSports.com)
"Obviously, it remains to be seen what caliber of starting pitcher is available on the market, but that's now an area of need for the Nats."

Patiño to Pujols: Best player at each age - (MLB.com)
"On Monday night, the Nationals’ Luis García, who was born on May 16, 2000, hit a home run against the Atlanta Braves. This made García the first player born in the 2000s to homer in a Major League Baseball game..."

Mike Rizzo On Nationals' Deadline Plans - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Today’s 9-3 victory over the Marlins improved the Nationals’ record to a modest 11-14, though like virtually every team in baseball, Washington is still in the playoff race in this shortened season."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Bryce Harper pays his respect to Kobe Bryant during Phillies-Braves game - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Bryce Harper paid his respects to the late Kobe Bryant with a No. 8 jersey under his Phillies uniform Sunday night in Atlanta."

What Mets' schedule may look like in coronavirus aftermath - (NY Post)
"Following a lost weekend for the Mets, indications pointed toward a workout at Citi Field on Monday followed by a series starting against the Marlins there Tuesday."

What’s different for Marlins’ Pablo López in 2020? - (Fish Stripes)
"As Don Mattingly recently said, Pablo López has been the ace of the Marlins pitching staff."

Touki Toussaint, Braves fall to Phillies - (MLB.com)
"Braves manager Brian Snitker has attempted to remain patient with some of the younger pitchers asked to solidify a fractured rotation."