Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg throws bullpen; Juan Soto false positive?; bullpen talk...

Wil Crowe, 25, and the Washington Nationals’ 2nd Round pick in 2017, is currently ranked the second-best right-handed prospect in their system by MLB Pipeline, and on Saturday the pitcher got an opportunity to pitch in the nation’s capital, called up from the club’s Alternative Training Site in Fredericksburg, VA to pitch in the scrimmage they held as they try to keep everyone sharp during a four-day break.

Crowe was included on the team’s 60-Man Player Pool for the 2020 season, so there’s a possibility he ends up pitching in the majors at some point this season.

“He’s a guy that we can count on if somebody goes down in our starting rotation,” manager Davey Martinez told reporters on Saturday.

“We’ve just got to build him up. He’s got to build up his innings. Today he threw two innings, we’re going to try to get him up to five innings if possible. We’ve got to build him up.”

While they build Crowe up, go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Strasburg’s Bullpen:

Stephen Strasburg throws bullpen session, nears return -(NBC Sports Washington)
"Strasburg missed his first two starts of the season because of a nerve problem in his right hand caused by a wrist impingement. He required injections for the pain in his hand to subside."

Nationals becoming healthier as Stephen Strasburg throws bullpen - (Washington Times)
"Such are the challenges and the realities of the pandemic. The Nationals were one of six teams in limbo this weekend as the league adjusts to the virus."

Strasburg pain-free but unlikely to return before next weekend - (MASN)
"Though he’s throwing off a mound without pain in his right hand, Stephen Strasburg won’t be rejoining the Nationals rotation in time for this week’s series against the Mets."

Other Nats Stories:

Notes: Hudson has full trust from Nats - (MLB.com)
"Daniel Hudson had a frank conversation last year with Nationals manager Dave Martinez when he was acquired by Washington in late July."

Solid spring, summer have helped Bourque build confidence - (MASN)
"Bourque, 27, pitched well in spring training before the coronavirus shutdown and learned a lot from that rough appearance last May against the Marlins."

Nationals Manager Dave Martinez speaks out amid MLB's coronavirus crisis - (WaPost)
“He rarely offers unfiltered thoughts. Resisting is part of the job.”

Juan Soto believes he received a false positive result. He wants people to know that. - (WaPost)
“First, Soto flipped his bat like a pinwheel. Next, he pointed at the bench, shouted, “It’s over!’”

Tanner Rainey zips from unknown to crucial Nationals bullpen piece - (NBC Sports Washington)
"When the news came at the Winter Meetings in 2018, the first reaction for most was a simple question: Who is Tanner Rainey?"

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Dave Nichols: Mariners pandemic opener has different feel, but still baseball - (SWX Right Now)
"When my editors asked if I wanted to drive over to Seattle to cover the Mariners’ home-opening series this weekend, I honestly had mixed emotions. Of course, I jumped at the chance. But not without reservation."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Jake Arrieta ready to face Yankees on 357 days rest — sort of - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Eight days shy of a year after his last big-league start, Jake Arrieta gets the ball for the Phillies in Yankee Stadium on Monday night."

Mets' dysfunction made Yoenis Cespedes drama much worse - (NY Post)
"Shortly after Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Braves began, they released a statement: 'As of game time, Yoenis Céspedes has not reported to the ballpark today. He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence. Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.'"

Year after deal, Melancon a boon for Braves - (MLB.com)
"Braves closer Mark Melancon provided some funny insight after notching his first two saves against the Rays at Truist Park this week."