Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Max Scherzer throws off mound; tests ankle; Juan Soto and Trea Turner extension talk + more...

Davey Martinez provided the following update on Max Scherzer on Tuesday, after the righty threw off a mound to test his left ankle after spraining it as he trained for the 2021 season.

“I talked to him today, and yeah, he threw about 10 pitches, very light. We just wanted to see him land on that foot,” Martinez explained.

“He said he felt good, we’ll see how he feels tomorrow morning. That was encouraging to watch him go out there, he said he feels good.”

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Soto & Turner; Turner & Soto:

Juan Soto's 'mind is on baseball' despite extension buzz around Nationals star - (Washington Times)
"Of everything that stands out about Juan Soto — the contact, power and plate vision that make the 22-year-old an MVP candidate — there’s one other attribute that teammate Trea Turner keys in on."

Turner's son has 'Incredibles'-inspired name - (MLB.com)
"Earlier this month, Turner announced the birth of Beckham Dash. He and his wife, Kristen, came up with the first name together."

'What a duo': Soto, Turner key to Nationals lineup, future - (Washington Times)
"Juan Soto and Trea Turner both will be key cogs in the Washington Nationals lineup this season, 20-something hitting stars who are coming off top-seven finishes in NL MVP voting."

A Trea Turner extension would give the Nationals a franchise cornerstone - (WaPost)
“Trea Turner can’t be a free agent until after the 2022 season. Juan Soto can’t be a free agent until two years after that.”

Could Soto, Turner sign with Nats long term? - (MLB.com)
"The recent eye-popping 14-year, $340 million contract for 22-year-old Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has sparked the questions..."

Trea Turner still hopes to spend ‘entire career’ with Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Washington has approached Turner about an extension before, to which Turner said he would consider signing 'if the deal’s right.'"

Turner, Soto grapple with question of long-term extensions - (MASN)
"The questions were inevitable. When a star homegrown player approaching free agency reports for spring training, he’s going to be asked about contract discussions..."

Other Nationals Stories:

Washington Nationals’ first full-squad workout feels a bit like spring - (WaPost)
It sounded like spring once the music turned off. A weed whacker hummed, turning a patch of grass into green carpet.

Scherzer throws off mound, full squad takes field for first time - (MASN)
"Scherzer was cleared to resume throwing off the bullpen mound. He wound up throwing 10 pitches, 'very light,' according to manager Davey Martinez."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

MLB rumors: Trea Turner, Juan Soto talk extensions; Scott Kazmir signs deal after five-year absence - (CBSSports.com)
"While Soto isn't on Tatis' level in terms of defensive value and base-running, he's still a 22-year-old with a career OPS+ of 151."

Washington Nationals hold first full squad workout since pandemic started - (WPBF)
"The Washington Nationals entire spring training set up at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach is a clear contrast to what is typically seen each year.

The worst expansion team name ideas in baseball history, Part 1 – (The Athletic)
"The team name 'Senators' was a nod to Clancy Senato, a railroad tycoon who invented the rosin bag in 1878."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies are ‘likely’ to have fans for home opener, city health commissioner says - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
The team is hoping to find out later this week if it will have fans in the stands on April 1. Bad news could be coming for the cardboard cutouts.

Mets' Taijuan Walker using analytics to become better pitcher - (NY Post)
"Taijuan Walker used his rehab from Tommy John surgery, over almost two entire seasons, to reevaluate his pitching identity."

Ng sings Rojas' praises at first workout - (MLB.com)
"Entering his seventh season with the organization, Miami's unofficial captain is coming off his best campaign. Like a fine wine, he seems to be getting better with age."

Braves announce Jake Lamb signing - (AJC.com)
"The Braves announced the signing of infielder Jake Lamb on Tuesday. Lamb signed a $1 million non-guaranteed, major-league deal for the 2021 season."