Wire Taps: Washington Nationals still believe in Carter Kieboom; Banana and mayo sandwiches up in Rochester + more...

Your daily Max Scherzer ankle update via Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez on Wednesday afternoon:

“Max threw off the mound. He was about 80-85%, he threw 40 pitches. No complaints, no issues, we’ll see how he feels tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

And the next step for the Nats’ starter, who, if you didn’t know, sprained his left ankle while working out to get ready for Spring Training:

“We’re going to see how he feels tomorrow, and then we’ll progress from there, but like I said, he came off the mound and he felt fine.

“Ankle didn’t bother him at all. We’ll see how he feels and then we’ll go from there. But we definitely got to get him another bullpen in for sure, and then we’ll go from there.”

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Turner and Soto, Turner and Soto Day 2:

Juan Soto may be an emerging star but he still feels like the ‘same rookie’ - (NBC Sports Washington)
"For Juan Soto, the baseball field is an escape. On the diamond, he forgets about the questions surrounding his contract. He forgets about the coronavirus pandemic and the protocols players must follow."

How will the Turner-Soto Era of Nationals baseball be defined? - (MASN)
"The Frank Robinson Era. The Ryan Zimmerman Era. The Adam Dunn Era. The Stephen Strasburg-Jordan Zimmermann Era. The Bryce Harper-Jayson Werth Era. The Max Scherzer-Strasburg-Anthony Rendon Championship Club. And now, the Trea Turner-Juan Soto Era."

A Trea Turner extension would give the Nationals a franchise cornerstone - (WaPost)
“The Mets might build around Francisco Lindor. Will the Nats make Trea Turner — and Juan Soto — their building blocks?”

Could Soto, Turner sign with Nats long term? - (MLB.com)
"The long-term future of Juan Soto and Trea Turner in Washington, D.C., is a hot topic that has come up many times -- and will continue to ..."

Carter Kieboom still confident:

Nationals' Carter Kieboom is confident he can keep third base job - (WaPost)
“The conversation was simple in that, as Carter Kieboom tells it, there was no conversation at all.”

Carter Kieboom on second season - (MLB.com)
"Carter Kieboom anticipates his sophomore season and talks about taking advantage of the opportunity to be a starter."

Other Stuff:

Notes: Robles, Scherzer, bullpen - (MLB.com)
"Last year, the defensive-savvy Victor Robles gained 15 pounds of muscle and his agility and speed were impacted."

Notes on Scherzer, Jeffress, live BP and exhibition games - (MASN)
"On the second day of full-squad workouts, the only two pitchers who had yet to participate (Javy Guerra and Jeremy Jeffress) were cleared to join their teammates."

From the Community: An interview with Linda Amarante, Nationals Youth Baseball Academy 2020 Co-Mentor of the Year | by Nationals Communications - (Curly W Live)
"In today’s blog, we feature an interview with Linda Amarante, the 2020 Nationals Youth Baseball Academy (Academy) co-Mentor of the Year."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Breaking down NL East outfields for '21 - (MLB.com)
"Nationals - The known: The Nationals locked in their starting outfield with Juan Soto, Victor Robles and Kyle Schwarber."

Washington Nationals 2021: Scouting, Projected Lineup, Season Prediction - (Athlon Sports)
"Like so many defending World Series champions before them, the 2020 Nationals found tough sledding in the Year After."

Former Park Vista star Trea Turner happy for spring training at home with new baby boy - (WPEC)
"Lake Worth native, and former Park Vista High School star, Trea Turner is extra happy that spring training is happening in his hometown."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Could J.T. Realmuto become the greatest catcher in Phillies history? - (The Good Phight)
"J.T. Realmuto is the best catcher in baseball right now. What would it take for him to become the best catcher the Phillies have ever had?"

Taijuan Walker switches number due to Mr. Met - (NY Post)
"Taijuan Walker is taking a back seat on his new team — to Mr. Met."

Marlins Park health, safety measures for '21 - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins on Wednesday announced new health and safety measures for the 2021 regular season and Marlins Park events, while information regarding the sale of single-game tickets will be announced in the near future."

Atlanta Takes Another Chance on a Small-Sample Breakout - (Fangraphs)
"Atlanta has no shortage of young starting pitchers who could potentially make an impact in 2021. They also brought in Charlie Morton as a free agent to provide high-quality innings atop their rotation."