Wire Taps: Washington Nationals walk off on St. Louis Cardinals; Max Scherzer makes 2021 debut + more...

How do you celebrate a Grapefruit League, walk-off win under COVID protocols, when the opposing team gives you a win on a throwing error by a catcher, on a two-out stolen base attempt with runners on first and third?

“I scratched my head and I head to my office and I come in and talk to you guys. Tomorrow comes really early, but it’s good to get a victory. I’m proud of the boys battling, and here we got we’ve got to do it again tomorrow morning.”

Go read your links, there’s more baseball (to listen to) soon...

NATS BEAT:

Scherzer’s start:

Max Scherzer makes Spring Training 2021 debut - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals ace was slated for 30-35 pitches in two innings in his first outing. He ended up tossing 38 to eight batters across 1 2/3 frames."

Max Scherzer feels healthy in first spring training appearance - (WaPost)
“Is it really spring here before Max Scherzer climbs the mound, rocks into his windup and, after unleashing a pitch, grunts into a quiet Florida evening?”

Ankle sprain behind him, Scherzer gets back to work - (MASN)
"Anyone who has ever watched Scherzer pitch probably can’t imagine the three-time Cy Young Award winner not pitching with intensity."

Other Nats Links:

Robles walking, Zimmerman homering, Scherzer starts tonight - (MASN)
"It’s hardly time to declare the Robles leadoff experiment a success, but he’s off to an encouraging start."

Alex Avila hits first Spring Training homer for Nationals - (MLB.com)
"Left-hander Brad Hand became the first closer candidate to pitch this spring when he made his Nationals debut in the third inning Friday."

Braymer learning from experience and veterans in camp - (MASN)
"Now in major league spring training for the first time, Braymer is taking that experience from last year to help him grow as the Nationals begin to stretch him out as a starter..."

Nats on Spring Training process - (MLB.com)
"Cade Cavalli and Jackson Rutledge share their Spring Training experiences, while Dave Martinez comments on his team's young pitchers."

Ryan Zimmerman on how the Nationals won a World Series title and the Rays haven’t - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals faced the Houston Astros in that Fall Classic. The Astros, not yet vilified for the cheating scandal that helped it win a title in 2017, were heralded as one of the finest examples of how a sabermetric approach could translate to on-field success."

Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell, spring training - (wusa9.com)
"This offseason the Washington Nationals traded for Josh Bell, adding a big bat to the lineup. He is set to take most of the reps at first base this season."

'It's exciting': New Nationals slugger looking forward to at-bats behind Juan Soto - (WJLA)
"After a disappointing 2020 season, Bell is hopeful for a bounce-back in Washington."

Spring Training 2021: Nats bullpen and how Martinez is handling it - (WTOP)
"Manager Davey Martinez likes what he has to work with in 2021."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Trea Turner of the Washington Nationals Has Speed to Spare - (The New York Times)
“To illustrate a point about baseball’s most overlooked superstar, Kevin Long reached for statistics no player has bundled in more than a century.”

Gammons: Baseball's rising Latino stars could usher in an exciting future – (The Athletic)
"Carlos Correa won a ring at 24 … and the day before the Washington Nationals finished off the 2019 World Series, Juan Soto turned 20 and batted cleanup."

Are MLB teams allowing fans at games in 2021? Where every team stands - (USA Today)
"Washington Nationals: The District of Columbia has denied, for now, the club's request to host fans at limited capacity at Nationals Park."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Where Braves roster competitions stand in early March - (AJC.com)
"The Braves entered spring training mostly set, boasting one of the best rosters in the majors."

J.T. Realmuto has cast removed from injured thumb - (MLB.com)
"J.T. Realmuto took another step in the recovery from his fractured right thumb."

Spotlight on Dellin Betances, Jeurys Familia with Seth Lugo out - (New York Daily News)
"Ah yes, it’s that time of year again. Relief pitchers are facing other uniforms for the first time and fans are freaking out about how lousy the Mets bullpen will be this season."

Shawn Morimando makes comeback with Marlins - (MLB.com)
"In the midst of a global pandemic, Shawn Morimando found himself aboard a 16-hour flight with the intention of pulling off an improbable comeback."