Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg struggles, Hernán Pérez doesn’t; Josh Harrison on return...

With Stephen Strasburg off, the offense struggling, and things just not looking good last night in St. Louis, Davey Martinez was asked in his post game press conference if he had any thoughts about the side effects of the vaccinations many of his players got Monday potentially affecting his club.

“I haven’t talked to the guys about how they felt after the game. They looked fine. They felt fine. Today was just not a good day all-around.

“We got to come back tomorrow and try to win the series.”

After splitting the first two with the Cardinals, the Nationals try to win the series in today’s finale in Busch Stadium, which gets underway at 1:15 PM. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Strasburg and Spy Cams:

Stephen Strasburg blames rough outing vs. Cardinals on execution, not injury - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals’ right-hander had a rocky performance against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits, five walks and three home runs with three strikeouts in four innings as Washington fell 14-3."

Stephen Strasburg chalks up rough outing against Cardinals to control issues - (WaPost)
“It was apparent by the second inning, in the middle of a matchup with Matt Carpenter, that something was off with Stephen Strasburg.”

Stephen Strasburg struggles in defeat to Cardinals - (MLB.com)
"Following the Cardinals’ four-run third, a TV camera showed Strasburg sitting in a chair in the tunnel behind the Nationals dugout, rubbing the area between his neck and right shoulder."

Questions about Strasburg abound in blowout loss (updated) - (MASN)
"The red flags appeared to be there right from the get-go. Stephen Strasburg’s first pitch of the night was a 91 mph fastball."

J-Hay:

Harrison glad to be active, glad to be an everyday player - (MASN)
"One of nine players on the Nationals roster who either tested positive for COVID-19 or was deemed a close contact to someone else who did, he had to miss the opening series against the Braves, then the first road series in Los Angeles."

Josh Harrison not focused on Nationals' slow start: ‘It’s a marathon not a sprint' - (NBC Sports Washington)
"It’s far from an insurmountable deficit. The Nationals still have 155 games left to play over the next five and a half months before the postseason begins."

Josh Harrison playing as Nats everyday second baseman - (MLB.com)
"Harrison was named Washington’s starting second baseman a few days before the season was set to begin, though COVID-19 protocols forced the 33-year-old to sit out the first week on the injured list."

Other Nats Stories:

Nationals monitor halt on Johnson & Johnson vaccine after players received shot - (NBC Sports Washington)
"According to the New York Times, nearly seven million people in the U.S. have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All six of the affected individuals were women between 18 and 48 years old."

Lester to throw simulated game, Harris not on mound yet - (MASN)
"The Nationals are being particularly cautious with Lester because he has now endured two unexpected breaks in his preparation for the season."

Nationals pitchers, faced with a possible universal DH, lay out goals at the plate - (WaPost)
“What do you want to accomplish up there? The Washington Nationals’ pitching staff had a variety of answers.”

NL EAST UPDATES:

Braves’ Cristian Pache leaves Tuesday’s game with groin tightness - (AJC.com)
"Braves center fielder Cristian Pache left Tuesday’s game against the Marlins with left-groin tightness, the team announced."

Rosenthal: Joe Musgrove's breakout was only a matter of time; will we see another player like Dodgers' Zach McKinstry? – (The Athletic)
"Rookie second baseman Jonathan India, a significant contributor to the Reds’ early offensive surge, was the centerpiece of the team’s trade proposal to the Marlins for catcher J.T. Realmuto during the 2018-19 offseason."

Phillies vs. Mets: Phils drop a wild first game of doubleheader - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The game was scheduled for seven innings so the eighth started with a runner on second base for both teams."

Carlos Beltran helping Francisco Lindor get comfortable in Mets uniform | Newsday
During his transition to New York, Francisco Lindor has been leaning on one of his longtime mentors, someone who knows a little something about playing for the Mets and with a big contract: Carlos Bel