Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Patrick Corbin rocked in series opener with Arizona; former Nats in news + more...

Stephen Strasburg is struggling. Patrick Corbin can’t pinpoint what’s wrong. And with last night’s loss, Washington’s Nationals are now 3-7 on the year, and their combined ERA as a team this season (5.16) is the third-worst in the majors. So, yeah, they need to figure it out sooner than later.

“As you guys know, our starting pitching has been the backbone here, so we’ve got to get these guys right,” Davey Martinez told reporters after Corbin imploded in his second start this season.

Martinez isn’t thinking about changes in the rotation right now, but he’s determined to find a fix for what’s ailing Strasburg and Corbin early this season.

“Yeah, for me as long as these guys are healthy, these are two guys that we lean on and we count on, and i think it’s just a matter of time. Like I said, we’ve been slowed by a lot of different things, and one is Strasburg missed a lot of time, so he’s got to come back and Corbin started out on the COVID-IL, so we got to get him back. But I truly believe that these guys will get back to their form here shortly and we’ll get them rolling again.”

Go roll your bones, alone, go moan, go groan, go groan alone. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals’ Big Three starting pitchers look shaky to start the season - The Washington Post
Washington built its roster, and payroll, around starting pitching, which makes any cracks in that foundation a concern.

Another ragged start by Corbin leaves Nats in a lurch (updated) - (MASN)
"Corbin showed neither command (only 35 of 63 pitches for strikes) nor velocity (his fastball averaged 90.4 mph) for the second straight time to begin the season..."

Patrick Corbin struggles against Diamondbacks - (MLB.com)
"The lefty’s pitching line told the story of a difficult start: six hits, three homers, 10 runs (nine earned), four walks, two hit batters and one strikeout in just two innings."

Patrick Corbin has nothing working and the Diamondbacks make him pay - (WaPost)
“Pick a stat to describe how Thursday night went for Patrick Corbin...”

Andrew Young's slam off Patrick Corbin helps D'backs top booed Nationals 11-6 - (Washington Times)
"An announced crowd of 6,666 booed as Washington dropped to 3-7. The Nationals, who dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak earlier this month, have yet to win consecutive games."

Nats survived roller coaster to begin season, now can settle in - (MASN)
"Given all they’ve been through already during a roller coaster couple of weeks to begin the season, 3-6 hardly feels like a disaster."

FORMER NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Former National Adam Eaton sparks bench-clearing incident against Indians - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Former Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton has never been one to shy away from a confrontation on the baseball field."

Cabrera excited to "come back home" to D.C. with D-backs - (MASN)
"When Asdrúbal Cabrera was picked up by the Nationals in early August 2019, he figured he’d finish out the season in D.C. and then probably call it a career."

Asdrúbal Cabrera returns to Washington - (MLB.com)
"'I’m just going to have fun here and see what’s going to happen,' Cabrera recounted telling his family during a videoconference on Thursday."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Ronald Acuna Jr.'s amazing start could mean he's ready to take his game to another level - (ESPN)
"Acuña's numbers through 13 games are preposterous: .442/.492/1.000, seven home runs, 14 extra-base hits, 14 RBIs, 17 runs, 52 total bases, three stolen bases and more than a few bat flips."

MLB trade rumors: Phillies potential targets in center field - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"It took all of two weeks for the Phillies to bottom out in center field."

Mets showing some early positive signs in stop-and-start season - (NY Post)
"At least the Mets managed to play three straight games without interruption this week, before another rainout Thursday ended the streak."

Slugging Jazz Chisholm is proving the Marlins right - (Fish Stripes)
"In the early going, the 23-year-old is showing why he was so highly regarded as a prospect."