When did Davey Martinez realize there was an issue with Juan Soto that was going to land the 22-year-old outfielder on the 10-Day IL? Soto was in the lineup for last night’s game at first, but then he was scratched and placed on the IL with a left shoulder strain.
How’d the situation play out? When did they know?
“Probably 45 minutes before the game,” Martinez said after the club beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 to even up the series in D.C.
“He was dealing with it the last few days. He complained of a tight triceps. This morning we figured we’d go get him an MRI, it came back showing that he had a slight strain in his left shoulder, and once again, we’re early, we’ve got some days off, we thought, hey, we’re not going to take any chances with him.
“We’re just going to try to get him right as quick as possible, and when he’s ready, he comes back.”
It’s going to be a long 10 days. Go read your links...
NATS BEAT:
Soto to 10-Day IL:
Juan Soto heads to 10-day injured list with shoulder strain - (Washington Times)
"The Washington Nationals face another significant injury hurdle. Juan Soto has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left shoulder, the team announced Tuesday afternoon."
Nationals’ Juan Soto placed on injured list with strained left shoulder - The Washington Post
The move means the Nationals will be without their best hitter for the near future.
Nationals 3, Cardinals 2
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) April 21, 2021
For one night, they didn't have to wonder if Juan Soto could have helped tilt a tight game in their favor: https://t.co/lfhlKdlPoB
Juan Soto hits IL with shoulder strain as Nationals’ injuries pile up - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The injury is only the latest in a series of grim health news for the Nationals."
Juan Soto placed on injured list with shoulder strain - (MLB.com)
"Soto adds to the already lengthy list of Nationals players on the IL, joining starters Jon Lester (COVID-19 protocols) and Stephen Strasburg (right shoulder inflammation) as well as relievers Luis Avilán (torn left UCL, to undergo Tommy John surgery), Will Harris (right hand inflammation) and Wander Suero (left oblique strain)."
Other Nats Stories:
Patrick Corbin gets ‘back to myself’ with bounce-back start vs. Cardinals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals’ left-hander needed a strong start against the St. Louis Cardinals after allowing 15 earned runs over just six and third innings between his first two outings."
Patrick Corbin shuts down Cardinals - (MLB.com)
"Patrick Corbin returned to form with a scoreless, six-inning start on Tuesday against the Cardinals in the Nationals’ 3-2 win."
A cool 6 shutout innings from #PattyIce ❄️#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/mYawQV95TF
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 21, 2021
Nats emerge victorious at end of eventful evening - (MASN)
"So imagine how encouraging it was to then see Patrick Corbin pull a complete 180 and turn in six spectacular innings of scoreless ball tonight against the Cardinals..."
Nationals' Victor Robles looks more like his 2019 self in center field - (Washington Times)
"'We challenge him all the time, you know,' Martinez said. 'He was so close in 2019 to becoming a Gold Glover. 2020, he didn’t look like that guy. Now, he’s starting to look like that guy that he was in 2019.'"
As he drops in lineup, Robles rediscovering old form in outfield - (MASN)
"Whatever moment you choose, chances are you’ve at some point in the last two weeks watched Victor Robles in the field and thought to yourself: He looks like his 2019 version again."
What do the Nationals look like without dominant starting pitching? They might not want to find out. - The Washington Post
Max Scherzer might have set impossible expectations for Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and the Nationals.
You down with OBP?@Yan_AGomes // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/o8xhWrBxP2
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 21, 2021
Nats promote Fuentes, still figuring out long-term pitching plan - (MASN)
"Fuentes is hardly a big-name addition to the staff. He currently ranks 22nd on the Nationals’ prospect list, according to MLBPipeline.com..."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Loss of Strasburg Is Just One of Nationals’ Rotation Problems - (FanGraphs)
"After the start of their season was delayed by a COVID-19 outbreak that sent nine players to the injured list, they’ve gone just 5-9, sliding into last place in the NL East and posting the league’s second-worst record and run differential (-22)."
Rosenthal: Shohei Ohtani's underrated base running; where the Nationals stand with Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer – (The Athletic)
"The last time I wrote about the possibility of the Nats trading Max Scherzer was in June 2019, when the team was still trying to recover from its 19-31 start."
EDITORIAL: FredNats is a dream come true - (fredericksburg.com)
"For local baseball fans, the dream has come true at last. On Tuesday, May 11, the Fredericksburg Nationals will play their first home game after opening their 120-game season on the road a week earlier."
Someone just got their Bell rung. @JBell_19 // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/9SraXJVkWf
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 21, 2021
NL EAST UPDATES:
What happened to the Phillies offense? - (PhillyVoice)
"However, the drop off in production from a season ago — when the Phils were among the most productive in the league — is something worth noting."
Escaping Mets has turned Steven Matz into a ‘guy on a mission’ - (NY Post)
"Steven Matz’s tenure with the Mets was hampered by inconsistency, but the Long Island lefty is off to a brilliant start with the Toronto Blue Jays."
Marlins' Jazz Chisholm could be next exciting star - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins' 23-year-old second baseman looks like a rising young star early in 2021. Chisholm's not just off to a hot start."
Leadoff: How former Braves are faring on new teams in 2021 - (AJC.com)
"Checking in on how five players from the 2020 Braves are faring with new teams so far this season..."