Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman on new role; Sean Doolittle on returning to old home + more Nats news...

It stands to reason that at some point in the next three days, Reds’ reliever Sean Doolittle is going to be called upon to try to get Juan Soto out in a lefty-vs-lefty matchup late in one of the games in the upcoming three-game series Nationals Park.

The former Nats’ reliever, who signed in Cincy this winter after three-plus seasons in D.C., talked to reporters from Washington and Cincinnati this weekend about returning to his former home, and he was asked if he’s looked ahead to facing the 22-year-old slugger who debuted in Doolittle’s first full season with the Nationals in 2018.

“I’m not sure if it’s worth losing any sleep over how to get Juan Soto out,” Doolittle said.

“He might be that good that it’s like, you have a game plan going into that at-bat, but he’s that good. I haven’t thought that much about it, I’m not going to think about it right now because we’ve got the play the Brewers today. We’ve got an off-day tomorrow, so I’ll think about it tomorrow for real. I’ve been keeping an eye on him for sure so far this year.”

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

ZIM BEAT:

Productive as ever, Zimmerman embraces part-time role - (MASN)
"Ryan Zimmerman knows what you’re thinking. He knows you want him to play more than he is."

Ryan Zimmerman explains Nationals bench players’ ‘S.O.B’ shirts - (NBC Sports Washington)
“It’s no easy task, and as the five have spent time together preparing for when their name is called in a potentially big moment, they decided it was time to commemorate their roles on the team.”

DOO BEAT:

Sean Doolittle reflects on 19-31 run as he returns to Nats Park two years later - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Even though Doolittle is no longer with the Nationals, that 19-31 team is still a topic of discussion, and not just in Washington."

Sean Doolittle returns to Nationals Park as a Cincinnati Red - (WaPost)
"Now with the Cincinnati Reds, the lefty reliever who played a key role in Washington's world championship will face a former team for the first time."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

That Was The Week That Was: May 18-23 - (Mayflies & Big Flies)
"With starters Mario Sanchez, Sterling Sharp, and Carson Teel leading the way, the Senators’ rotation is doing a good job throwing strikes and pitching to contact."

Max Scherzer, surging Nationals start series with Reds - (KRQE News 13)
"The Washington Nationals are looking to push their way out of the cellar in a tightly packed National League East as they prepare to host the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game series starting Tuesday night."

Parker's potential intrigues FredNats - (fredericksburg.com)
"When it comes to Mitchell Parker, Fredericksburg Nationals pitching coach Pat Rice is torn."

NL EAST UPDATES:

The Phillies defense is really, really bad - (PhillyVoice)
"We'll get into the numbers in just a bit, but before the Phillies' series began with the Red Sox this past weekend, Dave Drombrowski set the tone."

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly on series win over Mets - (Miami Herald)
"Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly speaks to the media about Cody Poteet's pitching and the win over the Mets during a press conference..."

Mets' Jordan Yamamoto calls out Twitter fans for harassing wife - (NY Post)
"Jordan Yamamoto called out Mets fans on Twitter for harassing his wife, Madison, after his shoddy outing on Sunday."

Braves attendance topped 117,000 for past three games - (AJC.com)
"The Braves put up big numbers at the gate, as well as on the scoreboard, over the weekend."