Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Kyle Schwarber hits another HR; Max Scherzer likely not ready for Wednesday start + more

At the end of his post game Zoom call on Sunday, Kyle Schwarber, who homered twice in the Nationals’ 5-0 win over the Giants, implored fans in Washington, D.C. to stick with the team, in spite of the rough start they’ve gotten off to in the first 62 games of the 2021 season to that point.

“Remember, this is a good team, you guys stay with us now, alright, stay with us,” Schwarber said.

On Monday night, Schwarber drove in a run early and hit a go-ahead home run late to lift the team to a 3-2 win over the Pirates.

“He’s a gamer. He’s a winner,” Davey Martinez said after the win. “That’s what I know about Kyle since I’ve known him. He’s the type of guy that doesn’t give up, doesn’t quit.

“He has that type of mentality that all he wants to do is help us win every day.”

[ed. note - “Davey missed an opportunity to stick a ‘help us go 1-0 every day’ in there. It’s a rare off-brand comment.”]

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Win Over Pirates:

Schwarber goes deep again for Nats in 3-2 win over Pirates - (Washington Times)
"Kyle Schwarber homered again to snap a seventh-inning tie and drove in two runs for the Washington Nationals in their 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night."

Kyle Schwarber helps Nationals beat Pirates - (WaPost)
"Kyle Schwarber stayed hot with another home run, and the Nationals beat the Pirates, 3-2."

Kyle Schwarber homers, Nationals win vs. Pirates - (MLB.com)
"If there was a question as to whether Kyle Schwarber would homer for the fourth time in as many games, the Nationals' starting pitching should have been an indication."

Schwarber's power surge again propels Nats to win - (MASN)
"Schwarber’s seventh-inning home run off reliever Clay Holmes lifted the Nationals to a 3-2 victory over the Pirates and added to his growing legend as the unconventional leadoff man who just hits homers."

Scherzer Updates:

Max Scherzer will miss start because of groin injury - (WaPost)
"Max Scherzer tweaked his groin while facing the Giants on Friday, lasting just two batters."

Scherzer progressing, but won’t be ready to start Wednesday - (MASN)
“Scherzer, who had to come out of Friday night’s start against the Giants after only 12 pitches, does not know yet if he’ll need to go on the 10-day IL.”

Reports: Nationals’ Max Scherzer (groin) to miss start, IL stint possible - (NBC Sports Washington)
"After experiencing some discomfort during a bullpen session Monday, Nationals starter Max Scherzer told reporters he won’t be making his scheduled start Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates."

Max Scherzer on groin injury, sticky stuff in MLB - (MLB.com)
"Ten pitches into his bullpen session on Monday afternoon at Nationals Park, right-hander Max Scherzer experienced discomfort in his groin..."

Nationals prospects Cade Cavalli and Matt Cronin promoted to Class AA Harrisburg - (WaPost)
"Cavalli and Cronin have dominated with the High A Wilmington Blue Rocks this season."

Kyle Schwarber hopes to stay in DC, add more red seats to Nationals Park - (NBC Sports Washington)
“Schwarber is in Washington on a one-year, $10 million deal but the former Chicago Cub hopes that he can return next season and beyond.”

Kyle Schwarber atypical yet productive leadoff hitter - (Washington Times)
"When Kyle Schwarber thinks back on his first stint as a leadoff hitter at the major league level, he doesn’t mince his assessment."

Nationals Notebook: A dry run season - (WTOP)
"The team’s leadoff hitter is batting under .300, and while Trea Turner leads the team with 10 homers, he hasn’t gone deep since May 17. Juan Soto may be hitting .256 with 4 HR and 11 RBI this month, but he can’t carry the offense by himself."

Trea Turner is the Nationals’ best trade asset. He’s also a player to build around - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals could keep Turner at the deadline and extend him — something both sides have expressed interest in — to ensure Juan Soto will have a fellow All-Star next to him in the lineup for the next half-decade. They could also trade him at the deadline, acquiring a package of younger players to build for the future."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Bubba Harkins Made Sticky Stuff for MLB Pitchers for 15 Years. Now He's Speaking Out - (Sports Illustrated)
"He claims he’d done special orders for some of the biggest names in the game, including Nationals ace Max Scherzer and Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, then with the Astros."

Prospect Team of the Week June 14 2021 - (MLB.com)
"Speaking of dominant pitchers in the High-A East, Cavalli tied Jacob deGrom for the most strikeouts in a pro game this year when he fanned 15 in seven no-hit innings on Saturday."

Betting bullets - Online sportsbook launches from Nationals Park; retail shop to follow - (ESPN)
"The first online sports betting app tethered to a Major League Baseball venue launched last week at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., and will be followed later this year by the opening of a retail sportsbook on the premises."

What's new with the Washington Nationals, the Pirates' next opponent? - (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
"Old faces, new places — A trio of ex-Pirates are spending their first full campaigns in the nation’s capital this year."

MLB rumors: Yankees-Nationals Max Scherzer trade won’t be easy (or cheap) - (nj.com)
"There are some intriguing names on the trade market, but none more so than Max Scherzer. The Washington Nationals currently sit in last place in the National League East, which means they could be ready to sell off Scherzer, who will be a free agent following the season."

2021 MLB Mock Draft: One Month To Go - (FanGraphs)
"11. Washington Nationals - Pick: Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College"

Trade Deadline 2021: 10 starting pitchers who could be dealt - (MLB.com)
"So here are 10 names to track in the coming weeks. This is not an exhaustive list."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies call up lefty Bailey Falter ahead of Dodgers series - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The Phillies made a roster move ahead of Monday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium, calling up left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter from Triple A and optioning right-hander Enyel De Los Santos to Lehigh Valley."

Bartolo Colon is throwing complete games at 48 years old - (NY Post)
"Colon, now 48 years old, hurled a complete game on Sunday for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League on just 90 pitches. He surrendered two runs on five hits while notching seven strikeouts and walking one."

Players of the Week: Max Stassi, Starling Marte - (MLB.com)
"Another first-time Player of the Week Award winner, Marte is the first Marlins player to earn National League honors since Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna split the award after the final week of September 2017."

Braves’ Ronald Acuna second overall vote-getter in All-Star Game voting - (AJC.com)
"Ronald Acuna is the second overall leading vote-getter for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, as the league announced the first set of results in Phase 1 balloting on Monday."