Wire Taps: Washington Nationals win third straight; GM Mike Rizzo talks; Nats don’t expect Starlin Castro to return...

Alcides Escobar was 18 for 57 (for a .316 AVG) with three doubles, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs, three walks, two HBPs, and 10 runs scored over 13 games played after he was acquired from the Kansas City Royals, with hits in 10 of the 13 games, but he was 0 for 3 in last night’s game before he was hit on the right wrist by a pitch that knocked him out of the matchup. It would have been a serious blow if the infielder was injured with all of the stuff that the club is dealing with right now, but according to his manager, he seems to have had some good luck.

“He’s doing fine,” Davey Martinez told reporters after the game. “He got the X-rays back, they were negative, he’s got a contusion on his right wrist, so he’s going to be day-to-day, but we dodged a [redacted] on that one, because it got him pretty good.”

But the manager said he was really worried for a while after the HBP.

“I was really worried,” Martinez said. “That thing got a golf [ball]-sized lump on his wrist there, so but it’s just all, just muscle.”

NATS BEAT:

Rizzo Talks:

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo says he does not expect Starlin Castro to rejoin team - (WaPost)
"Infielder Starlin Castro is on administrative leave as Major League Baseball investigates a domestic violence allegation."

Reports: GM Mike Rizzo doesn’t expect Starlin Castro back with Nationals in 2021 - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals don’t expect third baseman Starlin Castro to return to the ballclub this season after Major League Baseball placed him on administrative leave..."

Reports: Nationals preparing to either buy or sell at trade deadline - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Though noting that a deal involving Scherzer would be unlikely, Rizzo didn’t rule out the possibility that the Nationals trade him with his contract expiring this winter."

Mike Rizzo: Starlin Castro not expected back this season - (Washington Times)
"Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo does not expect infielder Starlin Castro to return to the team this season after he was placed on administrative leave Friday following an accusation of domestic violence."

Rizzo: Nationals don't plan for Castro to return to team - (MASN)
"'We do pride ourselves - you’ve heard me say it a million times - that you read about our guys in the sports section and not the other sections,' Rizzo said. 'And this time we failed.'"

Other Nats Links:

Nationals survive a bullpen hiccup to beat Marlins for their third straight win - (WaPost)
"Paolo Espino delivered five scoreless innings before Austin Voth struggled in the sixth. The offense answered, however, and then the bullpen locked down the Marlins the rest of the way."

Nationals defeat Marlins with Trade Deadline decisions approaching - (MLB.com)
"'Trade Deadline time is a decision-making time here,' general manager Mike Rizzo said on Tuesday afternoon before the Nationals’ 6-3 win against the Marlins."

Big names rise to occasion, rally Nats to victory - (MASN)
"If they’re going to make their move over the next week and a half and convince their general manager he should buy at the trade deadline, the Nationals are going to have to win games on the shoulders of their stars."

Tres Barrera shows potential during stint with Washington Nationals - (WaPost)
"Barrera has shown a flash of potential as a replacement catcher for the Nationals."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies place Bailey Falter, JD Hammer on COVID injured list - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The Phillies had to scramble for a couple of extra players Tuesday night after relievers Bailey Falter and JD Hammer were placed on the COVID injured list less than an hour before the team's game against the Yankees in New York."

Michael Conforto's red-hot bat a welcome addition to Mets - (NY Post)
"The Mets didn’t receive much production from Michael Conforto throughout the first half this season, due to injury and a lack of productivity."

Marlins to use several players in Jazz Chisholm's absence - (MLB.com)
"With Jazz Chisholm Jr. sidelined, the Marlins will mix and match three players -- Isan Díaz, Joe Panik and Jon Berti -- at second and third base until Brian Anderson is activated from the injured list."

Braves adjust rotation for coming stretch - (AJC.com)
"The Braves made multiple adjustments to their rotation before beginning a stretch of 12 games in 10 days Tuesday, a run that includes a pivotal road trip in the National League East."