The Former Nationals Watch (2023)

[imref]

Harper back Tuesday

[welch]

The swing we know: Daniel Murphy homers for the Long Island Ducks.

https://twitter.com/LIDucks/status/1652839244245655553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Escreen-name%3Aliducks%7Ctwcon%5Es1

[imref]

Proving left handed pitchers can find work forever, Sam Clay has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers.

[Slateman]

https://twitter.com/jeffpassan/status/1653123021744357376?s=46

Only 159 days after Tommy John surgery, two-time MVP Bryce Harper has been cleared to play by the Philadelphia Phillies, sources tell ESPN. A remarkable recovery, shattering expectations he’d return in July. He's expected to be in the lineup starting at designated hitter Tuesday.

I feel like Harper is the rare superstar who got the contract and it simply drove him to prove himself more

[Natsinpwc]

https://twitter.com/jeffpassan/status/1653123021744357376?s=46
I feel like Harper is the rare superstar who got the contract and it simply drove him to prove himself more

He seems to have a strong work ethic.  And also a fast healer. That year he hurt his knee on the slippery first base and came back was impressive also. The danger with him is coming back too soon. No minor league rehab is interesting.

[Natsinpwc]

Think I said he would be back by end of May or June. Wonder if I can find that.

[Slateman]

He seems to have a strong work ethic.  And also a fast healer. That year he hurt his knee on the slippery first base and came back was impressive also. The danger with him is coming back too soon. No minor league rehab is interesting.

Man, that 2017 season .... he was on an MVP pace before he got hurt.

Game should have never been played. Should have been called due to rain.

[Five Banners]

Man, that 2017 season .... he was on an MVP pace before he got hurt.

Game should have never been played. Should have been called due to rain.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/08/13/injured-bryce-harper-really-upset-rainy-conditions-saturday/563463001/

After a rainout on Friday and a 3-hour rain delay Saturday, the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants began the first game of their series shortly after 10 p.m. ET on Saturday. With the Giants not scheduled to return to Washington this season, Major League Baseball controlled the game times and starts for the three games at Nationals Park.

[Slateman]

It was really similar to how Eaton tore his knee up

[imref]

Max got lit up tonight, 3.1 IP, 6ER on 8H, 1BB, 3Ks. ERA up to 5.56.

[nfotiu]

I have a pretty strong suspicion that Max's ebbs and flows in recent years have a lot to do with his ability to bend the sticky stuff rules.  There are other factors too, like how much he's taxing his crickety 38 yo body, but when he's on the radar for the sticky stuff, he's been quite pedestrian.

[Five Banners]

I have a pretty strong suspicion that Max's ebbs and flows in recent years have a lot to do with his ability to bend the sticky stuff rules.  There are other factors too, like how much he's taxing his crickety 38 yo body, but when he's on the radar for the sticky stuff, he's been quite pedestrian.

It would be nice if they could’ve rolled out the ball that had more tackiness to it by now. Max sometimes seems to do the flop sweat thing, and it would be good for some common ground to be had.

[Slateman]

I have a pretty strong suspicion that Max's ebbs and flows in recent years have a lot to do with his ability to bend the sticky stuff rules.  There are other factors too, like how much he's taxing his crickety 38 yo body, but when he's on the radar for the sticky stuff, he's been quite pedestrian.

He had a 2.65 ERA in 2021 after MLB started enforcing the rule hard. He was fine last year too.

This is much more about a couple rough starts early on and being 38 years old.  But since MLB started caring about sticky stuff, he's posted a 2.70 ERA over 270 innings.

[Slateman]

Dodgers calling up Wander Suero

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Dodgers calling up Wander Suero

what was the pitch that had awesome rpm?

[dracnal]

Dodgers calling up Wander Suero

I wonder if they're going with the Dave Martinez method of flip a coin any time you go to the bullpen, 7th inning or later, where one side is labelled, 'And for some reason, Wander Suero?' Can't remember who posted that flowchart - might have been Elvir? But I still crack up laughing thinking about it

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Our old friend Tres Barrera is back in majors with Cards as part of an eye-opening shuffle. Cards are moving Willson Contreras off of catcher to OF/DH.  Knizner will be the primary catcher.

They may be pinning some of their pitching problems on Contreras, but this contributes to more OF overload.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/05/cardinals-to-shift-willson-contreras-off-catcher.html

[RobDibblesGhost]

Scherzer scratched for tonight due to neck spasms.

[Senatorswin]

Scherzer scratched for tonight due to neck spasms.

At least when he goes in the HOF he'll go in as a Washington National.

[Natsinpwc]

Max got the big contract and now does not want to pitch through the discomfort. LOL.

[Slateman]

Max got the big contract and now does not want to pitch through the discomfort. LOL.

[Natsinpwc]

Rendon average up to almost .300 and the OPS at .775.

[Slateman]

Rendon average up to almost .300 and the OPS at .775.

.354 slugging. He would fit right in here in DC

[welch]

The Times notices Daniel Murphy's comeback.

"Daniel Murphy looked out over the grass at Fairfield Properties Ballpark, where the Long Island Ducks were practicing under cloudy skies. “Baseball is a beautiful game,” he said, “and it makes people do peculiar things.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/sports/baseball/daniel-murphy-long-island-ducks.html

[Slateman]

https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/1657582715724505091

Bryce Harper’s 1st game back: 0 for 4, 3 strikeouts.

Since then:

He’s gone to the plate 37 times.
He’s reached base 18 times.
He’s hitting .406.
He had Tommy John surgery 5 months and  20 days ago.
This should not be possible.