WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Washington Nationals, and their opponents, the Atlanta Braves, lined up for pregame introductions Tuesday, they stood near “OPENING WEEK” stencils in white paint beside the green-as-can-be grass along the baselines. Who could have known it would take nearly a full week into the 2021 regular season before the coronavirus-hit Nationals would play? And who could have imagined that the stadium announcer's enthusiastic shout to spectators — yes, 5,000 were permitted, socially distanced, after being banned last season — presenting “Your 2021 Washington Nationals!” would be rather misleading, because more than a third of what was supposed to be the 26-man roster was absent? The Nationals finally got started five days later than they were supposed to, delayed because of an outbreak in which four players tested positive for COVID-19 and seven others were told to quarantine after contact tracing deemed they potentially were exposed to the illness. “Obviously they want to... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Starting pitchers Jon Lester and Patrick Corbin, closer Brad Hand and four position players expected in the lineup — left fielder Kyle Schwarber, first baseman Josh Bell, second baseman Josh Harrison and catcher Yan Gomes — were put on the 10-day injured list by the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. Backup catcher Alex Avila and reserve infielder Jordy Mercer also went on the IL before Washington played its first game of the season at home against the Atlanta Braves. The Nationals' first four games on the schedule were postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak within the team. Four players tested positive for COVID-19, and an additional seven were placed under quarantine after contact tracing found that they might have been exposed to the illness. The Nationals have not publicly identified the 11 players involved. The team's announcement of those nine players on the IL did not specify why they are sidelined. A 10th player who was put on the injured list on Tuesday, reliever... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting Atlanta after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak. The Nats still have 11 players sidelined — four of whom tested positive for COVID-19. The Nationals haven’t announced who is in isolation because of test results or which additional seven players are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they could have been exposed to the illness. Asked whether it’s possible his Game 1 lineup for 2021 could feature as many as five starting position players that weren’t expected to be there on opening day, manager Dave Martinez replied: “It is possible. We’re going to make it work.” Washington’s active players practiced Monday — a group that included Game 1 starter Max Scherzer, outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles, and third baseman Starlin Castro. Among the key folks not present on the field while the media... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting the Atlanta Braves after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak. The Nats still have 11 players sidelined -- four of whom tested positive for COVID-19. The Nationals haven’t announced who is in isolation because of test results or which additional seven players are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they could have been exposed to the illness. Asked whether it’s possible his Game 1 lineup for 2021 could feature as many as five starting position players that weren’t expected to be there on opening day, manager Dave Martinez replied: “It is possible. We’re going to make it work.” Washington’s active players practiced Monday -- a group that included Game 1 starter Max Scherzer, outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles and third baseman Starlin Castro. Among the key folks not present on the field... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's rare for there to be an abundance of intrigue associated with an otherwise mundane workout the day before a baseball club opens its regular season. Run the bases. Field. Hit. Yawn. In the Washington Nationals' case, the “full-team workout” held at their stadium under a clear blue sky Monday afternoon was worth watching because it hardly involved the full team. A coronavirus outbreak has sidelined 11 players — four of whom tested positive for COVID-19 — and delayed Washington's first game that counts until Tuesday. “Just anxious to finally get our season going,” said Max Scherzer, slated to face the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. The Nationals haven't announced who is in isolation because of test results or which additional seven players are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they could have been exposed to the illness. Asked whether it's possible his Game 1 lineup for 2021 could feature as many as five starting position players that weren’t expected... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Avila finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract Wednesday with the Washington Nationals, who are expected to use him as the primary backup to starting catcher Yan Gomes. Avila, who turned 34 last week, was a free agent after playing in 2020 for the Minnesota Twins, batting .184 in 49 at-bats during the coronavirus-shortened season. His deal calls for a $500,000 signing bonus that is protected against a shortened season and a $1 million guaranteed salary. While he hasn't had any detailed discussions about his role with manager Dave Martinez or GM Mike Rizzo, Avila said: "Whenever Davey needs me in the lineup, I’ll be ready to go.” He has played 12 years in the majors for five clubs and has a .235 career batting average with a .348 on-base percentage, 104 homers and 388 RBIs. “I don't think I'm going to be hitting fourth for this team,” joked Avila, who has thrown out 14 of 32 runners trying to steal over the past two seasons. He has caught current Nationals starters... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Avila finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract Wednesday with the Washington Nationals, who are expected to use him as the primary backup to starting catcher Yan Gomes. Avila, who turned 34 last week, was a free agent after playing in 2020 for the Minnesota Twins, batting .184 in 49 at-bats during the coronavirus-shortened season. While he hasn't had any detailed discussions about his role with manager Dave Martinez or GM Mike Rizzo, Avila said: "Whenever Davey needs me in the lineup, I’ll be ready to go.” He has played 12 years in the majors for five clubs and has a .235 career batting average with a .348 on-base percentage, 104 homers and 388 RBIs. “I don't think I'm going to be hitting fourth for this team,” joked Avila, who has thrown out 14 of 32 runners trying to steal over the past two seasons. He has caught current Nationals starters Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin and Jon Lester in previous stops. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, was the first... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Avila finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract Wednesday with the Washington Nationals, who are expected to use him as the primary backup to starting catcher Yan Gomes. Avila, who turned 34 last week, was a free agent after playing in 2020 for the Minnesota Twins, batting .184 in 49 at-bats during the coronavirus-shortened season. He has played 12 years in the majors for five clubs and has a .235 career batting average with a .348 on-base percentage, 104 homers and 388 RBIs. Avila has thrown out 14 of 32 runners trying to steal over the past two seasons. His father, Al, is general manager of the Detroit Tigers. Alex Avila's addition is the latest in a flurry of moves by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo after the team tied for last place in the NL East. Washington has brought in lefty starter Jon Lester, lefty reliever Brad Hand, first baseman Josh Bell and left fielder Kyle Schwarber, and re-signed first baseman Ryan Zimmerman after he sat out 2020. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo’s top offseason priority is adding a middle-of-the-order hitter, likely a corner outfielder or first baseman — and by the sound of things, he won’t do that by trading for a certain past NL MVP currently with the Chicago Cubs. Rizzo laid to rest any such speculation pretty plainly during a video conference call with reporters Tuesday. “We haven’t had a serious conversation about Kris Bryant in probably two years. He was not a big guy on our radar, last year or this year,” Rizzo said when asked about the three-time All-Star. “He’s a great player, but at this point in time, with where we’re at and what we have in our farm system, and where we’re going, we think we can allocate our dollars and prospect capital in a better way.” Well, then. Both Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez spoke with the media for the first time since September — when Washington wrapped up the pandemic-truncated season at 26-34 and tied for last in the NL East, a year... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Harrison Bader tripled and homered to help the St. Louis Cardinals clinch a postseason berth on the final day of the regular season with a 5-2 win over Milwaukee, and the Brewers also earned a playoff spot Sunday via help on the West Coast moments later. St. Louis (30-28) will be the fifth seed in the NL and open a three-game wild-card series at San Diego on Wednesday. By winning, the Cardinals avoided having to travel to Detroit for two makeup games Monday. The Brewers (29-31) locked up the eighth seed and a third consecutive postseason berth after the Padres beat San Francisco 5-4 in a game that ended about 15 minutes later. The Giants finished with an identical record as the Brewers but lost out on a tiebreaker due to an inferior intradivision record. Milwaukee will face the top-seeded Dodgers in Los Angeles in a three-game series that also starts Wednesday. The Brewers haven’t had a winning record at any point this season. Milwaukee and Houston will be the first teams... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Yan Gomes was asked about the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals essentially playing out the string over the last four games of this season, the catcher was put off by the premise. “I don’t think we’re technically out of it yet,” Gomes said. Technically, at that moment, he was right. About four hours later, once Wednesday had turned into Thursday and a game involving other teams ended the wrong way for Washington’s tiny remaining hopes, the Nationals were officially done. For the second straight season, manager Dave Martinez’s club got off to a 19-31 start. This time, there were not enough games to dig out of that hole. A year after winning the franchise’s first championship thanks to a historic turnaround, the Nationals woke up Thursday in last place in the NL East with a 23-33 record and no mathematical chance of returning to the playoffs in a pandemic-shortened 2020. That extends a trend: No team has won the World Series in consecutive years since... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Slumping Jesse Winker hit a three-run homer — one of four off White Sox starter Jonathan Stiever — and the Cincinnati Reds extended their surge into playoff contention with a 7-1 win Friday night for their season-high sixth victory in a row. The Reds moved to .500 (26-26) for the first time since Aug. 3. Their winning streak has them in playoff position, in second place in the NL Central behind the Cubs. The AL Central-leading White Sox clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 with a win over the Twins on Thursday night. Their momentum hit a snag as Stiever (0-1) got hit hard in his first major league road appearance. The 23-year-old right-hander allowed Winker’s shot and solo homers by Joey Votto, Nick Castellanos and Tucker Barnhart. Tyler Mahle (2-2) got his first win since Aug. 28, allowing four hits and fanning eight in 5 2/3 innings. CARDINALS 6, PIRATES 5, 1st game PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kolten Wong hit the second leadoff home run of his career, Tyler O’Neill added... [More]

Rays first. Austin Meadows pops out to shallow left field to Trea Turner. Brandon Lowe flies out to deep left center field to Juan Soto. Randy Arozarena hit by pitch. Nate Lowe doubles to deep right field. Randy Arozarena scores. Manuel Margot strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 1, Nationals 0.Nationals sixth. Trea Turner flies out to deep right field to Manuel Margot. Juan Soto walks. Asdrubal Cabrera homers to right field. Juan Soto scores. Yan Gomes strikes out swinging. Carter Kieboom flies out to right center field to Kevin Kiermaier.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Rays 1.Rays ninth. Mike Brosseau pinch-hitting for Michael Perez. Mike Brosseau strikes out on a foul tip. Austin Meadows flies out to right center field to Michael A. Taylor. Brandon Lowe homers to right field. Yoshi Tsutsugo strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Rays 2.Nationals tenth. Luis Garcia homers to center field. Carter Kieboom scores. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Michael A. Taylor strikes out swinging. Jake Noll strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 4, Rays 2.

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to left field. Freddie Freeman pops out to left field to Trea Turner. Marcell Ozuna singles to center field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Travis d'Arnaud singles to right field. Marcell Ozuna to second. Dansby Swanson lines out to deep right field to Yadiel Hernandez. Marcell Ozuna to third. Austin Riley strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 1, Nationals 0.Braves fourth. Austin Riley pops out to Yan Gomes. Adam Duvall doubles to deep right field. Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging. Ozzie Albies singles to shallow center field. Adam Duvall scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 0.Nationals eighth. Adam Eaton pinch-hitting for Michael A. Taylor. Adam Eaton singles to right field. Yadiel Hernandez strikes out swinging. Brock Holt strikes out swinging. Trea Turner doubles to deep right field. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 1.

Nationals first. Adam Eaton doubles. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto doubles to deep right field. Trea Turner scores. Adam Eaton scores. Eric Thames singles to right field. Juan Soto scores. Brock Holt grounds out to shallow infield. Eric Thames out at second. Yan Gomes doubles to deep left field. Luis Garcia pops out to shortstop to Dansby Swanson.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Nationals third. Trea Turner doubles to left field. Juan Soto singles to left field. Trea Turner scores. Eric Thames strikes out swinging. Brock Holt grounds out to shallow infield, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Juan Soto to third. Yan Gomes singles to shallow center field. Juan Soto scores. Luis Garcia grounds out to shallow right field, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 5, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Adam Duvall strikes out swinging. Nick Markakis doubles to deep right field. Ozzie Albies walks. Ender Inciarte flies out to deep right field to... [More]

Nationals first. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Adam Eaton singles to deep left field. Trea Turner triples. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto doubles. Trea Turner scores. Asdrubal Cabrera triples to deep left center field. Juan Soto scores. Josh Harrison grounds out to shallow infield, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Yan Gomes flies out to left center field to Adam Duvall.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Nationals second. Michael A. Taylor doubles. Carter Kieboom lines out to deep center field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Michael A. Taylor to third. Victor Robles lines out to shallow infield to Freddie Freeman. Adam Eaton homers to center field. Michael A. Taylor scores. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto is intentionally walked. Asdrubal Cabrera walks. Juan Soto to second. Trea Turner to third. Josh Harrison reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Asdrubal Cabrera out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 4 left on. Nationals 5, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Ronald Acuna... [More]

Nationals second. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging. Brock Holt singles to center field. Yan Gomes pops out to shallow center field to Dansby Swanson. Eric Thames singles to deep right field. Brock Holt scores. Carter Kieboom grounds out to shallow infield to Freddie Freeman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Travis d'Arnaud called out on strikes. Austin Riley singles to shallow left field. Adam Duvall doubles. Austin Riley to third. Tyler Flowers doubles. Adam Duvall scores. Austin Riley scores. Adeiny Hechavarria grounds out to third base, Carter Kieboom to Eric Thames. Ronald Acuna Jr. is intentionally walked. Dansby Swanson singles to shortstop. Ronald Acuna Jr. to second. Tyler Flowers to third. Freddie Freeman flies out to left field to Brock Holt.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 1.Braves fifth. Marcell Ozuna homers to left field. Travis d'Arnaud grounds out to third base, Carter Kieboom to Eric Thames. Austin Riley... [More]

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to center field. Dansby Swanson grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Asdrubal Cabrera. Freddie Freeman singles to center field. Marcell Ozuna walks. Freddie Freeman to second. Nick Markakis lines out to left field to Josh Harrison. Austin Riley flies out to left field to Josh Harrison.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 1, Nationals 0.Braves third. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Dansby Swanson homers to center field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging. Marcell Ozuna singles to shallow right field. Nick Markakis lines out to deep left field to Josh Harrison. Austin Riley reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Marcell Ozuna out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 3, Nationals 0.Nationals fourth. Asdrubal Cabrera triples to deep right field. Yan Gomes out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Adam Duvall. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Josh Harrison doubles. Michael A. Taylor called out on strikes. Luis... [More]

Red sox first. Alex Verdugo lines out to shallow right field to Eric Thames. Rafael Devers walks. J.D. Martinez flies out to left center field to Juan Soto. Xander Bogaerts homers to left field. Rafael Devers scores. Kevin Pillar doubles to deep right field. Kevin Plawecki singles to left field. Kevin Pillar scores. Jackie Bradley Jr. grounds out to shallow infield, Austin Voth to Eric Thames.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox 3, Nationals 0.Red sox second. Bobby Dalbec strikes out swinging. Jose Peraza strikes out on a foul tip. Alex Verdugo doubles to left field. Rafael Devers homers to right field. Alex Verdugo scores. J.D. Martinez doubles to deep right field. Xander Bogaerts strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox 5, Nationals 0.Nationals third. Victor Robles singles to center field. Trea Turner singles to center field. Victor Robles to second. Juan Soto singles to right field. Trea Turner to third. Victor Robles scores. Asdrubal Cabrera out on a... [More]

Nationals second. Juan Soto homers to left field. Howie Kendrick lines out to right field to Bryce Harper. Yan Gomes singles to shallow left field. Luis Garcia grounds out to second base, Jean Segura to Rhys Hoskins. Yan Gomes to second. Eric Thames strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Phillies 0.Phillies third. Andrew McCutchen grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Eric Thames. Rhys Hoskins homers to center field. Bryce Harper lines out to center field to Victor Robles. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shallow infield, Patrick Corbin to Eric Thames.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Nationals 1.Nationals fourth. Asdrubal Cabrera walks. Juan Soto walks. Asdrubal Cabrera to second. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow center field. Juan Soto to second. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Yan Gomes strikes out swinging. Luis Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Howie Kendrick out at second. Juan Soto to third. Eric Thames flies out to left... [More]