Carter Kieboom, a first-round draft pick and the expected starting third baseman for the Washington Nationals, was sent to the minor leagues on Saturday. Drafted in 2016, Kieboom has struggled at the plate in limited opportunities in the majors, batting .181 in 44 games over two seasons with Washington. Kieboom and Starlin Castro had been getting time at third in preseason camp. Also optioned to Triple-A Rochester were INF Luis Garcia, LHP Sam Clay, RHP Kyle McGowin and OF Yadiel Hernández. Surprising additions to the team’s major league roster were INF Jordy Mercer and INF/OF Hernán Pérez. Mercer has a split contract: $1,000,000 while he’s in the majors and $150,000 in the minors, plus $50,000 each for 100, 150, 200, and 250 plate appearances, and $100,000 each for 300 and 400 plate appearances. Re-assigned to minor league camp were RHP Aaron Barrett, RHP Paolo Espino, RHP Javy Guerra, RHP Todd Peterson, C Welington Castillo, C Brandon Snyder, C Blake Swihart, INF Adrían Sanchez, OF Gerardo Parra and OF Carlos Tocci. The Nationals also released Yasmany Tomás and T.J. McFarland from their minor league contracts and first baseman Jake Noll was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals released relief pitcher Hunter Strickland on Saturday.Unconditionally releasing Strickland and David Hernandez were among a handful of moves made by the Nationals. They also optioned Jake Noll, Ben Braymer, Aaron Barrett and Kyle McGowin to Triple A and assigned Jacob Wilson, Brandon Snyder, Taylor Gushue, JB Shuck, Dakota Bacus, Bryan Bonnell and Wil Crowe to minor league camp.Strickland was a trade-deadline pickup for Washington last season. The 31-year-old appeared in 24 regular-season games but none in the playoffs as the Nationals won the World Series.Strickland before that was most known around Washington for plunking and brawling with ex-Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in 2018. Strickland spent his first five major league seasons with San Francisco. He was with Seattle before the trade to Washington.In 281 career games with the Giants, Mariners and Nationals, Strickland is 16-15 with a 3.16 ERA, 229 strikeouts, 87 walks and 21 saves.MLB announced Thursday the season will be delayed at least two weeks from its scheduled start on March 26 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Teams speculated the season might not start until sometime in May, necessitating a reduced schedule.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Oct. 71904 — Jack Chesbro got his 41st victory of the season as New York defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-2.1933 — Mel Ott's home run in the 10th inning to give the New York Giants for a 4-3 victory and the World Championship in five games over the Washington Senators.1935 — Detroit's Goose Goslin drove in Mickey Cochrane with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Tigers a 4-3 win and the World Championship in six games over the Chicago Cubs.1950 — Rookie pitcher Whitey Ford, with ninth-inning help from Allie Reynolds, beat Philadelphia 5-2 to give the Yankees a World Series sweep of the "Whiz Kids."1952 — Billy Martin's running catch on a high infield pop with the bases loaded in the seventh inning snuffed a Dodgers rally and the New York Yankees went on to win Game 7 of the World Series 4-2. It was the fourth consecutive world championship for the Yankees.1969 — The St. Louis Cardinals traded outfielder Curt Flood to the Philadelphia Phillies in a blockbuster deal involving... [More]

Oct. 61915 _ Philadelphia rookie Elmer Myers made a spectacular debut by striking out 12 Washington batters while allowing just two hits. Myers walked 5 in the 4-0 win his only game this year.1926 _ Babe Ruth hit three homers to lead the Yankees to a 10-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of the World Series.1948 _ In the opening game of the World Series, the Boston Braves beat Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians 1-0 with two hits and the benefit of a disputed call on a pickoff attempt in the eighth by Feller.1963 _ Frank Howard led Los Angeles to a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees with a home run and a single, giving the Dodgers a four-game sweep in the World Series.1966 _ Jim Palmer, 20, became the youngest player to pitch a World Series shutout as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0. Sandy Koufax was the loser, his last appearance in the major leagues. Dodger outfielder Willie Davis committed three errors on successive plays in the fifth inning.1978... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:STRAS TESTStephen Strasburg (16-5, 3.47 ERA) starts as Washington begins a four-game series at NL East-leading Atlanta. Strasburg is 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA in five career starts at SunTrust Park. Max Fried (15-4, 4.09) pitches for the Braves, who have won six straight.The Nationals trail Atlanta by seven games in the NL East. Washington leads the NL wild-card race by three games over the Cubs.DOING IT ALLMichael Lorenzen is making himself valuable wherever the Reds need him. In his latest performance, he did something no major leaguer has done since Babe Ruth in 1921.On Wednesday, Lorenzen earned the win as a pitcher, hit a home run and played the field as Cincinnati beat the Phillies 8-5. Lorenzen pitched two innings, connected for a two-run drive and finished up in center field.SOMETHING BREWIN'?Christian Yelich and the Brewers get a chance to move up in the NL wild-card race when they host the Cubs to begin a four-game series at Miller... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:STRAS TESTStephen Strasburg (16-5, 3.47 ERA) starts as Washington begins a four-game series at NL East-leading Atlanta. Strasburg is 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA in five career starts at SunTrust Park. Max Fried (15-4, 4.09) pitches for the Braves.The Nationals trail Atlanta by seven games in the NL East. Washington leads the NL wild-card race by three games over the Cubs.DOING IT ALLMichael Lorenzen is making himself valuable wherever the Reds need him. In his latest performance, he did something no major leaguer has done since Babe Ruth in 1921.On Wednesday, Lorenzen earned the win as a pitcher, hit a home run and played the field as Cincinnati beat the Phillies 8-5. Lorenzen pitched two innings, connected for a two-run drive and finished up in center field.SOMETHING BREWIN'?Christian Yelich and the Brewers get a chance to move up in the NL wild-card race when they host the Cubs to begin a four-game series at Miller Park. Milwaukee trails Chicago... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Newly minted Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez made a point of watching rehabbing reliever Aaron Barrett throw a bullpen session early in spring training in 2018 and was amazed at how well the right-hander was throwing.After all, Barrett already had missed two full seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015 and fracturing his arm in 2016."He told me, 'I'm going to pitch in the big leagues again,'" Martinez recalled. "I said, 'Keep working and I'll see you soon.'"Barrett got back to the majors Wednesday when Washington purchased his contract from Double-A Harrisburg. He received hugs from longtime teammates as they trickled into the clubhouse before a matinee against the New York Mets."I said it all along: When I make it back, it's going to be a hell of a comeback story," Barrett said. "I'm pretty overwhelmed that I'm here, to be honest with you. It's crazy."Barrett has not pitched in the majors since Aug. 5, 2015, and he thought there was a chance he... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Every team has a "next big thing" in the minors, waiting for the chance to dazzle in the majors, and Washington Nationals fans have been hearing about Victor Robles for years.He's an outfielder whose speed fuels his offense and defense. He's shown power, too. "Toolsy" is the way new Nationals second baseman Brian Dozier described him. "Explosive," was first baseman Ryan Zimmerman's adjective.Robles started in center field and went 0 for 3 in Washington's exhibition finale Monday, a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees at Nationals Park. That's also where he's expected to be on opening day, finally getting his turn to begin a season in the big leagues, moving into an outfield that lost Bryce Harper to free agency."That's what we work here for, to be an everyday player in the big leagues. I feel physically and mentally ready for that," Robles said in an interview through bullpen catcher Octavio Martinez, who serves as a team translator. "Absolutely, that's something you... [More]

RHP Aaron Barrett was signed by the Nationals to a minor league contract. Barrett made his big league debut with the Nationals in 2014 and also pitched for Washington in 2015. He did not pitch last year due to injuries.

RHP Aaron Barrett broke his right elbow while rehabbing in Viera, Fla., on Friday, director of player development Mark Scialabba confirmed on Sunday. Barrett will have surgery on Monday with Dr. James Andrews, according to Scialabba. Barrett had Tommy John surgery last year after pitching in 40 games out of the bullpen for the Nationals.

RHP Aaron Barrett (Tommy John surgery in September 2015) went on the 60-day disabled list April 2. He might miss the entire season.

Barrett (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Friday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Barrett attempted to avoid going under the knife and undergo different treatment options, but ultimately had the surgery. Given the usual timetable for Tommy John surgery, Barrett will likely be out until September of 2016 at the earliest and may not be ready to return until the 2017 season.

Barrett will undergo Tommy John Surgery after it didn't respond to treatments.

Barrett received multiple opinions on his elbow issue, but after different treatments failed, it appears surgery is now his only option. The date of the procedure hasn't been determined, but it will be at the hands of Dr. James Andrews and will likely hold him out through much of the 2016 season in addition to the rest of 2015.

Barrett will receive a third opinion on his elbow, and indicated that his elbow "isn't good" at this point, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

It's unclear exactly what's wrong with Barrett's elbow, but it has forced him to miss extended time, and more could be on the horizon. From his own diagnosis, it sounds as though he could be out awhile, but an update should be provided when a clear diagnosis is known.

Barrett's recent option was voided Sunday, as he was instead placed on the 15-day DL with a right elbow sprain.

Barrett was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, but instead of using that option, the team decided to place the reliever on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 6. It's unclear if Barrett will be demoted again once activated, but this move should at least buy the team some time to make a decision.

Barrett was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Barrett gave up three runs while recording one out in Wednesday's game, earning himself a demotion in the process. Blake Treinen was recalled to take his spot in the Nationals' bullpen.

Barrett (biceps) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Barrett will temporarily take the place of Jordan Zimmermann on the 25-man roster after he was placed on the paternity list Friday. However, the club will need to decide what to do when Zimmermann returns, which likely involves dropping somebody of the bullpen. Barrett will likely be safe from this, as he should return to a middle relief role.

Washington Nationals pitcher Aaron Barrett was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday after recovering from a biceps strain.

Washington Nationals pitcher Aaron Barrett was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday after recovering from a biceps strain. Barrett last pitched in the majors on June 11 and will rejoin the bullpen in a middle relief role.

Barrett (biceps) will make a rehab appearance at High-A Potomac on Monday, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.

The plan is for Barrett to throw Monday, take Tuesday off, and then throw on back-to-back days. If all goes well, he could be set for activation at the end of the week.

Barrett will begin a rehab assignment at High-A Potomac on Wednesday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

Barrett is working back from a strained right bicep, which sent him to the DL back on June 12. He remains without a firm timetable, but he shouldn't require more than a handful of rehab appearances.