Nationals News: The Latest from the first day of Spring Training
By Pablo Roa
Good morning DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Things are starting to heat up for the Washington Nationals as Spring Training is officially underway. If you missed anything from the first day of camp yesterday, get caught up with some great Nationals articles from around the web below!
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson fills us in on all the highlights from yesterday, when the team’s pitchers and catchers, along with several position players, reported to Viera, Fla. for Spring Training. In the article, Ladson talks to several key players about their thoughts on the team’s busy offseason, their health and how they feel heading into the 2015 season.
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Also in today’s Daily, Ladson takes a look at Doug Fister, who is entering his final year before free agency. Fister is one of several key Nationals players who are entering their final year under contract this season and who could leave the team next winter if the team does not give them a contract extension.
Fister is coming off a phenomenal first season with the Nationals and will surely demand a hefty amount of money if he hits free agency next offseason. Despite his impending free agency, Ladson discusses how Fister is focused solely on helping the Nationals win in 2015 and not his contract situation. One can only hope that players such as Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmerman, who are also entering the final year of their contracts, are heading into Spring Training with the same mindset.
Yesterday was just the first day of Spring Training and things are certain to heat up in the coming days and weeks. As always, stay tuned to DoD for the latest Nationals Spring Training coverage.
Pitchers, catchers report to Nats camp, get right to work
VIERA, Fla. — Nationals pitchers and catchers reported to Space Coast Stadium on Thursday morning ready to work. There was right-hander Stephen Strasburg throwing on flat ground. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez was working out in the weight room. Doug Fister, the team’s wins leader last season, also made an appearance.
“We have a lot of work to do, but I’m with a great group of guys. That’s first and foremost,” Fister said.
Fister and newcomer Max Scherzer are teammates for the first time since 2013 when they were with the Tigers. How does Fister feel about having Scherzer as a teammate again? Read full article here.
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- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
Fister’s focus on Nationals, not pending free agency
VIERA, Fla. — Right-hander Doug Fister is entering his second year with the Nationals, and it sounds like he can’t wait for the season to get started. It helps that Fister will be reunited with good friend Max Scherzer, who signed a seven-year, $210 million contract last month.
The right-handers had been teammates for two-plus seasons with the Tigers and helped Detroit reach the World Series in 2012.
“[Having Scherzer] is going to be a huge thing for us. It’s an honor to have him back. It’s going to be a great addition for us,” said Fister, who led the Nationals in victories with 16 last year. “He is an incredible guy. … He has a wealth of knowledge, has the ability to execute and go out there and play ball. He is a guy that goes out there and battles for you. That’s what you want as a teammate.” Read full article here.
Next: Nationals Player Profile: Scott McGregor