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Washington Nationals News: Dusty Baker discusses replay use in 2016

By Pablo Roa

Apr 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) stands in the dugout during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) stands in the dugout during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Today’s District Daily features stories on the Washington Nationals’ use of replay this season and Joe Ross‘s injury status.

Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles form around the web below.

In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s James Wagner discusses manager Dusty Baker‘s use of challenges this season. As Wagner writes, Baker has struggled to win challenges this season but is making an effort to improve.

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Prior to today’s game, Baker and the Nationals were 1-for-6 with challenges on the season. According to Wagner, the team struggled last year with Matt Williams too, posting the third-worst challenge success rate in baseball.

Of course, things are much harder for Baker this season. The veteran manager had been out of the games for two years before the Nationals hired him, so the new replay system is completely new to him.

Hopefully for Baker and the Nationals, more challenges will start going their way sooner rather than later.

Here’s what Baker had to say about the team’s struggles with challenges this season, via Wagner’s article:

"“A lot of those challenges that we had they were kind of iffy, but we really had nothing to lose,” Baker said. “And I’m not crazy about challenges period. But if you don’t challenge, you don’t have a chance to win. It’s here and it’s here to stay, it just takes too long in my opinion."

Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Jamal Collier discusses the Nationals’ decision to skip Joe Ross in the rotation. As Collier notes, Ross is still dealing with a nagging blister on his pitching hand.

Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.

Dusty Baker on replay challenges: ‘If you don’t [try], you don’t have a chance’

(James Wagner, Washington Post)

In the seventh inning of Saturday’s game, Chris Heisey smacked a ground ball to the right side of the infield. First baseman Joe Mauer stopped the ball and flipped it to pitcher Phil Hughes, who covered the bag. Heisey slid head-first into the bag and was ruled out. The play happened so fast it was hard to tell by the naked eye if he was indeed out.

Manager Dusty Baker challenged the call on the field. Replays showed the play was very close; some angles making it seem Heisey was safe. But the side-angle view showed Heisey out by maybe an inch or two. After about three minutes of talking to the managers and talking to the New York replay office, the umpires ruled Heisey was indeed out. Read full article here.

Ross skipped in rotation to rest finger

(Jamal Collier, MLB.com)

WASHINGTON — Right-hander Joe Ross, who is battling a blister on his right-middle finger, will be skipped through this turn of the rotation, the Nationals announced Sunday. Right-hander Max Scherzer will start instead on Tuesday night against the Phillies.

Next: Washington Nationals Win 16 Inning Marathon Over Twins

Washington does not consider the blister for Ross to be a serious issue, and he was out playing long toss on Sunday afternoon. Read full article here.

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