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Washington Nationals News: What does Jonathan Papelon’s return mean for the ‘pen?

By Pablo Roa

Jun 5, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Nationals won 10-9. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Nationals won 10-9. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Today’s District Daily features a story on what Jonathan Papelbon’s return means for the Washington Nationals’ bullpen and a profile on Nats ace Max Scherzer.

Good morning 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 from around the web below.

In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s chelsea Janes discusses what Jonathan Papelbon’s return from the disabled list could mean for the Nationals’ bullpen.

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As Janes writes, the Nationals’ bullpen — though still one of the best in baseball — struggled at times while Papelbon was on the DL. The ‘pen especially had problems getting the ball to interim closer Shawn Kelley.

With Papelbon back, however, the Nationals’ bullpen gets a sense of stability that it hasn’t had in three weeks. Only time will tell if a healthy, rested Papelbon can keep the Nationals’ bullpen going strong down the stretch and, hopefully, into the postseason.

Here’s what Papelbon said about how he felt after his return, via Janes’ article: 

"“I felt pretty strong and I felt pretty healthy,” Papelbon said. “And I felt like my delivery was intact. I feel ready to go and continue the season to the last pitch of the season.”"

Also in today’s Daily, ESPN’s Eddie Matz writes an interesting profile on Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer.

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.

What does Jonathan Papelbon’s return mean to the Nationals’ bullpen?

(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)

Jonathan Papelbon returned from the disabled list with a perfect ninth inning early Monday afternoon, his first outing since June 13. Because Papelbon was available for the ninth, Shawn Kelley could pitch the eighth. Because Kelley could pitch the eighth, Nationals Manager Dusty Baker only had to patch together one inning after Max Scherzer’s relatively short start.

For the two-plus weeks Papelbon was out, some combination of Sammy Solis, Felipe Rivero, Oliver Perez, Blake Treinen and, eventually, Matt Belisle had to get the ball to interim closer Kelley for the ninth. Some days, Kelley — who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries and is therefore unable to throw as often as some others — was unavailable. In those cases, someone had to fill in for the ninth, too. Read full article here.

Next: Washington Nationals send Michael A. Taylor to Triple-A Syracuse

Mound Visit: Getting to know Nationals ace Max Scherzer

(Eddie Matz, ESPN)

You know that Max Scherzer is the Washington Nationals‘ ace. You probably know that he’s a former Cy Young winner. And that last year, he inked a seven-year, $210 million deal to come to D.C. And that he has two different-colored eyes (one blue, one brown). I recently caught up with Scherzer — who takes the mound against Milwaukee on this most patriotic of Mondays in our nation’s capital — to find out a few things that you may not know about him. (Spoiler alert: He’s a ringer when it comes to hand-farting.)

Flick fix: “My favorite comedy is ‘Happy Gilmore.’ Favorite action flick is a tie between ‘Swordfish’ and ‘Gladiator.’ I can watch ‘Happy Gilmore’ every single day. My favorite line is … the whole movie. I’m not necessarily a big [Adam] Sandler fan, but that movie was priceless.” Read full article here.

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