Washington Nationals: Injury clarity finally arrives

Opening Day is right around the corner for the Washington Nationals, but a few prominent players will not break camp with the team. That and more in today’s Daily Washingtonian.

Good morning, Washington Nationals fans!

Today is March 22, 2018, which means Opening Day is only a week away! After a long, uneventful winter, real baseball is finally imminent.

2018 figures to be an enormous year for the Nats, but they must make it through the final week of spring training first. They have made it largely unscathed thus far, but you never know when injuries will hit.

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Unfortunately, injuries have been a recurrent theme with the Nats over the last few years.

This spring has been focused on players coming off of injuries, such as Adam Eaton and Daniel Murphy, but that is not to say that the Nats have been dealt a perfect bill of health.

Relief prospect Wander Suero suffered a minor injury earlier this spring and Michael Taylor dealt with a mild oblique strain, but both have since returned to action.

Joaquin Benoit, on the other hand, will be forced to miss some time.

The veteran reliever struggled in three spring outings, pitching to a 9.00 ERA. Although this is a small sample size, he did not pass the eye test either. His velocity was down a bit, and he struggled to locate pitches.

On Wednesday, the Nats announced that he will begin the season on the disabled list with a forearm strain. His absence creates an unexpected opening in the crowded bullpen, which will likely be filled by Trevor Gott or Austin Adams.

Along with Benoit, Murphy is unlikely to break camp with the team. He is recovering from offseason knee surgery, which has kept him sidelined all spring.

Murphy could be ready to return to action shortly after the season starts, but he will be absent from the Opening Day lineup.

With those injury updates, here is what we’re reading:

The Washington Post on Gio Gonzalez’s contract year

Along with Bryce Harper and Murphy, Gio Gonzalez could be entering his final season in Washington. He is now the third-longest tenured Nat, behind Ryan Zimmerman and Stephen Strasburg, so he wants to make 2018 count. Jorge Castillo discusses Gonzalez’s goals for his possible DC swan song.

The Roanoke Times previews the postseason

The Nats’ postseason struggles are well-documented. Despite being one of the most talented franchises in the game, they have failed to escape the National League Division Series in four trips to the postseason. Steve DeShazo ponders what might happen this October.

TalkNats profiles Kevin Long and Joe Dillon

After dismissing nearly the entire coaching staff last season, the Nats now employ two new hitting coaches. The early results are clear; Kevin Long and Joe Dillon are doing a great job. Andrew Lang dives into the new coaches.

SoDo Mojo calls for a Brian Goodwin trade

Despite bringing Ichiro back, the Mariners are in need of outfield depth. The Nats have a surplus of outfielders from which they could trade from, which would make them a possible trade partner. Could Brian Goodwin be a fit in Seattle? Colby Patnode thinks so.

Next: No need to worry about Ryan Zimmerman

The sweet 16 begins tonight, which should keep you entertained for the evening. Fortunately, real baseball begins in just one week!

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