Front gates of Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter; Photo by Sol Tucker/TalkNats
The Washington Nationals had their final day-off on their Grapefruit League calendar yesterday. We are past the halfway point in Spring Training and just 16-days to Opening Day. Today, the team travels a little north to Jupiter for a game against the Marlins.
On the Zack Littell signing, his contract became official this morning as we sourced that he was in camp during the early morning. His deal was creative. Nats pay him $3 million now with $2.25 million in an innings incentives package and $4 million guaranteed if his mutual option is not picked up. The mutual option is for $12 million. Essentially, it’s only an $8 million option due to the $4 million option buyout. The way MLB accounts for it, the deal is $7 million guaranteed for 2026 plus $2.5 million in incentives bringing it to possibly $9.5 million. That brings the Nats to $118 million in CBT payroll before incentive bonuses which Littel, Foster Griffin, and Miles Mikolas have in their contracts.
To make room on the roster for Littell, the Nats DFA’d Richard Lovelady. There is a chance that Lovelady will not be claimed. We will see if the Nats are able to retain him. Lovelady pitched 4.0 innings in Spring Training with a 2.25 ERA — but a high 1.750 WHIP given that he walked three batters in those 4.0 innings.
The Nationals are 8-4 with three ties so far through the first 15 games. Throw in the 5-1 win against Venezuela’s WBC team, and they are 9-4.
Griffin is the Nats’ starter today with what looks close to what we might see in a lineup on Opening Day. Jacob Young is still on the mend from getting plunked on the wrist in “live” BP nearly three weeks ago. We saw him doing fielding practice and no wraps on his wrist. He will be in the batting cage today per our source. And we asked our source when Young will be back and got the response, “Will be back soon.” So, call it day-to-day.
At this point, we only have 15 Spring Training games in the books and the one exhibition game, and no batter has more than 22 official plate appearances on the Washington Nationals. And for that matter, no pitcher has more than 9.0 innings in official games. As the starters play deeper into games, there will be more plate appearances and more innings going forward.
Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter, Florida
1st Pitch: 1:10 PM EDT
TV: N/A
Radio: MLB app
