Photo by Andrew Lang/TalkNats
The Washington Nationals will say goodbye to the Grapefruit League in a few hours as the team will play its final game and fly back to the DMV later today. The team puts their Opening Day starter, Cade Cavalli, on the mound for his final tune-up before he pitches at Wrigley Field on Thursday against the Cubs.
There are two exhibition games scheduled for tomorrow and Monday in a road-than-home two-game series with the Orioles as the final warm-ups. The team has one final position player cut to make, and we expect that Tres Barrera will be that player unless the team keeps three catchers. As of now, it looks like both Joey Wiemer and Christian Franklin will make the team as the extra outfielders.
The other roster battle is in the bullpen with 11 relievers remaining for just eight spots. Drew Smith will not make the roster as he was released today after looking like a “lock.” We still do not know who the closer is for the team. Listed in alphabetical order, you have these 11 bullpen arms still in camp with three cuts needed:
Clayton Beeter Andre Granillo Cole Henry Brad Lord Griff McGarry Cionel Pérez PJ Poulin Orlando Ribalta Paxton Schultz Gus Varland Ken Waldichuk
In total, there are five final cuts coming, but keep in mind, that Paul Toboni could be on the hunt for waiver claims, trades, and opt-out signings. H/T to DK for mentioning Ty France as a right-handed first base target who could opt-out today. If France was acquired, Andres Chaparro would be cut. Nothing is set in stone until the final roster is set on Thursday. We saw what happened yesterday when Dylan Crews was cut and optioned to Siberia Rochester Triple-A.
❝Ultimately, it’s always a hard decision, these types of moves this late in spring. One thing that we made sure Dylan was aware of is, we absolutely believe in Dylan. Our thoughts on Dylan as a person, as a player, have only changed in a positive direction. We just think the best thing for Dylan and the organization right now is at least for him to start in Triple-A.
— manager Blake Butera said yesterday about Crews
Credit to Dylan, he took it like a pro. He was awesome, awesome. These are never easy [conversations], and he looked us in the eye the entire time, understood, said he was going to do everything he needed to do in Triple-A. We told him it’s our job to make sure he has a clear understanding of what we need him to work on while he’s there — which our hitting group is going to lay out for him tomorrow before we leave — and we’re going to touch base with him basically every day while he’s there, just to make sure he’s continuing to hit those marks.
His response was like, I understand this is tough but I’m going to go do my thing, and I’m going to show you guys when I’m ready to go.
At this point, we only have 25 Spring Training games in the books and the one exhibition game, and no batter has more than 46 official plate appearances on the Washington Nationals. And for that matter, no pitcher has more than 13⅓ innings in official games.
Also, 68 Nationals have had at least one plate appearance with another two entering games without plate appearances for a total of 70 position players. On top of that, 54 Nats’ pitchers have appeared in games.
New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida
1st Pitch: 1:05 PM EDT
TV: N/A
Radio: N/A
