The Washington Nationals pulled off a solid 5-3 win against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, building on their momentum from the weekend. James Wood continued his hot streak at the plate, Mitchell Parker rebounded from early trouble on the mound, and Kyle Finnegan notched his MLB-leading 15th save. But the victory came with concern, as Dylan Crews exited early after re-aggravating a left-side back injury that’s lingered since the last series against Atlanta. With Crews undergoing an MRI and Jacob Young dealing with a shoulder issue, the Nats may be down two outfielders.

In response, the Nationals have promoted outfield prospect Robert Hassell III to the big leagues. Once a top draft pick and a centerpiece of the Juan Soto trade, Hassell has had a tough road — including a hamate injury that derailed his 2023 season. After a slow start in Triple-A this year, he’s caught fire in May, hitting .365 with a 1.006 OPS. Known for his defense and pure hitting ability, Hassell now gets his long-awaited shot in the majors. With the team inching closer to third place in the NL East, his arrival adds another exciting chapter to Washington’s youth movement.

After a brutal seven-game losing streak, the Washington Nationals found the spark they needed with a 5-4 comeback win over the Braves in Atlanta. Fueled by clutch late-inning hits from Dylan Crews, José Tena, Amed Rosario, and James Wood, along with strong bullpen work from José A. Ferrer and Kyle Finnegan, the young Nats showed resilience and finally got back in the win column. The energy was different — a result, perhaps, of a timely team meeting that helped reset the locker room and reminded everyone that aggressive, confident baseball is still the identity they’re trying to build.

Though mistakes and unlucky breaks continued to surface early — missed opportunities on the bases and a few defensive miscues — the team’s late-inning push flipped the narrative. For a rebuilding squad where wins aren’t the only metric, this one mattered. Not just because they beat a division powerhouse, but because they found a way to win a close game — something they’ll need to repeat if they want to keep building toward the future. This episode dives into how it all came together and what it means moving forward.

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The Washington Nationals are spiraling, having been swept at home by the lowly Cardinals and scoring just three runs in three games. While MacKenzie Gore gave a gutsy performance, the offense continues to vanish when it matters most, and Davey Martinez’s passive leadership is raising eyebrows. The team is now 5–18 when they allow the first run, highlighting just how ineffective the bats are at playing from behind. Frustration is mounting — from fans and players alike — and there's a growing sense that Martinez’s lack of visible fire and accountability is contributing to the team’s lifelessness on the field.

Beyond the dugout, the front office has made critical errors, especially in constructing the league’s worst bullpen, and ownership isn’t doing much to inspire confidence either. With a bare-minimum payroll, dead money tied up in bad contracts, and no visible commitment to spending, the Lerner family’s silence is deafening. Rizzo and Martinez are both in contract years, yet no changes appear imminent, even as the team continues to underperform. Until there's leadership that demands better — whether from the manager, GM, or owners — this team will remain stuck in neutral, wasting the potential of promising young talent

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1. In this episode of the Talk Nats Podcast, we start with a detailed look at Michael Soroka’s rehab progress following his biceps injury in late March. After two encouraging starts in Double-A Harrisburg, Soroka appears physically and mentally ready to rejoin the Nationals rotation. With improved command of his changeup and increased pitch count, the right-hander could soon bring valuable experience and upside to a developing young staff. Manager Davey Martinez hasn’t confirmed a return date yet, but momentum is building for Soroka’s imminent reactivation.

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The Nationals recently clinched a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, showcasing strong performances from new additions Josh Bell and Nathaniel Lowe, who both made significant contributions on offense. Mitchell Parker led the pitching efforts with an impressive 6.1 scoreless innings, supported by a solid bullpen despite some late-inning drama. The win offered a morale boost heading into their upcoming interleague series in Toronto, as Parker demonstrated stability on the mound, successfully navigating tough situations without allowing runs.

However, the Nationals faced challenges in the previous, particularly with their bullpen. Jake Irvin had a solid start against the Phillies, but the relief pitchers struggled, leading to significant runs and losses in the subsequent games. Manager Davey Martinez highlighted control issues, as the bullpen has given up a staggering number of walks and home runs. While players like Keibert Ruiz showed promise at the plate, the team overall needs to improve offensive production to build on their momentum and address the weaknesses in their pitching staff.

The Washington Nationals kicked off their 21st season with a mix of optimism and competitive spirit on Opening Day, though they suffered a 7-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in extra innings. MacKenzie Gore made a spectacular debut, striking out 13 batters and allowing just one hit over six innings. Keibert Ruiz contributed to the excitement with a home run, but the team faced challenges, particularly from the bullpen, which gave up crucial runs late in the game. Despite the loss, the atmosphere at Nationals Park was electric, and there are positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding journey. As the season unfolds, all eyes are on Keibert Ruiz, who is determined to bounce back from a tough 2024. In his opening game performance, he showcased significant improvements, including a standout defensive play where he gunned down a base runner. Ruiz's home run against Phillies' ace Zack Wheeler demonstrated his hard work during the offseason is paying off. With an impressive start to the new season—boasting a .500 batting average and a perfect caught-stealing rate—there’s a lot of excitement surrounding his potential to contribute to the team's success going forward.

Today the pod focuses on pitcher MacKenzie Gore, highlighting his impressive performance, perfectionist mindset, and the fastest pitch for a qualified starting pitcher in Nationals history. Despite facing challenges, he remains calm and reflective, praised for his skills by teammates and influenced by mentors and family. As the 2025 season approaches, expectations for his success are high.

Later Dan discusses the Washington Nationals' upcoming 2025 season under manager Davey Martinez. The team aims for at least 82 wins following a productive spring training, with a focus on improving from past struggles. Veteran additions and young talent are crucial for growth, as the Nationals seek a competitive turnaround.

As the Washington Nationals prepare for the season, two young prospects, Robert Hassell III and Brady House, have been left off the Opening Day roster. While both players show promise—Hassell with a strong .370 batting average this spring and House improving his performance to .333—they still need more experience in the minors to fully develop. Manager Davey Martinez believes they could debut in 2025, but until then, they are expected to continue honing their skills at Triple-A, especially since established players like Jacob Young and Paul DeJong are currently securing key positions. In addition to roster updates, there are ongoing discussions about first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell, who is expected to be a significant trade candidate this season as the Nationals continue to rebuild. Given his one-year contract and the team's challenges, Bell could attract interest from contending teams if he performs well. Meanwhile, young talents in the minors, including Hassell, could eventually step into vital roles like the DH position. The team is watching closely as the trade deadline approaches, keeping an eye on potential destinations for Bell and the development of their young prospects.

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