Washington Nationals Player News: All Positions
Max
Scherzer
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 19, 11:27a ET
News: Manager Dave Martinez said Scherzer (nose) intends to pitch Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports. "He said last night, he's pitching," the skipper said. "He was very adamant about wanting to pitch [Wednesday]."
Impact: Along with breaking his nose while taking part in a bunting drill Tuesday, Scherzer is dealing with a black eye on the right side of his face, though it doesn't sound like either issue will keep the right-hander from taking the mound for his scheduled start Wednesday. He's expected to speak with the team's athletic trainer early Wednesday, per Kolko, at which point the Nationals will have a clearer idea regarding his status. If Scherzer is ultimately unable to pitch, Austin Voth or Erick Fedde would make a spot start in his place.
Austin
Voth
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 19, 9:58a ET
News: The Nationals recalled Voth from Triple-A Fresno to serve as the 26th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Impact: Voth will be available for both halves of the twin bill, but there's a good chance the Nationals reserve him for the second half of the doubleheader. Max Scherzer is listed as the scheduled starter for the second game, but his status has yet to be determined while he continues to recover from the broken nose he suffered in a bunting drill Tuesday. If Scherzer can't go, either Voth or Erick Fedde would likely receive the starting nod.
Max
Scherzer
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 19, 9:54a ET
News: General manager Mike Rizzo said that while Scherzer (nose) is "scheduled" to pitch the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Phillies, the right-hander's status for the contest remains undetermined, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. "I think we'll see what happens when he wakes up [Wednesday]," Rizzo said.
Impact: Scherzer is still recovering from the broken nose he sustained while taking part in a bunting drill Tuesday, putting his availability entirely up in the air. Patrick Corbin is slated to start the first game of the twin bill for the Nationals, and the club also recalled Triple-A Fresno rotation member Austin Voth to serve as the 26th man for the day. If Scherzer's nose is presenting too much discomfort for him to pitch Wednesday, he'll likely be pushed back in the schedule, opening up a start for either Voth or Erick Fedde, according to Dan Kolko of MASN Sports.
Victor
Robles
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 19, 9:35a ET
News: Robles is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Phillies.
Impact: Gerardo Parra will receive the starting nod in center field while Robles exits the lineup for the first time in six games. During that stretch, Robles managed only five hits in 22 at-bats, sinking his season average to an underwhelming .234/.303/.402. The lagging offensive production won't prompt the Nationals to pull the plug on Robles, who should be back in the starting nine for the nightcap.
Patrick
Corbin
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 18, 9:12p ET
News: Corbin won't make his scheduled start Tuesday versus the Phillies due to inclement weather.
Impact: Corbin will have to wait another day after his start was postponed for the second consecutive day. According to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, the 29-year-old is scheduled to start Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Phillies.
Max
Scherzer
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 18, 8:19p ET
News: Scherzer was diagnosed with a broken nose and his status for Wednesday's start versus the Phillies is up in the air, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.
Impact: Scherzer had a CT scan come back negative after he was hit in the face by a ball during a bunting drill Tuesday, but he may not be able to make his scheduled turn through the rotation. The Nationals may wait to see how the 34-year-old feels prior to Wednesday's doubleheader before ultimately making a decision.
Max
Scherzer
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 18, 7:48p ET
News: Scherzer is feared to have suffered a broken nose after being hit in the face during a bunting drill Tuesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact: Scherzer is scheduled to start one half of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Phillies but his availability is now in question. Manager Dave Martinez indicated earlier in the day he still expected the veteran right-hander to pitch, but that could obviously change depending on the diagnosis.
Austin
Voth
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 18, 7:02p ET
News: Voth is expected to start one half of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact: A rainout Monday required the Nationals to call on a spot starter at some point this week, and that's expected to happen Wednesday. It's not clear which game Voth is expected to start. The Nationals may be hesitant to commit to a plan at this point, as Tuesday's game has already been delayed and could be at risk of a rainout as well, which may change the team's plans yet again.
Ryan
Zimmerman
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 18, 5:37p ET
News: Zimmerman (foot) ran the bases Tuesday and will do so again Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact: Plantar fasciitis has kept Zimerman out of action since late April. He seems to be approaching a rehab assignment.
Austin
Voth
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 18, 5:15p ET
News: Voth was scratched from an upcoming start at Triple-A Fresno, potentially in preparation for a spot start with the Nationals on Wednesday against the Phillies or Saturday against the Braves, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Impact: A rainout Monday has shaken up the Nationals' plans for the week, potentially to Voth's benefit. The 26-year-old posted a 6.57 ERA in 12.1 innings for the Nationals this season and has an unimpressive 4.40 ERA in 12 starts for Fresno this year.
Max
Scherzer
WSH
Rotowire:
Jun 18, 4:37p ET
News: Scherzer was hit in the face during a bunting drill Tuesday but is still expected to be able to start Wednesday against the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Impact: Scherzer was looked at by trainers, who could decide he needs some time off, though manager Davey Martinez expected him to be ready to go. He's set to start one half of Wednesday's doubleheader, assuming he's cleared by team doctors.
News: Rutledge, the 17th overall pick in this year's draft, signed a contract with the Nationals on Monday that included a $3.45 million bonus, Jamar Collier of MLB.com reports.
Impact: While the bonus was slightly under slot, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports that it's the largest deal ever signed by a JUCO pitcher, eclipsing the $2.45 million Nate Pearson received from the Blue Jays in 2017. Rutledge will begin his pro career in the Gulf Coast League, but the expectation is that he'll quickly move on to Low-A Auburn before the end of the season.