Alex Avila
Cincinnati Reds' Nick Castellanos (2) slides home safe as Washington Nationals catcher Alex Avila, is late for a tag during the eighth inning of the resumption of a rain-delayed baseball game in Washington, Thursday, May 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Nationals beat Reds 5-3 in completion of suspended game

By Ian Nicholas Quillen May. 27, 2021 04:33 PM EDT

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left, general manager Mike Rizzo, and owner Mark Lerner watch the team during a baseball workout at Nationals Park, Monday, April 5, 2021, in Washington. The Nationals are scheduled to play the Braves on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Struggling Nationals get back Schwarber, Bell, Harrison

By Howard Fendrich Apr. 12, 2021 04:24 PM EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner (10) is congratulated by Max Muncy (13) after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Turner homers, Dodgers beat Nats 1-0 on champs' ring day

By Greg Beacham Apr. 09, 2021 06:50 PM EDT

A steady trickle of fans arrive at the centerfield gate as the Washington Nationals play the Atlanta Braves in their opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Not quite 'Your 2021 Washington Nationals!' finally playing

By Howard Fendrich Apr. 06, 2021 05:11 PM EDT

The Washington Nationals have a baseball workout at Nationals Park, Monday, April 5, 2021, in Washington. The Nationals had a conronavirus outbreak that sidelined 11 players, four of whom tested positive for COVID-19, and delayed their first game until Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
COVID-hit Nats make many moves before 1st game of season

Apr. 06, 2021 12:43 PM EDT

Washington Nationals' Juan Soto bats during a baseball workout at Nationals Park, Monday, April 5, 2021, in Washington. The Nationals are scheduled to play the Braves on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
LEADING OFF: Nats set to start short-handed vs Braves

By The Associated Press Apr. 06, 2021 03:22 AM EDT

CORRECTS FIRST NAME TO MIKE-Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, left, and manager Dave Martinez, watch the team during a baseball workout at Nationals Park, Monday, April 5, 2021, in Washington. The Nationals are scheduled to play the Braves on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
LEADING OFF: Nats set to start short-handed vs Braves

By The Associated Press Apr. 05, 2021 08:19 PM EDT

CORRECTS FIRST NAME TO MIKE-Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left, and general manager Mike Rizzo talk during a baseball workout at Nationals Park, Monday, April 5, 2021, in Washington. The Nationals are scheduled to play the Braves on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Scherzer, COVID-depleted Nats finally set to play vs. Braves

By Howard Fendrich Apr. 05, 2021 04:52 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman takes during live batting practice before playing the Baltimore Orioles in a spring baseball game at CoolToday Park in North Port, Fla., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
National League East Preview Capsules

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2021 08:32 PM EDT

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona wears a face covering as he drives around on a golf cart during a spring training baseball practice Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
American League Central Preview Capsules

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2021 07:48 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Friday, March 5, 2021, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Ohtani fans 5 in return to mound; Harper HR on 1st swing

By The Associated Press Mar. 05, 2021 07:40 PM EST

FILE - This Sept. 23, 1983 file photo shows Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa. La Russa, the Hall of Famer who won a World Series championship with the Oakland Athletics and two more with the St. Louis Cardinals, is returning to manage the Chicago White Sox 34 years after they fired him, the team announced Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/File)
AL Central teams at the start of spring training

By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2021 12:38 PM EST

FILE - This is a 2020 file photo showing Alex Avila of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Avila finalized a one-year agreement with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. The 34-year-old Avila is expected to be the primary backup to starting catcher Yan Gomes in Washington. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Nationals add backup catcher Avila on $1.5M, 1-year deal

By Howard Fendrich Feb. 03, 2021 12:43 PM EST

Cleveland Indians' Jose Ramirez jogs toward home on a solo home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Rich Hill in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Byron Buxton homers again as Twins beat Indians 8-4

By Brian Hall Sep. 12, 2020 11:18 PM EDT

Minnesota Twins pitcher Rich Hill throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Twins beat Cardinals 3-0 in Rich Hill's smooth debut

By Dave Campbell Jul. 29, 2020 11:18 PM EDT