Mike Rizzo
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

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

An electronic sign encouraging mask wearing is seen at Nationals Stadium, after the opening day baseball game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was postponed because of coronavirus concerns, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Washington. The entire season-opening three-game series between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was called off on Friday after three players for the 2019 World Series champions tested positive for COVID-19.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
LEADING OFF: Braves-Nats wait to play, Rangers welcome fans

By The Associated Press Apr. 04, 2021 07:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2020, file photo, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo looks on during the seventh inning in the continuation of a suspended baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Nationals in Baltimore. The entire season-opening three-game series between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was called off on Friday, April 2, 2021, after three players for the 2019 World Series champions tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
After COVID outbreak, Nats to open season Tuesday vs. Braves

By Howard Fendrich Apr. 04, 2021 04:59 PM EDT

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
LEADING OFF: All-Star Game needs new home, Harvey's new try

The Associated Press Apr. 03, 2021 03:19 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2018, file photo, ground crews prepare the field at Sun Trust Park, now known as Truist Park, ahead of Game 3 of MLB baseball's National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta. Truist Park lost the 2021 All-Star Game on Friday, April 2, 2021, when Major League Baseball decided to move the game elsewhere over the league’s objection to Georgia’s sweeping new election law that critics say restricts voting rights. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
LEADING OFF: All-Star Game needs new home, Harvey's new try

The Associated Press Apr. 02, 2021 07:17 PM EDT

An electronic sign encouraging mask wearing is seen at Nationals Stadium, after the opening day baseball game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was postponed because of coronavirus concerns, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Washington. The entire season-opening three-game series between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was called off on Friday after three players for the 2019 World Series champions tested positive for COVID-19.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
'Crisis management': Nats' COVID outbreak scraps Mets series

By Howard Fendrich Apr. 02, 2021 12:51 PM EDT

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko walks on the ice and shoots a puck around after the team's NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test result in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Latest: Mavs coach Carlisle tests positive, out vs NY

Apr. 02, 2021 12:41 PM EDT

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Chris Bassitt, center, works against Houston Astros' Jose Altuve during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 1, 2021, Oakland, Calif. Fans at RingCentral Coliseum were back at the ballpark for the first time since the 2019 season, and were seated in separate "seating pods" under a reduced stadium capacity policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Opening Day: Snow, stars, fans and a virus postponement

By Ben Walker Apr. 01, 2021 07:08 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves' Brian Snitker, left, and Philadelphia Phillies' Joe Girardi meet before an opening day baseball game, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
COVID hits MLB opening day; positive tests scrap Mets-Nats

By Howard Fendrich Apr. 01, 2021 12:15 PM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried works against the Tampa Bay Rays in a spring training baseball game in Port Charlotte, Fla., in this Sunday, March 21, 2021, file photo. Lucas Giolito, Max Fried and Jack Flaherty were teammates nine years ago at Harvard-Westlake, a prestigious prep school in Los Angeles. On Thursday, April 1, all three will be opening day starting pitchers in the major leagues. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
The Latest: NHL postpones 3 more Vancouver Canucks games

By The Associated Press Apr. 01, 2021 11:31 AM EDT

Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa (22) removes starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (27) from the baseball game as catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, and first baseman Jose Abreu (79) wait on the mound during the fifth inning of a spring training matchup against the San Francisco Giants on Monday, March 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
LEADING OFF: Crowds back on opening day, Cole starts season

By The Associated Press Apr. 01, 2021 01:11 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2020, file photo, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo looks on during the seventh inning in the continuation of a suspended baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Nationals in Baltimore. On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, Rizzo said a player for the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Rizzo said that four teammates and a staff member have been quarantined on the eve of the start of the regular season after contact tracing. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
1 Nationals player positive for COVID; 4 others quarantined

By Howard Fendrich Mar. 31, 2021 04:45 PM EDT

The Latest: Flames-Canucks postponed due to COVID-19 issue

By The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2021 04:08 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The Vancouver Canucks' game...

Washington Nationals' Juan Soto flies out to center field during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
LEADING OFF: Crowds back on opening day, Cole starts season

By The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2021 11:46 AM EDT

Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, left, walks toward the clubhouse with teammate Kyle Schwarber at the end of spring training baseball practice Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
After COVID opt-out, Zimmerman 'nowhere close' to retirement

By Howard Fendrich Feb. 25, 2021 03:31 PM EST

FILE - Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, right, walks with a member of the training staff as he heads to the dugout after leaving the game during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, in this Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, file photo. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, that Strasburg “is in preparation mode not in rehabilitation mode” at spring training after having surgery in 2020. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Easy does it: MLB pitchers prepare for usual 162-game grind

By David Brandt Feb. 18, 2021 04:27 PM EST

FILE - Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, right, walks with a member of the training staff as he heads to the dugout after leaving the game during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, in this Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, file photo. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, that Strasburg “is in preparation mode not in rehabilitation mode” at spring training after having surgery in 2020. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Strasburg in 'preparation mode' as Nationals start workouts

By Howard Fendrich Feb. 18, 2021 02:42 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

FILE - In this March 1, 2020, file photo, Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman watches his double during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Zimmerman is returning to the Nationals after sitting out the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that Zimmerman agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract that would include additional bonus provisions. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Zimmerman seals deal with Nats, says might not be last year

Jan. 23, 2021 05:11 PM EST