'I hit a brick wall': Sluggishness led to surgery for Lester
“There would be times where I would run out in the fifth, sixth, seventh inning and feel like I hit a brick wall. “Just thinking that maybe I needed to do a little extra in the weight room. “It’s like, ‘OK, if I miss one (start), they’ll be able to pick me up,’” Lester said. ... RHP Jefrey Rodriguez had a stiff shoulder so Washington “backed him down a little bit,” Martinez said. ... C Welington Castillo hasn't appeared in a game because he showed up to camp with a shoulder issue, the manager said.
Nationals cancel workout because of COVID-19 testing delay
WASHINGTON The defending World Series champion Nationals canceled their workout Monday because of COVID-19 testing delays that general manager Mike Rizzo worried could endanger the baseball season. All players and staff were tested Friday, and Rizzo said the team still hasn't received those results. We will not sacrifice the health and safety of our players, staff and their families. Two Nationals players who took part in in-take testing last week tested positive. Martinez said some of the 60 players tested were still awaiting results.
Defending champion Nats return healthy, careful on protocols
Washington Nationals' Adam Eaton (2), left, speaks with a staff member as the Washington Nationals hold their first training camp work out at Nationals Stadium, Friday, July 3, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON Dave Martinez's mantra of going 1-0 every day followed the Washington Nationals to their first World Series title. When they resumed workouts Friday at summer training camp in the midst of a global pandemic, the manager's mantra remained. Only, it has a different meaning for the defending champions tiptoeing the health and safety protocols that made baseball feel anything but natural. Were so used to it being a long season and it actually becoming a marathon, Martinez said.