Actually, I’m still unable to find the roster link even on the home page. My wife is a better techie than I am, so I’ll solicit her help when she comes home from pottery lab. I’m sure it’s staring me in the face and I’m just unable to see it.
Hmm. Try this. Go to the very top of this comments page and click on "Nats Journal". That should take you directly to the homepage. The word "Roster" appears just under the title "Nats Journal".
They'll have to monitor AA's MiLB innings as they'll need him when they cut the bum, Miko, who they never should have signed. Along with the team's final W-L, you will be asked to guess Miko's release date. Facebook Guy will give the winner a free year of NJ.
Hi Mark, I am curious with regard to the daily batting lineup, do you know if Butera and Toboni are just trying players at various positions and spots in the lineup? Or are they also considering matchups versus various pitchers in the construction of the lineup? Thanks!
Ani Kilambi and his analytics team will be working with Butera to build a bespoke approach to each series and each matchup. Don't be surprised if the Nats use 50+ different lineups and batting orders this year.
I expect in ST it's more about who they want to get a look at in certain situations, and who needs the work, and less about matchups, because opposing pitchers don't pitch more than 2-3 innings.
I believe what they're doing this spring is mostly just trying out different lineups to see what works/looks good. But when it comes time to assemble lineups for the regular season, Butera definitely is going to be getting info/advice from GM Ani Kilambi, who is looking to maximize matchups. Don't be surprised if they don't end up with a standard batting order. Could look different almost every day!
Thanks, Mark. I know they will be doing a lot during the regular season. I was curious if they might work that in towards the end of ST. It'll be exciting to see how it all shakes out! Thanks again!
They'll come from both. Non-roster invitees can be reassigned to minor-league camp. Any of them who do make the Opening Day roster (like Cionel Perez and Drew Smith) will need to be added to the 40-man roster by then. Guys already on the 40-man can be optioned to Triple-A (if they aren't out of options, that is).
Final details still pending but found this on Nats cable system coverage. As expected, if you could get MASN last year, you should be able to find them on on your system in 2026.
"Cable/Satellite: What Providers & No Extra Cost
Regular season games hit Comcast/Xfinity, Cox, DirecTV, Verizon FIOS (and more) on a new Nationals.TV channel at the MASN tier. No action needed if you had MASN. MLB finalizes provider deals near Opening Day. Authenticate via cable login for free streaming on Nationals.TV/MLB App."
I noticed it said it was CHANNEL NO LONGER AVAILABLE around Thursday but did not select the channel so I did not see the MESSAGE that MASN2 was gone but they hoping to offer Nationals Broadcasts soon of course you have to have a broadcast first
I think what fans don't appreciate is that it's not unusual for these negotiations to cube down to the last minute. For all we know, there's no MASN agreement in place yet for FiOs, Comcast, etc. either. The difference with Nationals TV is that it's new and so there's no channel assigned yet.
The next source of complaints could come when the packages are announced and summer package that has MASN before doesn't include Nationals TV. That would be disappointing but it's also not unusual. FiOS dropped MASN from its legacy "Sports & News" package a few seasons ago, and subscribers had to upgrade to a more expensive plan if they wanted to keep MASN. I hope that doesn't happen to anybody but I also want the Nats to get as much as they can for these broadcast rights. They typically account for 20-30% of team revenue.
No hits for the Nats through four innings against Hunter Brown. Just a couple of walks, one a piece for Keibert Ruiz and Nasim Nunez. On the bright side, Andrew Alvarez tossed four scoreless innings of his own, striking out five and needing only 41 pitches to do it. Alvarez already was looking up the rotation depth chart before today's start, and he'll go down another rung after the Zack Littell signing. But the lefty does continue to exceed expectations, and it will be very interesting to see how things play out for him in both the short- and long-term.
I was just wondering how he would fit in now. He looked awfully good today. With a little over two weeks left, he does have time to make a really strong case for himself, especially if one of the other rotation contenders falters.
I have analyzed all of Alvarez's pitching peripherals and concluded that because he is from the best overall master’s-level university in the West for both public and private institutions, that he will surprise everyone and be not just a starter for the Nats, but a star MLB pitcher...but I may be biased.
I’m attending today’s game. Very disappointing to see our lineup with no hits through five innings and 11 strikeouts. We don’t seem to be able to catch up with mid-to-high 90s heat. But a beautiful day to watch baseball. Go Nats!
That’s no hits for the Nats through six innings. It was already a lineup of backups to start the game. It’s now a lineup of backups to the backups the rest of the way.
No link yet on the updated roster, Mark.
You can go back to the homepage for Nats Journal and click on Roster at the top of the page.
Thanks. Should have done that before I commented.
No problem. It's the daylight saving time effect. Any other morning . . .
Actually, I’m still unable to find the roster link even on the home page. My wife is a better techie than I am, so I’ll solicit her help when she comes home from pottery lab. I’m sure it’s staring me in the face and I’m just unable to see it.
Hmm. Try this. Go to the very top of this comments page and click on "Nats Journal". That should take you directly to the homepage. The word "Roster" appears just under the title "Nats Journal".
Pottery lab - how cool!
Sorry, just fixed it!
Thanks. Very helpful!
They'll have to monitor AA's MiLB innings as they'll need him when they cut the bum, Miko, who they never should have signed. Along with the team's final W-L, you will be asked to guess Miko's release date. Facebook Guy will give the winner a free year of NJ.
Hi Mark, I am curious with regard to the daily batting lineup, do you know if Butera and Toboni are just trying players at various positions and spots in the lineup? Or are they also considering matchups versus various pitchers in the construction of the lineup? Thanks!
This has been discussed a lot.
Ani Kilambi and his analytics team will be working with Butera to build a bespoke approach to each series and each matchup. Don't be surprised if the Nats use 50+ different lineups and batting orders this year.
Thanks! I was just asking if they were starting any of that as we near the end of ST.
I expect in ST it's more about who they want to get a look at in certain situations, and who needs the work, and less about matchups, because opposing pitchers don't pitch more than 2-3 innings.
Most definitely. I am sure they are at least modeling some this spring.
I believe what they're doing this spring is mostly just trying out different lineups to see what works/looks good. But when it comes time to assemble lineups for the regular season, Butera definitely is going to be getting info/advice from GM Ani Kilambi, who is looking to maximize matchups. Don't be surprised if they don't end up with a standard batting order. Could look different almost every day!
Thanks, Mark. I know they will be doing a lot during the regular season. I was curious if they might work that in towards the end of ST. It'll be exciting to see how it all shakes out! Thanks again!
… and the matchups might be based on defense. I can see Nunez at SS when a ground-ball pitcher is starting and Abrams at other times.
Yay! A good PFP by Alvarez!
Brown definitely has more velo than Alvarez in a painfully apparent way.
But can’t argue with 6 K after 3 🤷♂️
How do the remaining roster cuts work? Will they come largely from the non-roster invitees or could some come from the 40-man roster?
They'll come from both. Non-roster invitees can be reassigned to minor-league camp. Any of them who do make the Opening Day roster (like Cionel Perez and Drew Smith) will need to be added to the 40-man roster by then. Guys already on the 40-man can be optioned to Triple-A (if they aren't out of options, that is).
What is the significance/relevance of minor league camp Mark? Can players take free agency imeven if on a minor league deal?
Non-game note:
Final details still pending but found this on Nats cable system coverage. As expected, if you could get MASN last year, you should be able to find them on on your system in 2026.
"Cable/Satellite: What Providers & No Extra Cost
Regular season games hit Comcast/Xfinity, Cox, DirecTV, Verizon FIOS (and more) on a new Nationals.TV channel at the MASN tier. No action needed if you had MASN. MLB finalizes provider deals near Opening Day. Authenticate via cable login for free streaming on Nationals.TV/MLB App."
Thanks!
Thank you. I had a bad experience with the MLB app last year. I am wondering if I should just take a deep breath and watch the YouTube highlights.
That explains the MASN 2 channel showing it has closed
Right. On my system (Comcast in MoCo) it appears it's the place holder for the new channel.
Channel 844.
I noticed it said it was CHANNEL NO LONGER AVAILABLE around Thursday but did not select the channel so I did not see the MESSAGE that MASN2 was gone but they hoping to offer Nationals Broadcasts soon of course you have to have a broadcast first
I have DirectTV streaming and have seen the same message as well and, as many of us are, am hoping it will be the new home for Nationals.TV
They closed in 2005! lol
I think what fans don't appreciate is that it's not unusual for these negotiations to cube down to the last minute. For all we know, there's no MASN agreement in place yet for FiOs, Comcast, etc. either. The difference with Nationals TV is that it's new and so there's no channel assigned yet.
The next source of complaints could come when the packages are announced and summer package that has MASN before doesn't include Nationals TV. That would be disappointing but it's also not unusual. FiOS dropped MASN from its legacy "Sports & News" package a few seasons ago, and subscribers had to upgrade to a more expensive plan if they wanted to keep MASN. I hope that doesn't happen to anybody but I also want the Nats to get as much as they can for these broadcast rights. They typically account for 20-30% of team revenue.
Amazingly, the team was able to sign Z Littell (double up on those ts and ls) . What a blunder by contending teams.
Sorry, I haven't been able to follow the game so far ... because I was busy writing this breaking news story: The Nats are signing veteran starter Zack Littell: https://natsjournal.com/p/nats-agree-to-one-year-deal-with
No hits for the Nats through four innings against Hunter Brown. Just a couple of walks, one a piece for Keibert Ruiz and Nasim Nunez. On the bright side, Andrew Alvarez tossed four scoreless innings of his own, striking out five and needing only 41 pitches to do it. Alvarez already was looking up the rotation depth chart before today's start, and he'll go down another rung after the Zack Littell signing. But the lefty does continue to exceed expectations, and it will be very interesting to see how things play out for him in both the short- and long-term.
I was just wondering how he would fit in now. He looked awfully good today. With a little over two weeks left, he does have time to make a really strong case for himself, especially if one of the other rotation contenders falters.
I have analyzed all of Alvarez's pitching peripherals and concluded that because he is from the best overall master’s-level university in the West for both public and private institutions, that he will surprise everyone and be not just a starter for the Nats, but a star MLB pitcher...but I may be biased.
I know the Nats hitting hasn't been great so far this spring, but in this game, Hunter Brown looks awfully good.
Great outing for Alvarez: 4IP, 0R, 1H, 5K, 0BB.
I’m attending today’s game. Very disappointing to see our lineup with no hits through five innings and 11 strikeouts. We don’t seem to be able to catch up with mid-to-high 90s heat. But a beautiful day to watch baseball. Go Nats!
That’s no hits for the Nats through six innings. It was already a lineup of backups to start the game. It’s now a lineup of backups to the backups the rest of the way.
So, what you're saying is NOW the Nats will start hitting. :-)
And right on cue, Keibert Ruiz singles to right to open the seventh and foil the Astros’ no-hit bid.
Nats finally found an Astros pitcher we can handle. J.P. France. Sacre bleu!!
Go Nats! Better late than never!