Tomorrow, tomorrow, it’s only a day away. Nationals pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach tomorrow for the first official workout of the 2026 season.
Above are both the schedule and the players to watch during spring training. Opening day away is March 26 and at home it is April 3.
All players on the 40-man roster are required to attend spring training. In addition, the team invites to camp non-roster players who hope to impress. The non-roster invitees are indicated with an asterisk in the table above.
These players are generally either:
- Young, high-ranking prospects looking to get exposure to major league coaching and the atmosphere. This year, watch out for Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora on the mound and Yohandy Morales, who may become the team’s next first baseman. He mashes the ball too — just needs to make contact more often; or
- Veteran players on minor league contracts seeking a spot on the 26-man Opening Day roster. This year, such players include pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara, and former fan favorites Riley Adams and Trey Lipscomb.
I look forward to seeing how the new management team jives with the players at camp. My sense is that there is hope that a new and energized team can rise like and eagle (Screech?) from the ashes.
The Athletic has recognized the team’s focus on player development. Keith Law named the Nationals’ farm system as the sixth best in the league. Toboni and Butera have been actively amassing players from other teams. Since just January 1, the team has signed TEN players off waivers and signed TWENTY-FIVE free agents! There have to be some good players in there somewhere — after all, even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally. (I actually think they are doing much better than that — I just like that saying).
Hopefully we’ll get some televised spring training games so we can see how things are developing. Starting pitching will be the biggest thing to watch for. Who has the stuff this year?
Let’s be the envy of sports!
#thenatslady #theswarm
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