Alex Avila has experience catching Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin. And it shows.
Jesse Dougherty, The Washington Post
Feb. 25, 2021
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Alex Avila has caught 187 different pitchers in 902 regular season games since his 2009 major league debut. That s naturally turned his brain into a dusty filing cabinet of the most minute details. At one point, about 10 years ago, it was consumed by Justin Verlander s curve or Aníbal Sánchez s change-up. In recent seasons, he calculated the best ways for Zack Greinke or Archie Bradley to use their fastballs.
And along the way, in stints with the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, he stored tons of information on Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin that could now serve him and the Washington Nationals well. Avila is the team s new backup catcher after signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract in late January. He is expected to start a maximum of two times per week to spell Yan Gomes. But his experie
Oshie helps Capitals rally from slow start to beat Devils
Samantha Pell, The Washington Post
Feb. 21, 2021
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T.J. Oshie, right, celebrates his second goal of the victory against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021.Washington Post photo by John McDonnell
WASHINGTON - Capitals winger T.J. Oshie couldn t help but chuckle during his virtual news conference Sunday in the aftermath of his team s 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils at Capital One Arena.
Finally, after a nine-game scoring drought, Oshie tallied not one but two power-play goals to spark a comeback victory on the second day of a back-to-back set. The Capitals were coming off a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, and their rally from a two-goal deficit against the Devils allowed them to salvage what could have been a disastrous weekend.
Nationals add right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress to bullpen mix
Jesse Dougherty, The Washington Post
Feb. 22, 2021
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Just days into spring training, and with some holes on the edges of their roster, the Washington Nationals have added veteran reliever Jeremy Jeffress on a minor league contract. Jeffress, 33, is coming off a strong season with the Chicago Cubs that still didn t yield a guaranteed deal for 2021. But he now leads a group of pitchers who could crack the Nationals roster and head north for Opening Day.
On Monday afternoon, Manager Dave Martinez confirmed that the Nationals had reached an agreement with Jeffress. Martinez added that Jeffress now has to pass coronavirus intake screening and a standard physical. Jeffress will earn $1.25 million plus potential incentives if he pitches in the majors for Washington, according to a person with knowledge of the terms. MLB.com was first to report the signing.