VIERA, Florida — The full 2016 Nationals squad took the field Thursday for the first time, in less than ideal conditions. Temperatures were in the 50s and the wind was howling. That didn’t stop Dusty Baker from seeing what he liked.
“I was pleased because nobody complained about the elements, which you can’t do much about but it was kind of chilly considering we’re in Florida. They didn’t say anything, they just worked which is what I like. Guys are in good shape, which I’m not surprised.”
Baker was pleased with what he saw from Daniel Murphy and Danny Espinosa swinging the bat. Some guys stood in but didn’t swing, basically just getting their first look at live pitching this spring. Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman were among those that didn’t swing the bat. They faced Bronson Arroyo, who threw on the mound against a live batter for the first time in quite some time.
“It’s the first time I threw to a hitter since I beat the Dodgers in June of 2014,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo is coming off of Tommy John surgery from July of 2014 and trying to make a comeback. He played for Dusty in Cincinnati and Baker is giving him a shot to see if he’s got anything left in the arm.
“I haven’t been on the mound in such a long time,” he said. “My first two bullpens were not good. My first one was not good at all. My second one, I got a little more comfortable. Today, I kind of felt like my old self. It felt good to have a hitter in there, be throwing off a downhill mound, and just kind of feel like you’re in a game a little bit.”
He knows today was just the first step, realizing there’s still a ways to go to see if he will be Major League ready again.
“I feel good enough that I know I could go out there and throw one inning right now,” he said. “But the point is, being a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball is about being able to throw one inning, cool down, throw another inning, cool down, throw another inning…that’s huge on an arm that’s been surgically repaired. And also, can you do that and then come back on four days rest and do it again? And again. And again. In years past, my body handled it, no problem. But, it’s a bit unknown. I turned 39 yesterday, and I’d be lying if I said I know I’m going to go out there and give you 110 pitches and have no problems, because I don’t. So this spring is going to be fun for me to go out there and compete and see how everybody reacts.”
Lucas Giolito
Top prospect Lucas Giolito also threw today, his first live BP session in his first big league camp. He faced prospect Trea Turner, first baseman Tyler Moore and outfielder Chris Heisey with Baker looking on intently.
Dusty’s first message
Before taking the field this morning, Dusty Baker ran his first full team meeting in the Nats clubhouse, where he delivered his first message.
“You want to start thinking like a champion and think like a family,” he said. “The thing about the family is that you close your circle. What goes on in here, stays in here and you hope your family loves each other.”
All in attendance but one
Jayson Werth missed day one because he was sick. Baker said the team sent him home hoping not to spread germs in the clubhouse. They hope to have him back tomorrow
“Royce”
It’s been well documented early in camp that Dusty Baker has referred to his MVP as Royce Harper on a couple of occasions. On Thursday he clarified some things.
“My wife gave me a bunch of stuff,” he said. “I blame it on the military because in the military you call everybody by their last name. I don’t know if I know him well enough to call him Harp. My wife said call him Harp. I said, honey I don’t whether he likes Harp. You gotta ask him before you start calling somebody Harp. I didn’t mean to call him Royce and I know his name. I introduced him as Royce to the team…we’ve got a new player!”
The Dusty Baker era is underway. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
