Nationals position players officially reported to camp on Sunday, though many had spent the week getting ahead on the action. They took their physicals and went to work, facing pitchers in live action.
“Everyone seems super excited. I think it'll be good. I think a lot of guys have a lot to prove. I think everyone's really hungry,” said outfielder James Wood on Sunday. “I just think we'll be able to feed off that energy.”
Manager Blake Butera expressed his excitement to work with Wood this Spring in preparation for the season.
“Incredible kid. Pretty laid back as I'm sure you've gotten to know,” said Butera. “I joke and I'm like, I wonder what he's going to be like when he's hitting—a tie ball game in the ninth inning, two outs, guy on second—if his heart rate goes up at all or not. But now, he's just so laid back and seems to be the same person day-in and day-out.”
Right-handed pitchers Josiah Gray and Foster Griffin took the mound for their first live BP sessions of Spring, facing catcher Harry Ford; infielder CJ Abrams; and outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews.
“I mean, first and foremost, anytime right now I see Josiah on the mound, it's like, this is awesome, right? He's someone that's battled so much and has had all these injuries, frustrations. Just seeing him out there, him feeling good going into that live BP, that's the best part. And then Foster Griffin, same thing. Just seeing him on the mound competing, the stuff looked really good as well,” said Butera.
Right-handed pitchers Trevor Gott, Clayton Beeter, Andre Granillo, Julian Fernandez, Andry Lara and Griff McGarry, and left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara, also participated in live BP sessions.
On Monday, the Nationals will have their first full-squad workout and prepare for their first game of the Spring on Saturday.