Thursday, July 10

Welcome to the offseason edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter! This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights, brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato.

Your calendars have been circled, the days have been counted down -- Spring Training 2025 begins this coming week. As the Nationals prepare for their 20th anniversary season, here is some key information to know about camp in West Palm Beach, Fla. 

When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers? 

Wednesday, Feb. 12. 

What is the date of the first full-squad workout? 

Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Where is the team’s facility? 

CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches is located at 444 Haverhill Road in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Nationals share the park with the Astros, so a road game against Houston doesn’t involve extra travel. Click here for directions and parking information. 

Can fans attend workouts? 

Yes, workouts at the Nationals’ facility are open to fans. 

Who are some new faces fans should know? 

The Nationals signed several veterans this offseason: right-handers Jorge López, Michael Soroka and Trevor Williams; left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara; first baseman/DH Nathaniel Lowe; designated hitter/first baseman Josh Bell and infielder Amed Rosario. 

Who was added to the 40-man roster related to the Rule 5 Draft?

Outfielder Robert Hassell III (Nats’ No. 13 prospect) and left-hander Andry Lara were added to the 40-man roster and protected from the Rule 5 Draft. Lefty Evan Reifert (No. 26) was acquired in the Rule 5 Draft from the Rays’ organization.  

Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp? 

For the second year in a row, the Nationals invited a deep group of prospects to Major League Spring Training: right-handers Marquis Grissom Jr. (No. 27), Brad Lord (No. 30), Tyler Stuart (No. 19), Jarlin Susana (No. 4, MLB No. 79); catcher Caleb Lomavita; infielders Brady House (No. 3), Yohandy Morales (No. 9), Cayden Wallace (No. 11); outfielders Daylen Lile (No. 12), Andrew Pinckney (No. 28). 

Who are slated to be guest instructors?

The Nationals are hosting alumni guest instructors that include former position players Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, Adam LaRoche, Denard Span and Jayson Werth, and former pitchers Tyler Clippard, Aníbal Sánchez, Drew Storen and Jordan Zimmermann.

When is the team’s first Grapefruit League game? 

The Nationals play their first Grapefruit League game on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m. ET at the Astros. 

What are a few other notable spring games?

Looking for a road trip? The Nationals travel to play the Rays on March 13 at 1:05 p.m. ET and the Braves (split-squad) on March 14 at 1:05 p.m. ET. 

What is Spring Breakout and when is the game? 

The Nationals will play in two Spring Breakout games, a showcase of top emerging talent with squads composed entirely of prospects. The Nationals will play the Astros as the visiting team on Friday, March 14 at 2:05 p.m. ET. Two days later, they will host the Mets on Sunday, March 16 at 5:05 p.m. ET. 

When is the club’s last game in Florida? 

The Nationals’ final day of Grapefruit League action is a split-squad lineup on Sunday, March 23, at 12:05 p.m. ET vs. the Astros and 1:05 p.m. ET at the Cardinals. 

What are the details for Opening Day? 

The Nationals will host the Phillies for the 2025 season opener on Thursday, March 27, at 4:05 p.m. ET. The first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive an Opening Day T-shirt.

The Nationals signed lefty reliever Colin Poche to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training on Friday. Poche, 31, was non-tendered in November by the Rays.

Coincidentally, I was covering the Rays the day Poche made his Major League debut on June 8, 2019, in Boston. Poche’s chaotic journey to Fenway Park still stands out to me years later -- including a mile walk after being stuck in traffic -- and it was fun to read back and share with you. 

A handful of former Nationals players who were in camp last spring will be vying for a roster spot with a new club this year:

• 1B Joey Meneses: Signed Minor League contract with Mets
• 3B Carter Kieboom: Signed Minor League contract with Angels, invited to Spring Training
• UTIL Ildemaro Vargas: Signed Minor League contract with D-backs, invited to Spring Training
• RHP Tanner Rainey: Signed Minor League contract with Pirates, invited to Spring Training
• RHP Jordan Weems: Signed Minor League contract with Braves, invited to Spring Training
• RHP Amos Willingham: Claimed off waivers by Braves
• LHP Joe La Sorsa: Signed Minor League contract with Reds, invited to Spring Training

To subscribe to Nationals Beat, visit this page and mark "Nationals Beat" from our newsletter list. Make sure you're following the Nationals or that they're checked as your favorite team.

View Online

© 2025 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Visit MLB.com. Any other marks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Please review our Privacy Policy.

You (mlb-newsletters@mlb.com) received this message because you registered to receive commercial email messages or purchased a ticket from MLB. 

Please add info@marketing.mlbemail.com to your address book to ensure our messages reach your inbox. If you no longer wish to receive commercial email messages from MLB.com, please unsubscribe or log in and manage your email subscriptions.

Postal Address: MLB.com, c/o MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.