- The Washington Times - Monday, January 6, 2020

On the heels of a World Series championship, Washington Nationals fans must be especially eager to hear the phrase “pitchers and catchers reporting.”

The Nationals announced Monday they’ll open spring training when pitchers and catchers arrive in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 12.

Their first workout will be the following day, and position players will join them in Florida on Feb. 17, leading to the first workout with the full squad on Feb. 18.

The Nationals will look a bit different when they convene at spring training. Anthony Rendon departed for the Angels in free agency, and Washington may need to use spring training to sort out who will man third base. Eyes will be on free agent arrival Starlin Castro and top minor-league prospect Carter Kieboom.

As for the pitchers and catchers, the core of the World Series rotation — Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez — will be back, joined by new relief pitcher Will Harris and 2019 catchers Kurt Suzuki and Yan Gomes.

There’s one other fun wrinkle to spring training this year. The Nationals share their training facility with the Houston Astros, whom they defeated in seven games in the World Series, which could lead to an interesting dynamic around the facility. The Nationals play their first spring training game Feb. 22 against the Astros.

• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.

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