Mark Zuckerman
@markzuckerman.bsky.social
I didn't invent Facebook, but I do cover the Washington Nationals for MASNsports.com and co-host the Nats Chat podcast: https://www.natschatpodcast.com/
Nationals have announced game times for next season. Weeknights at 6:45, Saturdays at 4:05, Sundays at 1:35, weekday matinees at 12:05/1:05, July 4 at 11:05.
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Nationals have announced game times for next season. Weeknights at 6:45, Saturdays at 4:05, Sundays at 1:35, weekday matinees at 12:05/1:05, July 4 at 11:05.
What positions of need might the Nationals prioritize this winter?
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
Where the Nats roster most needs to be bolstered
Baseball’s annual GM Meetings wrap up this morning in Las Vegas, and as is always the case, there hasn’t been a whole lot of hard news coming out of the event. This isn’t the Winter Meetings (which ar...
www.masnsports.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
What positions of need might the Nationals prioritize this winter?
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
I was an NL Cy Young Award voter. Like everyone else, I obviously had Paul Skenes as the winner.
Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...
Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...
Explaining my NL Cy Young Award ballot
We’re nearing the end of awards week for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s four-highest honors that are handed out after every baseball season.The third was announced last night as Paul S...
www.masnsports.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I was an NL Cy Young Award voter. Like everyone else, I obviously had Paul Skenes as the winner.
Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...
Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
The Nationals have announced a press conference to introduce new manager Blake Butera on Monday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. It will air in its entirety on MASN.
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The Nationals have announced a press conference to introduce new manager Blake Butera on Monday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. It will air in its entirety on MASN.
On Simon Mathews and his path from Georgetown to the Angels’ farm system to two pitching labs to the Reds to Nationals pitching coach at 30: www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nats lure 30-year-old Mathews from Reds to become pitching coach
The youngest major league manager in five decades is going to have a pitching coach even younger than him. One with a significant D.C. connection and a pedigree in modern baseball philosophy.The Natio...
www.masnsports.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
On Simon Mathews and his path from Georgetown to the Angels’ farm system to two pitching labs to the Reds to Nationals pitching coach at 30: www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
HUGE FIRST BSKY POST
November 11, 2025 at 9:36 PM
HUGE FIRST BSKY POST
Nationals have hired Simon Mathews as pitching coach.
* 30 years old
* Pitched for (and graduated from) Georgetown
* Director of pitching at Push Performance in Tempe, Ariz., online trainer at Driveline Baseball
* Worked for Reds since 2021, including asst. pitching coach in 2025
* 30 years old
* Pitched for (and graduated from) Georgetown
* Director of pitching at Push Performance in Tempe, Ariz., online trainer at Driveline Baseball
* Worked for Reds since 2021, including asst. pitching coach in 2025
November 11, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Nationals have hired Simon Mathews as pitching coach.
* 30 years old
* Pitched for (and graduated from) Georgetown
* Director of pitching at Push Performance in Tempe, Ariz., online trainer at Driveline Baseball
* Worked for Reds since 2021, including asst. pitching coach in 2025
* 30 years old
* Pitched for (and graduated from) Georgetown
* Director of pitching at Push Performance in Tempe, Ariz., online trainer at Driveline Baseball
* Worked for Reds since 2021, including asst. pitching coach in 2025
The Braves have hired Darnell Coles as assistant hitting coach.
November 11, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The Braves have hired Darnell Coles as assistant hitting coach.
More on the Nationals’ new bench coach, who worked with Blake Butera for the Rays and oversaw one of the majors’ best baserunning teams this season.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Butera hires former Rays colleague Johns as bench coach
Blake Butera’s right-hand man in the dugout will be a familiar face to the Nationals’ new manager, not to mention one with more experience at the sport’s higher levels.Butera has selected Michael John...
www.masnsports.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
More on the Nationals’ new bench coach, who worked with Blake Butera for the Rays and oversaw one of the majors’ best baserunning teams this season.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Daylen Lile finished 5th for NL Rookie of the Year. He's the first Nationals player to receive ROY votes since Victor Robles in 2019, the first Nationals player to receive votes for any BBWAA award since Juan Soto (MVP runner-up) in 2021.
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Daylen Lile finished 5th for NL Rookie of the Year. He's the first Nationals player to receive ROY votes since Victor Robles in 2019, the first Nationals player to receive votes for any BBWAA award since Juan Soto (MVP runner-up) in 2021.
Nationals have announced the hiring of Michael Johns as bench coach. Quote from manager Blake Butera, who overlapped with him in the Rays organization the last 9 seasons:
November 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Nationals have announced the hiring of Michael Johns as bench coach. Quote from manager Blake Butera, who overlapped with him in the Rays organization the last 9 seasons:
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
Michael Johns oversaw Rays' baserunning as 1st base coach the past 2 seasons.
TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).
TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).
Michael Johns will be the Nationals' new bench coach, per Ken Rosenthal. Johns, 50, has worked in the Rays organization since 2008, including 9 seasons as a minor league manager, before becoming Tampa Bay's first base coach in 2024. Already has an established relationship with manager Blake Butera.
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Michael Johns oversaw Rays' baserunning as 1st base coach the past 2 seasons.
TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).
TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).
Michael Johns will be the Nationals' new bench coach, per Ken Rosenthal. Johns, 50, has worked in the Rays organization since 2008, including 9 seasons as a minor league manager, before becoming Tampa Bay's first base coach in 2024. Already has an established relationship with manager Blake Butera.
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Michael Johns will be the Nationals' new bench coach, per Ken Rosenthal. Johns, 50, has worked in the Rays organization since 2008, including 9 seasons as a minor league manager, before becoming Tampa Bay's first base coach in 2024. Already has an established relationship with manager Blake Butera.
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
James Wood did not win a Silver Slugger Award after being a finalist for the first time. Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll and Kyle Tucker took home the NL honors in the outfield.
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
James Wood did not win a Silver Slugger Award after being a finalist for the first time. Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll and Kyle Tucker took home the NL honors in the outfield.
More on today's transactions and who's left on the Nationals' ever-shrinking 40-man roster:
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nats lose Brzykcy, Loutos on waivers, outright Lipscomb to Triple-A
The Nationals continued to remake their 40-man roster this afternoon with a series of transactions that included the departures of pitchers Zach Brzykcy and Ryan Loutos, the demotion of infielder Trey...
www.masnsports.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:21 PM
More on today's transactions and who's left on the Nationals' ever-shrinking 40-man roster:
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
But wait, there's more ...
* Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.
* Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.
Nationals transactions:
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
November 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
But wait, there's more ...
* Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.
* Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.
Nationals transactions:
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
November 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Nationals transactions:
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
Your current managers of the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres ...
November 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Your current managers of the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres ...
One of the most intriguing questions with a brand-new Nationals organization: How much day-to-day influence will the front office have on the manager's office?
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...
How much influence will Nats' new front office have on manager's office?
For generations, the division between a franchise’s front office and the manager’s office was clear-cut. The general manager’s job was to assemble the team’s roster. And the manager’s job was to use t...
www.masnsports.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
One of the most intriguing questions with a brand-new Nationals organization: How much day-to-day influence will the front office have on the manager's office?
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...
Highlights of Nats' 2026 spring training schedule:
* 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL
* 2/23 home vs PHI
* 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI
* 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela
* 3/7 home vs NYY
* 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL
* 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore
* 3/23 vs O's in D.C.
* 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL
* 2/23 home vs PHI
* 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI
* 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela
* 3/7 home vs NYY
* 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL
* 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore
* 3/23 vs O's in D.C.
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Highlights of Nats' 2026 spring training schedule:
* 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL
* 2/23 home vs PHI
* 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI
* 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela
* 3/7 home vs NYY
* 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL
* 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore
* 3/23 vs O's in D.C.
* 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL
* 2/23 home vs PHI
* 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI
* 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela
* 3/7 home vs NYY
* 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL
* 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore
* 3/23 vs O's in D.C.
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
Not many people make the jump from a front office role in player development to first-time major league manager.
But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Butera's background in player development appealed to Toboni, Nats
Blake Butera has officially been the Nationals’ new manager for five days. But we won’t hear from the 33-year-old skipper for a couple of weeks while he and his wife, Caroline Margolis, get settled af...
www.masnsports.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Not many people make the jump from a front office role in player development to first-time major league manager.
But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Paul Toboni had never formally met Blake Butera before, but the Nats' new president of baseball operations already knew all about the 33-year-old before hiring him as his first manager, then was blown away during their interview.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
Toboni believes unique background made Butera best choice for Nats manager
Though he didn’t literally know Blake Butera before, Paul Toboni felt like he already knew all about the young man he just hired to be Nationals manager, long before either was employed by the franchi...
www.masnsports.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Paul Toboni had never formally met Blake Butera before, but the Nats' new president of baseball operations already knew all about the 33-year-old before hiring him as his first manager, then was blown away during their interview.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
Clarifying this: DeBartolo will be senior VP and assistant GM, overseeing baseball operations.
Paul Toboni said they won't be hiring a GM "for the time being." Mike DeBartolo will be senior VP for administration. New hire Devin Pearson will be asst. GM for player development, while Justin Horowitz will be asst. GM for acquisitions (amateur/pro/international).
November 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Clarifying this: DeBartolo will be senior VP and assistant GM, overseeing baseball operations.
Paul Toboni said he and Blake Butera will work together to hire a coaching staff. Said while prior MLB experience is a bonus, it's not required. Wasn't ready to comment on any previous Nats coaches being under consideration to return.
November 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Paul Toboni said he and Blake Butera will work together to hire a coaching staff. Said while prior MLB experience is a bonus, it's not required. Wasn't ready to comment on any previous Nats coaches being under consideration to return.
Paul Toboni said they won't be hiring a GM "for the time being." Mike DeBartolo will be senior VP for administration. New hire Devin Pearson will be asst. GM for player development, while Justin Horowitz will be asst. GM for acquisitions (amateur/pro/international).
November 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Paul Toboni said they won't be hiring a GM "for the time being." Mike DeBartolo will be senior VP for administration. New hire Devin Pearson will be asst. GM for player development, while Justin Horowitz will be asst. GM for acquisitions (amateur/pro/international).