Rizzo is still in ownership negotiations, according to three people with knowledge of his situation. Asked Wednesday about his contract status in a radio interview with 106.7 The Fan, Rizzo said: “This has been my home for 17 years. I’ve been here since 2006 and plan to be here for a long time.” time beyond that. But when he returns, as many in the organization expect, his operation will look very different.
DiPuglia, who was hired in the fall of 2009, was one of Rizzo’s closest confidantes in the organization. Among the 10 scouts released, six – John Mirabelli, Mike Pagliuaro, Jon Weil, Willie Fraser, Matt Ruebel and Jeff Harris – were special assistants to Rizzo. Their departure is first reported via The Athletic. The other four scouts are members of the international department: Mike Cadahia (director of international operations), Alex Rodriguez (Latin American crosschecker), Jose Pepe Ortega (scout of the Dominican Republic) and David Leer (scout of Aruba).
More turnover could be on the way, according to several people familiar with the club’s plans, potentially affecting the amateur scouting department and player development staff. With DiPuglia and Cadahia gone, two of DiPuglia’s top lieutenants, Fausto Severino and Modesto Ulloa, continued to influence the international side. This season, the Nationals’ Dominican Summer League team finished with an 11-39 record (worst in the league) and a -140 run differential (second worst).
Since Nationals ownership began exploring selling the franchise in April 2022, the most stability appears to be at the major league level. Late last month, Manager Dave Martinez signed a two-year extension with a team option for a third season. That would lend him a little more influence moving forward, especially with regard to his coaching staff. But on the field, the Nationals (63-77) bounced back after a strong six-week stretch after the all-star break.
Wednesday’s win snapped a six-game losing streak. It also ensured that the team would not lose 100 games for the second year in a row. Young’s first career hit came after four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. However, the Nationals dropped eight of 10.
“He’s one of many who will come in and help us win games,” Martinez said of the 24-year-old Young. “I’m happy for him. I am happy with our club. What I always say: These guys don’t quit. We are there, we are there, we are there and they are back. Losing a team, especially one of our young prospects, is unusual. “
Joan Adon, Washington’s 25-year-old starter, gave up two runs on six hits in five innings. The first of those runs, however, only scored two batters in the top of the first, continuing a troubling trend. In their past six games, the Nationals have been chasing at least one run before even getting a chance to bat. And when they got into the box, their offense failed to close the gaps.
Lane Thomas, the team’s best hitter, sat out again against the Mets (64-75) due to back tightness. The hope is that, with four consecutive days off, he will return when Washington hosts the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. Without him, the Nationals logged six hits and two runs against José Butto, who entered with 18â…” major league innings to his name. Dominic Smith, facing his former team, collected three of the hits. Butto, a 25-year-old righty, worked 6â…“ innings, exiting with runners on the corners and one out in the seventh.
Trevor Gott, facing his former club, came in for the Mets. Ildemaro Vargas, pinch-hitting for Alex Call, greeted him with an RBI single that cut the two-run deficit in half. Two batters later, CJ Abrams tied the score with an RBI single up the middle. He quickly followed up with his 40th steal. In the bottom of the eighth, Riley Adams pinch-hit for Travis Blankenhorn and exited in the middle of the at-bat with what appeared to be a left-hand injury. Adams will undergo an MRI on Thursday to assess the extent of the injury.
As for the deciding rally, it came when Phil Bickford walked Carter Kieboom and struck out Jake Alu with no outs in the ninth. Vargas, the next batter, dropped a sacrifice bunt to move two runners into scoring position. But only one needed to score, which Young managed by chopping one through a drawn-in infield. And so a terrible day for the organization ended with a comeback victory.
“When I hit it, I saw where I hit it and it was a good spot,” said Young, who celebrated with a bubble gum bucket on his head. “It was great to see the dugout and everyone coming out. It’s a great feeling, all your children are exhausted.”