Health to play major role in Nationals' fortunes

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Opening Day on Thursday marks the beginning of the Nationals’ first full season in their new chapter following last year’s Trade Deadline roster overhaul.

Anchored by All-Star slugger Juan Soto, the Nats are continuing to develop their young talents while surrounding them with the proven experience of veteran teammates, notably the free-agent addition of Nelson Cruz.

Many questions still remain as Spring Training nears its close, including who will round out Washington’s starting rotation and fill the closer's role. As such, expect the look of the roster to change throughout the season.

Here are a few key questions and predictions for the Nats’ 2022 season.

What needs to go right?
The significance of health cannot be emphasized enough. The starting rotation is down Stephen Strasburg (more on him below) and Joe Ross to start the season. Back-end reliever Will Harris is still working his way back from injury. Carter Kieboom, who was competing for the third-base role, is on the 60-day IL, and super utility player Ehire Adrianza was sidelined late in camp. The Nationals do not want to rush prospect debuts for the sake of filling a roster spot, so the availability of the Major Leaguers will be key.

Great unknown
Strasburg’s health remains a massive question mark for the Nationals’ starting rotation for the third season in a row. Since being named MVP of the 2019 World Series, the right-hander has pitched just 26 2/3 innings because of season-ending carpal tunnel surgery in ‘20 and season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in ‘21. The Nats have been taking a cautious approach in Spring Training. Strasburg has not appeared in a game and there is no timetable set for his ‘22 debut. Manager Dave Martinez has projected Strasburg could make between 20 and 25 starts this season.

Team MVP will be ...
Not only is Soto the pick for Nationals’ team MVP, he also is a top contender to take National League honors. Soto finished second in NL MVP voting last season, and he is poised to be right back in the race again this year. His production could pop even more this season batting in the No. 2 spot, notably where recent MVP winners have hit as well.

Team Cy Young will be …
Patrick Corbin is one of the few locks from last year, and the southpaw is eyeing a return to 2019 form after recording the highest ERA among all pitchers in ‘21. Said Corbin, “I know that the last couple years were terrible. I’ve moved past it, and I feel good about where I’m at.” He was named the Opening Day starter on Saturday.

Bold prediction
Victor Robles wins an NL Gold Glove Award. Martinez has noted a correlation between Robles' performance at the plate and in the field. In just two years, Robles' journey went from being a 2019 Gold Glove Award finalist -- in which he led all players in outs above average -- to finishing '21 in Triple-A. This season, Robles is looking to boost his offensive production with a revamped swing, and Martinez has attested, "I want Victor to be our center fielder."