sad news; Jesse Winker sacked by Nationals Manager Dave Martinez........

he move made sense in the moment: Nationals Manager Dave Martinez Nationals Manager Dave Martinez lifted Jesse Winker for a pinch hitter in the top of sixth with the bases loaded in a two-run game. St. Louis had brought in a left-hander and Winker is a lefty.

But Martinez’s move, though not intentional, also proved to be prudent: The Nationals, in the midst of a 14-3 win over the Cardinals, had dealt Winker to the New York Mets. The trade is pending a physical, according to a person familiar with the situation, and the return for the outfielder is not yet known.

Martinez said he didn’t know about the pending trade when he made the move. He simply liked the matchup.

“I’m excited, right?” Winker said after the game. “I’m going to be a part of a great team that’s been winning a lot. It’s a wonderful opportunity. And then, obviously, I’m extremely thankful for everybody here. The opportunity to come and play every day. I’m so thankful for Mike Rizz0 and Davey. They really took a chance on me and I feel like I owe them a lot for that.”

Tags: MLB