Nothing surprising in the Washington Nationals’ first round of roster cuts, which were just announced this morning. Catcher Raudy Read (Triple-A Fresno) and reliever James Bourque (Double-A Harrisburg) were both optioned out to minor league affiliates, while right-handed reliever Ronald Peña, catcher Tres Barrera, starter Wil Crowe, infielder José Marmolejos, and outfielder Chuck Taylor were assigned to Minor League camp in advance of this afternoon’s Grapefruit League game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Read, 25, is the top-ranked catcher in the organization (on MLB Pipeline’s list). He is coming off a PED suspension last season that set his development back.