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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

Matthew Paras was a digital sports writer for the Washington Times.

Articles by Matthew Paras

New York Mets shortstop Andres Gimenez, back center, tags out Washington Nationals Juan Soto as Soto tries to steal third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Max Scherzer’s hamstring injury spoils Juan Soto’s return in Nationals loss to Mets

Soto's season debut -- flair and all -- wasn't enough as Washington lost 3-1 to the New York Mets. The problem? Ace Max Scherzer was pulled after just one inning with a tweaked right hamstring. Speaking to reporters after the game, Scherzer called it a "minor injury." But the Nationals couldn't overcome it -- and a dominant performance from Mets starter Rick Porcello.

August 5, 2020
Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant, left, congratulates forward Troy Brown Jr., center, after making a basket against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP) ** FILE **

Playoff hopes all but gone, Wizards seeing needed development

Washington's time at Walt Disney World isn't over, but the team has seen encouraging growth in a few players, notably center Thomas Bryant and guard Troy Brown Jr. The three games have also given coach Scott Brooks a chance to experiment, and he plans to do it further in the games to come.

August 5, 2020
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Max Scherzer leaves Nationals game after just one inning

The Washington Nationals pulled starter Max Scherzer from the mound after just one inning in Wednesday's game against the New York Mets, replacing the 36-year-old ace with Erick Fedde. The team has not said if Scherzer has an injury, but there were troubling signs for Scherzer during his inning.

August 5, 2020
In this Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, file photo, trainers look examine Washington Redskins offensive guard Brandon Scherff (75) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The banged-up Redskins got some good news about Scherff’s knee injury with coach Jay Gruden saying there’s a chance Scherff can play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Scherff sprained the MCL in his left knee and hurt his lower back, one of several Redskins injuries from a 34-24 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)  **FILE**

Brandon Scherff aiming to take better care of body after injury history

Coming off season-ending injuries to his shoulder and elbow, Brandon Scherff said he wants to do a better job of taking care of his body. Scherff hasn't played a full 16-game slate since 2016 and has landed on injured reserve for the past two seasons. He played in 11 games last year and appeared in just eight in 2018.

August 5, 2020
FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2018, file photo, Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86), warm up before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, in Landover, Md. The Washington Redskins have released injury prone tight end Jordan Reed, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Washington creates $8.5 million in salary-cap by cutting ties with him. Reed missed all of last season with his fifth documented concussion of his seven-year NFL career. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Ravens ‘looking at’ Jordan Reed: report

Released from Washington in February, tight end Jordan Reed has yet to sign with a new team. But according to an NFL insider, the 30-year-old is a possible option for a Super Bowl contender.

August 3, 2020
In this Sept. 29, 2018, file photo, Stanford running back Bryce Love rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. The Washington Redskins on Saturday, April 27, 2019, selected Bryce Love 112th overall. Love is coming off tearing the ACL in his right knee in his final college game in December. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, file)

Bryce Love the forgotten man in Washington’s crowded running back competition

After missing his entire season while recovering from an ACL injury he sustained in college, Bryce Love is now healthy. The 23-year-old passed his physical last week, giving Washington another intriguing option in a crowded competition. At Stanford, Love was one of the nation's best runners -- finishing as a Heisman runner up in 2017, a year in which he ran for 2,118 yards on 263 carries.

August 2, 2020
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, right, talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield at the NFL football team's training camp facility, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Ken Zampese brings a sense of urgency to Washington’s quarterback room

Washington is now on the clock with two young quarterbacks of its own: incumbent Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen. Rivera has said Washington will have a "pure competition" to determine its starter. Quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese will play an instrumental part in the process, relaying information to the signal-callers and testing them to make sure they grasp it.

July 30, 2020
Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, right, drives against Sacramento Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Rui Hachimura stands to gain for Wizards in NBA’s restart

Sure, the Wizards are missing Bradley Beal, John Wall and Davis Bertans for the NBA's restart near Orlando. But Washington has long stressed that this year is about developing their youth first and foremost. With that in mind, here's a look at three players who could stand to gain the most over the next eight games.

July 30, 2020
Detroit Lions tight end Logan Thomas (82) scores a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Jeff Driskel, not visible, as Washington Redskins free safety Montae Nicholson (35) tries to bring him down in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ** FILE **

Logan Thomas, Washington tight end, placed on NFL’s COVID-19 list

The Washington Football Team placed tight end Logan Thomas on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, making him the first player from the club with that designation. Being placed on the list means Thomas, 29, either has coronavirus or was exposed to someone who has it.

July 29, 2020
FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, stands with forward Anthony Davis during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Los Angeles. James and Davis had the Lakers on course to contend for another NBA title before the coronavirus pandemic upended their first season together. The superstars see no reason they cant continue their quest in Orlando, and Davis even thinks the Lakers chances have improved.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

LeBron James takes center stage in NBA’s return

When the NBA restarts Thursday, the game will look familiar but there will be glaring differences -- for those who haven't tuned into the exhibition games. For one, no fans will be in attendance. Players are now socially distanced seating apart while on the bench. And the court will also feature "Black Lives Matter" painted on to the court, across from the center stripe.

July 29, 2020
Washington Wizards owner Irene Pollin, left, and minority owner Ted Leonsis pose for photographers after winning the NBA draft lottery, Tuesday, May 18, 2010, in Secaucus, N.J. The Wizards moved up from the No. 5 spot to earn the top pick in next month's draft, when it will likely choose between Kentucky freshman John Wall and national player of the year Evan Turner of Ohio State. (AP Photo) ** FILE **

Irene Pollin, former Wizards co-owner, dies at 96

Irene Pollin, the former co-owner of the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics, died Tuesday at her home in Amherst, Massachusetts, according to WTOP. She was 96.

July 29, 2020