Despite issues towards the end of last season, Jonathan Papelbon's Washington Nationals teammates don't anticipate any problems for the closer in 2016.
Papelbon missed the last seven games of the season serving two suspensions, one for throwing at Manny Machado and the other for fighting Bryce Harper in the dugout during a game.
Washington players and coaches -- speaking on the condition of anonymity -- point out that dust-ups between teammates happen more than the public knows.
"We have arguments and fights and move on," said a Nationals player recently. "I don't think it'll affect the clubhouse. I think, as a clubhouse, it'll be fine. It's water under the bridge. [Harper and Papelbon] don't have to go to dinner or everything but the goal is try and win."
Mike Rizzo has stressed that Harper and Papelbon can co-exist as teammates, even volunteering that Harper extended an olive branch to Papelbon with a phone call this offseason.