Mark Zuckerman

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in West Palm Beach

March 23, 2019, 6:20am

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We're down to the final two days of spring training, and that means a lot more Nationals regulars in the lineup, even when they were in the lineup the day before that. And the day before that. Davey Martinez has five players starting their third straight game today: Trea Turner, Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon, Brian Dozier and Victor Robles. The only guys who aren't returning for this day game after a night game are Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Eaton and Yan Gomes. With Eaton...

0 Hits

Comments

Tags:

Last couple of games offer clues to who will hit leadoff

March 22, 2019, 6:47pm

Nationals

Last couple of games offer clues to who will hit leadoff

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez says he knows who's going to hit leadoff for the Nationals on opening day. And he plans to keep that person atop his lineup most days. He's just not revealing yet who that person is, certainly not until he's had an opportunity to discuss it with both Trea Turner and Adam Eaton, the two obvious candidates. "These are conversations the next couple days I'm going to have with players," Martinez said. "You guys will know." If you want to read into...

131 Hits

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton davey martinez nationals nationals pastime spring training trea turner featured_sidebar

Scherzer strikes out 12 in final tune-up before opener

March 22, 2019, 6:45pm

Nationals

Scherzer strikes out 12 in final tune-up before opener

JUPITER, Fla. - Max Scherzer had been sitting in the dugout for a while in the top of the seventh, his Nationals teammates having sent seven men to the plate during a rally that included a mid-inning pitching change. It was a long wait, but Scherzer really wanted to pitch the bottom of the seventh and end his outing on a high note. Which he most certainly did. Scherzer struck out the first two Marlins he faced in the seventh, raising his game total to 12, and raising his fastball velocity to a...

136 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman max scherzer miami marlins nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Sipp confident he'll be ready for opener (Nats tie 5-5)

March 22, 2019, 12:44pm

Nationals

Sipp confident he'll be ready for opener (Nats tie 5-5)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Tony Sipp is confident he'll be ready to face big league hitters in big situations on opening day. Even if he doesn't face a big league hitter in spring training. Sipp, who didn't sign with the Nationals until March 13, faced live hitters for the first time Thursday, throwing 15 pitches and emerging feeling good about the state of his arm and repertoire. He said he plans to face hitters again on a back field Saturday, after which he should be game-ready. But because...

168 Hits

Comments

Tags:

kyle barraclough mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime sean doolittle spring training tony sipp trevor rosenthal featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter

March 22, 2019, 9:25am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. - As the days tick down on spring training, the days of lineups featuring backups and minor leaguers dwindle as well. Case in point: For the second straight night, the Nationals are using all of their regulars. There are only a couple minor tweaks from last night's lineup: Matt Adams is playing first base and batting sixth, with Ryan Zimmerman serving as DH tonight. And Yan Gomes, who was DH last night, is catching while Kurt Suzuki gets a rest. Otherwise, things are the same,...

0 Hits

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton lineups mark zuckerman matt adams max scherzer miami marlins nationals nationals pastime spring training trea turner frontstory_nationals3

Friday morning Nats Q&A

March 21, 2019, 6:36pm

Nationals

All right, we're down to the wire now, folks. The Nationals have three more game days here in Florida, then fly home Sunday night, then face the Yankees in D.C. on Monday, then get two days to rest up before the season opener against the Mets. There's another night game to be played this evening against the Marlins in Jupiter, so that frees us up this morning to take your questions on the team, on the spring, on the upcoming season and more. Submit your questions in the comments section...

0 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime q&a spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Doolittle returns to form, Hellickson wraps up strong spring

March 21, 2019, 6:32pm

Nationals

Doolittle returns to form, Hellickson wraps up strong spring

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It had been five days since Sean Doolittle last took the mound in a game, and the Nationals closer had spent much of those five days trying to figure out what went wrong during a five-run meltdown and how to correct it. But as soon as he fired his first pitch tonight, a 91-mph strike, Doolittle knew things were going to be just fine. "It's not quite where I want it to be, but that was definite improvement over last time," he said after tossing a scoreless ninth to cap...

188 Hits

Comments

Tags:

jeremy hellickson mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime sean doolittle spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Sipp, Kendrick likely to stay in Florida extra days (Nats win 7-1)

March 21, 2019, 3:17pm

Nationals

Sipp, Kendrick likely to stay in Florida extra days (Nats win 7-1)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals head north Sunday night following their Grapefruit League finale. Tony Sipp and Howie Kendrick might not make the trip, though both will be in Washington for opening day. With Sipp and Kendrick each hurriedly trying to get ready in time to make the opening day roster but running out of time to return to game action, the Nationals are making plans to have both veterans stay back in Florida and continue to work up until the last minute. Manager Davey Martinez...

264 Hits

Comments

Tags:

howie kendrick koda glover mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training tony sipp featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Taylor not surprised by quick progress from leg injuries

March 21, 2019, 12:45pm

Nationals

Taylor not surprised by quick progress from leg injuries

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Michael A. Taylor plans to take batting practice today, play catch from long-toss range and run on the synthetic agility field that sits outside the Nationals' spring training complex. He'll be doing this exactly one week after he sprained both his left knee and hip making a diving catch, an injury and diagnosis that prompted manager Davey Martinez to declare that Taylor was likely to "miss a significant amount of time." All of this seems to be catching everyone...

281 Hits

Comments

Tags:

injuries mark zuckerman michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals (ss) in West Palm Beach

March 21, 2019, 10:03am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals (ss) in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - After a day off, the Nationals return rested and refreshed for a night game against a Cardinals split-squad. And since everyone's rested and refreshed, all the regulars are in the lineup. Davey Martinez has been tinkering with both one-two combos, alternating between Adam Eaton and Trea Turner. He hasn't made up his mind yet how he'll arrange things for opening day, but tonight it's Eaton leading off and Turner batting second. We'll also see both catchers tonight,...

312 Hits

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton jeremy hellickson lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime st. louis cardinals trea turner frontstory_nationals1

What's left to decide as camp reaches the home stretch?

March 20, 2019, 2:26pm

Nationals

What's left to decide as camp reaches the home stretch?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - I think we can officially say we've reached the home stretch. Following yesterday's off-day, the Nationals now have only four more game days here in Florida before heading north for Monday's final exhibition against the Yankees in D.C. Opening day against the Mets is exactly one week away. So, yes, this is the home stretch of spring training. Which means it's decision time. The Nationals don't have a whole lot of significant decisions still to make, but they do have...

331 Hits

Comments

Tags:

howie kendrick justin miller mark zuckerman michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime spring training tony sipp wander suero featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Boring camp to date is exactly what Nationals needed

March 19, 2019, 7:42pm

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals are off today. It's only their second off-day of the entire spring. Which makes this a good time to hit the pause button and reflect on what has taken place in the five weeks since pitchers and catchers first reported. Are there any conclusions that can be drawn yet? Here's one: This has been an awfully boring camp. And I mean that in the most positive way. There simply hasn't been any drama in Nats camp this spring. None. What's the biggest...

232 Hits

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon davey martinez howie kendrick mark zuckerman max scherzer michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime spring training tony sipp featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

After long, rainy trip, SÃ¡nchez happy with start vs. Braves

March 19, 2019, 12:20pm

Nationals

After long, rainy trip, SÃ¡nchez happy with start vs. Braves

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The only thing drearier than the forecast was the prospect of the five-hour round trip from West Palm Beach for an exhibition game that might not even be played if the rain didn't let up. "Yeah, everybody was worrying about that," AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez said. "Especially hearing the team was driving many hours to be here. It's really uncomfortable for both sides." It may have been uncomfortable, but the Nationals and Braves did manage to play a nine-inning game this...

28 Hits

Comments

Tags:

anibal sanchez atlanta braves mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Weather pushes back prep for Kendrick, Sipp (Nats win 3-2)

March 19, 2019, 8:31am

Nationals

Weather pushes back prep for Kendrick, Sipp (Nats win 3-2)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - As the clock ticks down on spring training, Howie Kendrick and Tony Sipp are running out of time to make it onto the opening day roster. But they're not entirely out of time yet, and there remains optimism at least one of the two veterans will be ready for next Thursday's season opener against the Mets. Kendrick appears to face a tougher challenge, still needing to get at-bats and game action after two weeks of rehab from a strained left hamstring. The 35-year-old...

162 Hits

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez howie kendrick mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training tony sipp featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Braves in Lake Buena Vista

March 19, 2019, 6:37am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Braves in Lake Buena Vista

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Hello from Walt Disney World. This is the last time the Nationals are ever scheduled to come here, with the Braves relocating to North Port (on the Gulf Coast) next spring, and they may not even get a chance to make that five-hour round trip worth it because it's been raining all day. No word yet on the status of the game, so everyone's preparing as though they'll play, but it's certainly a question mark. The matchup, if it happens, is AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez against...

0 Hits

Comments

Tags:

anibal sanchez atlanta braves carter kieboom lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime victor robles frontstory_nationals1

On Zimmerman's running, Barrett's return and Gonzalez's signing

March 18, 2019, 7:35pm

Nationals

On Zimmerman's running, Barrett's return and Gonzalez's signing

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - There weren't a whole lot of positives to come out of the Nationals' 7-1 exhibition loss to the Marlins yesterday, but if you squinted hard enough you might have come away finding a few developments worth smiling about. For example: Ryan Zimmerman's baserunning. This isn't typically something that gets noticed, good or bad, but something noteworthy did happen during the bottom of the second inning. First up, Zimmerman beat out a grounder to third for an infield...

262 Hits

Comments

Tags:

aaron barrett dane dunning gio gonzalez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Relievers Hoover, Cordero among today's roster cuts

March 18, 2019, 2:25pm

Nationals

Relievers Hoover, Cordero among today's roster cuts

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals made another round of cuts following today's split-squad games, trimming their camp roster by six. Optioned to Triple-A Fresno were right-handers Austin Voth, Jimmy Cordero, Kyle McGowin and Tanner Rainey. Re-assigned to minor league camp were right-hander J.J. Hoover and outfielder Hunter Jones. The moves bring more clarity to the few remaining competitions for spots on the opening roster (in the bullpen and on the bench) as the Nationals enter the final...

384 Hits

Comments

Tags:

austin voth j.j. hoover jimmy cordero mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime roster spring training featured_sidebar hunter jones kyle mcgowin tanner rainey frontstory_nationals2

Corbin shakes off first-inning struggles

March 18, 2019, 12:48pm

Nationals

Corbin shakes off first-inning struggles

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Patrick Corbin has allowed 12 runs so far in 18 innings this spring, but more notable is the fact seven of those runs have been scored in the first inning of his starts. It's not uncommon for pitchers, especially the elite ones, to have more trouble in the first inning than any other frame. But this isn't common territory for Corbin, who last season with Arizona posted a sparkling 0.82 ERA in the first inning. So the left-hander isn't about to raise any red flags or...

217 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman miami marlins nationals nationals pastime patrick corbin spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Taylor playing catch, hitting off tee days after injury (Nats lose 7-1)

March 18, 2019, 8:24am

Nationals

Taylor playing catch, hitting off tee days after injury (Nats lose 7-1)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Only three days after his manager said he expected him to miss "a significant amount of time," Michael A. Taylor was back playing catch and taking light swings this morning at the Nationals' spring training complex, suggesting his sprained left knee and hip aren't as seriously hurt as initially feared. Mirroring the light workout he revealed he went through Sunday, Taylor stood on the synthetic "agility" field just outside the Nationals clubhouse this morning and...

222 Hits

Comments

Tags:

andrew stevenson mark zuckerman michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Split-squad lineups: Nats vs. Marlins and Mets

March 18, 2019, 5:56am

Nationals

Split-squad lineups: Nats vs. Marlins and Mets

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Split-squad games are a rite of spring training, but the Nationals haven't had one yet this year. That changes today, when half the team hosts the Marlins in West Palm Beach and the other half travels to Port St. Lucie to face the Mets (weather permitting). Fortunately we've got tag team coverage right now: I'll be writing about the home game, Byron Kerr will be writing about the road game. It's Patrick Corbin facing the Marlins in his second-to-last tune-up before...