Mark Zuckerman

Older, wiser Strasburg less worried about velocity than in past

March 12, 2019, 8:38pm

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's the simplest pitch in baseball. A first-pitch fastball, preferably taken for strike one. But it's also the most predictable pitch in baseball. And it has burned Stephen Strasburg enough times over the years to convince him to start trying something different. So during his Tuesday night outing against the Astros, Strasburg often eschewed that first-pitch fastball and instead opened up at-bats with a breaking ball or a changeup. "I've always had a lot of...

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Kieboom enjoys two-homer night vs. Verlander

March 12, 2019, 6:45pm

Nationals

Kieboom enjoys two-homer night vs. Verlander

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Carter Kieboom stepped to the plate in the bottom of the second tonight, dug in and stared out at a pitcher who needed no introduction. Yes, that was Justin Verlander, future Hall of Famer, preparing to deliver a pitch to Kieboom, potential future infielder for the Nationals. The gap in experience was striking: When Verlander made his first career World Series start for the 2006 Tigers, Kieboom had just turned 9. "I think I'd be lying if I said I didn't know who was...

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Union chief says players are "engaged and unified" (Nats win 5-3)

March 12, 2019, 2:01pm

Nationals

Union chief says players are "engaged and unified" (Nats win 5-3)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As he has traveled across Arizona and Florida this spring, Tony Clark has spoken with players from countless ballclubs that were criticized for a lack of spending during the offseason. When he walked into the Nationals clubhouse today, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association found a group of players who shouldn't have had as much reason to criticize, given the aggressive approach to free agency this team took all winter. And yet the...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

March 12, 2019, 10:08am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have another night game this evening, one of five on the schedule this spring. And this one is worthy of a primetime matchup, because it's Stephen Strasburg versus Justin Verlander. Strasburg makes his third Grapefruit League start, and he has yet to surrender a run in six innings of work. He'll look to continue that run tonight and extend himself deeper into the game. Verlander will be facing a Nationals lineup that doesn't include many big names. With...

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Tuesday morning Nats Q&A

March 11, 2019, 7:02pm

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have another night game this evening, so that means there's some free time this morning. And since it's been a while since we did one of these, how about we take advantage of the free time for a spring training version of the Q&A? Submit your questions in the comments section below, then check back for my answers. I'll do my best to offer up some insight (provided I actually have some).

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Scherzer extends to 75 pitches, officially gets opening day nod

March 11, 2019, 1:20pm

Nationals

Scherzer extends to 75 pitches, officially gets opening day nod

JUPITER, Fla. - The question didn't really need to be asked, and the answer didn't really need to be given. But at this point, with 2 1/2 weeks to go, Davey Martinez figured he might as well make it official. "I'm going to go out on a limb today and tell you that Max will be our opening day starter," the manager said this afternoon to open his postgame session following the Nationals' 3-2 exhibition loss to the Cardinals. "How's that?" OK, so there was never any doubt about this one....

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Kendrick resumes light work but faces tight timeline (Nats lose 3-2)

March 11, 2019, 7:50am

Nationals

Kendrick resumes light work but faces tight timeline (Nats lose 3-2)

JUPITER, Fla. - Though his chances of returning from a strained left hamstring in time to make the Nationals' opening day roster are questionable, Howie Kendrick is beginning to take some steps toward his return. Kendrick, who hurt himself running down the first base line six days ago, has begun riding a stationary bicycle and taking swings in the batting cage. Those are merely the first attempts at physical activity before he's cleared to ramp things up. "He's coming along," manager Davey...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in Jupiter

March 11, 2019, 6:00am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. - There's nothing at stake this afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, but fans will be treated to a very nice spring training matchup featuring a whole lot of big names. Max Scherzer makes his fourth start of the spring, and he'll be going up against a Cardinals lineup loaded with regulars. That means Matt Carpenter, Paul Goldschmidt, Marcell Ozuna, JosÃ© MartÃnez, Yadier Molina and more. Not a bad test for Scherzer, who struggled a bit in his last outing against the...

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Garcia dazzles, Miller returns, Rosenthal survives

March 10, 2019, 6:23pm

Nationals

Garcia dazzles, Miller returns, Rosenthal survives

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - More thoughts and observations from Sunday's 6-4 exhibition victory over the Astros ... * Teenage prospect Luis Garcia finally had the breakout game many had been waiting to see all spring, and it indeed was something to see. Garcia, the 18-year-old shortstop who is the youngest player in any big league camp this spring, hadn't made a lot of noise in his first few weeks, with three hits in his first 15 at-bats. But he dazzled on Sunday, going 3-for-3 with his first two...

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Quick-pitching Hellickson finding early spring success

March 10, 2019, 12:52pm

Nationals

Quick-pitching Hellickson finding early spring success

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Pitching is about disrupting a hitter's timing, which traditionally is done via the changing of pitch speeds. But it can't hurt to try changing the speed of the actual delivery to the plate, which is exactly what Jeremy Hellickson is up to this spring. Owner of a fastball that tops out at 90 mph, the Nationals right-hander knows he needs to find some other methods for keeping a hitter off-balance. So he's been tinkering around with a quick-pitch the last few weeks,...

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Sanchez getting first chance in outfield today (Nats win 6-4)

March 10, 2019, 9:09am

Nationals

Sanchez getting first chance in outfield today (Nats win 6-4)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - AdriÃ¡n Sanchez has already proven himself a valuable fill-in when the Nationals need help in the infield. Now he's trying to prove himself capable of filling in when the Nats need outfield assistance. Sanchez is starting in left field this afternoon, his first foray into the outfield this spring but possibly not his last. With veteran second baseman/left fielder Howie Kendrick in danger of opening the season on the injured list due to a hamstring strain, there could...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

March 10, 2019, 6:38am

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's a quick turnaround for the Nationals, who following last night's 2-1 loss to the Marlins lost an hour due to daylight saving time and now are right back to work today against the Astros. At least they don't have to travel anywhere for this "road" game against their ballpark mates. Jeremy Hellickson gets the start, and he has been very effective so far in two previous outings this spring, allowing one run on three hits over five total innings, striking out...

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Martinez may give Scherzer, Strasburg extra rest in April

March 09, 2019, 4:25pm

Nationals

Martinez may give Scherzer, Strasburg extra rest in April

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Don't just assume you're going to get that blockbuster Max Scherzer vs. Bryce Harper matchup in the latter's return to Washington as a visiting player. Tempting as it may be to send Scherzer (and then Stephen Strasburg) to the mound for the Nationals' April 2-3 games against Harper and the Phillies, manager Davey Martinez might decide to take advantage of the plethora of early April off-days on the schedule and give his top two starters some extra rest. When...

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SÃ¡nchez impresses with parade of ground balls (Nats lose 2-1)

March 09, 2019, 2:46pm

Nationals

SÃ¡nchez impresses with parade of ground balls (Nats lose 2-1)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - This is exactly what the Nationals had in mind when they signed AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez this winter. A bunch of zeroes on the scoreboard. A bunch of different types of pitches thrown at different speeds. And a bunch of groundball outs. Whether SÃ¡nchez can carry the success he enjoyed tonight in a Grapefruit League outing against the Marlins into a regular season start a few weeks from remains to be seen. But the veteran right-hander certainly put forth a template tonight...

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SolÃs caught "completely off-guard" by abrupt release

March 09, 2019, 11:21am

Nationals

SolÃs caught "completely off-guard" by abrupt release

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Sammy SolÃs' long and often erratic tenure with the Nationals came to an abrupt conclusion this afternoon when the organization that drafted the left-hander nine years ago gave him his unconditional release. Manager Davey Martinez explained the timing of the move as a reflection of the depth of other bullpen arms currently in camp, but there also was financial incentive behind the transaction. By releasing SolÃs today, the Nationals are responsible only for...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in West Palm Beach (SolÃs released)

March 09, 2019, 8:58am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in West Palm Beach (SolÃs released)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Hello again from FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. I'm back here for the remainder of the spring. Many thanks to Pete Kerzel for filling in during my mid-camp break. Just arrived at the ballpark and there's already significant news to report: Sammy SolÃs has been unconditionally released. While this may seem to come out of the blue for many, this really wasn't a complete shock. From the moment the Nationals chose to tender the left-hander a contract over the...

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The inevitable end of the Bryce Harper era in Washington

February 28, 2019, 3:18pm

Nationals

The inevitable end of the Bryce Harper era in Washington

This day, in spite of what his most ardent fans hoped, was always bound to come. From the moment the Nationals drafted him No. 1 in the country nearly nine years ago, folks began speculating where Bryce Harper would end up playing once he became a free agent. Would it be New York, home to the most historically successful franchise and some of the most historically important players in baseball? Would it be Chicago, home to an iconic franchise and ballpark with a clubhouse already full of young...

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Harper heading to Philly for 13 years, $330 million (updated)

February 28, 2019, 10:41am

Nationals

Harper heading to Philly for 13 years, $330 million (updated)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Bryce Harper finally has selected his new home. He's going to Philadelphia. For a really long time. Harper agreed to terms today with the Phillies on a 13-year, $330 million contract, according to a source familiar with the deal. The contract, which is pending a physical, includes no opt-out clauses and guarantees he'll play in Philadelphia through the 2031 season, when he'll be 39 years old. Fancred's Jon Heyman was first to report the signing. The deal also means the...

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Adams leads offensive charge at Fenway South (Nats lose 13-5)

February 28, 2019, 9:34am

Nationals

Adams leads offensive charge at Fenway South (Nats lose 13-5)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Max Scherzer wasn't the only veteran who made the long trip across Alligator Alley for today's game against the Red Sox. Matt Adams is here as well. And like Scherzer, he's making the most of it. Batting cleanup and starting at first base, Adams launched a second-inning home run that cleared the stands down the right field line and departed jetBlue Park altogether. He added an RBI double down the right field line in the top of the third, helping the Nationals open up a 5-0...

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Martinez on Robles and Taylor: "They're both going to play"

February 28, 2019, 7:18am

Nationals

Martinez on Robles and Taylor: "They're both going to play"

FORT MYERS, Fla. - If there is a significant competition in Nationals camp this spring, it's in center field, with top prospect Victor Robles trying to prove he's ready for the starting job ahead of the erratic Michael A. Taylor. And though it's too early for any hard decisions about the fate of that competition, manager Davey Martinez pointed out today what's probably the understood truth but might get overlooked by those wanting to see one of the two seize the job. "Here's the deal with...