Mark Zuckerman

With full squad behind him, Barrett has an emotional return

February 23, 2019, 7:45pm

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - There's a generally accepted rule in spring training that veteran players need only stay in the dugout watching exhibition games until the mass substitutions start taking place, usually around the fourth inning or so during this first week of play. Ryan Zimmerman, though, spoke to his Nationals teammates before Saturday night's Grapefruit League opener and made it clear no one was to leave the dugout until the completion of the fifth inning, until Aaron Barrett had...

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Scherzer "fundamentally against" MLB's new pitch clock

February 23, 2019, 5:27pm

Nationals

Scherzer "fundamentally against" MLB's new pitch clock

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Max Scherzer hasn't been holding back this spring in his criticism of the state of baseball and the various theories and proposals that have been put forth in an attempt to address problem areas. And you can now add the pitch clock to his list of grievances. Scherzer voiced strong opposition tonight to Major League Baseball's latest change to improve pace of play, declaring himself "fundamentally against" the pitch clock after experiencing it for the first time...

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Scherzer serves up homer to first batter of spring (Nats win 7-6)

February 23, 2019, 2:52pm

Nationals

Scherzer serves up homer to first batter of spring (Nats win 7-6)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Max Scherzer served up a home run to the second batter he faced in Florida last spring, and everything worked out just fine for the Nationals ace by season's end. He can only hope this season will play out in a similar fashion after he served up a homer to the very first batter he faced tonight in his spring debut. Taking the ball for the Nationals' Grapefruit League opener against the Astros, Scherzer surrendered a towering homer over the center field wall to leadoff...

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Zimmerman slated to debut early next week

February 23, 2019, 12:26pm

Nationals

Zimmerman slated to debut early next week

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals are fielding a fairly representative lineup for tonight's Grapefruit League opener, with Adam Eaton, Howie Kendrick, Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon, Matt Adams and Yan Gomes among the guys starting against the Astros. Those regulars who aren't playing tonight will be seeing action within a matter of days, and that includes the guy who sat out most of spring training last year. Ryan Zimmerman is slated to make his 2019 debut early next week, according to...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

February 23, 2019, 9:24am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Yes, there's a ballgame being played tonight. At last. The Nationals host the Astros at their shared complex in the Grapefruit League opener for both teams, the first of six head-to-head matchups over the next month. They're going to get to know each other very well. There is a slight difference in the two teams' lineups for tonight's opener. A.J. Hinch doesn't have a whole lot of experience on his lineup card, though there are some top prospects in there. Davey...

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Nats, pitch clock debut tonight in Grapefruit League opener

February 22, 2019, 7:00pm

Nationals

Nats, pitch clock debut tonight in Grapefruit League opener

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's been a long, hard winter in Washington, especially for anyone associated with a Nationals club that has eagerly been waiting to put last season's disappointment behind them and start over fresh in 2019. Well, there's some good news to share: The Nationals are playing a ballgame tonight. Against another major league team. With a 20-second pitch clock making its debut. More on that pitch clock in just a moment, but we'll begin with the Grapefruit League opener...

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Final full-squad workout features situational drill, couple of close calls

February 22, 2019, 7:05am

Nationals

Final full-squad workout features situational drill, couple of close calls

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The final day of full-squad workouts before Grapefruit League play opens Saturday night saw the Nationals debut a new fundamentals drill that underscored their renewed emphasis on little things this spring. The entire team gathered on Field 3 for a situational defense and baserunning drill, one with a twist. Davey Martinez had mapped out 15 different game situations for everyone to simulate. Situations like: "Runners on first and second, nobody out, bunt play," or...

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Heeding advice from Scherzer, Glover healthy and motivated

February 22, 2019, 5:24am

Nationals

Heeding advice from Scherzer, Glover healthy and motivated

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Modern pitchers have had it drilled into their heads from the moment they become professionals. Take days off. Don't throw too much. Especially in the offseason. Give the arm time to recover before you ramp it up again. Koda Glover tried that, and all it got him was two mostly wasted seasons dealing with a rotator cuff injury. So this winter, after he had just made it through the second half of the season healthy, the Nationals reliever decided to try something...

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Low-key Corbin blending right in despite massive contract

February 21, 2019, 1:46pm

Nationals

Low-key Corbin blending right in despite massive contract

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The recipient of the largest contract given to a free agent pitcher this winter strolls through the Nationals clubhouse without drawing any attention. He's just one of the guys. When reporters and fans cluster around the bullpen or one of the practice fields to watch this team's big-name pitchers throw, they seek out Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg or even Sean Doolittle, all instantly recognizable figures. Patrick Corbin? He's out there with everyone else, but the...

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Kendrick, Taylor will start spring opener; Gomes sent home sick

February 21, 2019, 9:48am

Nationals

Kendrick, Taylor will start spring opener; Gomes sent home sick

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If there was any concern about the injuries Howie Kendrick and Michael A. Taylor spent the winter rehabbing from preventing them from participating fully in spring training, those fears should be quashed. Both Kendrick (returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon) and Taylor (who suffered hip and oblique injuries this winter in the Dominican Republic) will be in Saturday night's starting lineup for the Nationals' Grapefruit League opener against the Astros. The Nats...

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After injury-plagued winter, Taylor hopes new swing pays off

February 21, 2019, 5:13am

Nationals

After injury-plagued winter, Taylor hopes new swing pays off

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Michael A. Taylor went to the Dominican Republic in early December, the rare major league veteran who was willing to go play winter ball for the Gigantes del Cibao and try to implement some significant changes he and Nationals hitting coach Kevin Long made to his swing at the end of the 2018 season. It should've been a great proving ground for Taylor to try out those changes and allow him to report for spring training ahead of the curve. But two days in, Taylor pulled...

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Martinez challenges Turner to reach a lofty stolen base goal

February 20, 2019, 5:24pm

Nationals

Martinez challenges Turner to reach a lofty stolen base goal

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez called Trea Turner into his office this week and told the speedy shortstop he wants him to attempt more stolen bases this season. How many? Let's just say even the ultra-aggressive Turner was taken aback. "Yeah, he gave me a number," Turner said. "And I was like: 'Wow, all right.'" Martinez later revealed to assembled reporters that he thinks if Turner "attempts 75-80, we'll be in great shape." If Turner's able to pull that off, he'd be in...

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Day two of workouts: More live BP and Bobby Orr

February 20, 2019, 11:46am

Nationals

Day two of workouts: More live BP and Bobby Orr

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Day two of full-squad workouts at Nationals camp looked a lot like day one. Aside from the Hockey Hall of Famer in attendance this time. We'll get to Bobby Orr in just a moment. But first, the actual baseball stuff. Just as they did Tuesday, the Nats emerged from their morning "Circle of Trust" meeting and fanned out across the practice fields outside FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches to begin stretching and throwing. Infielders took grounders. Outfielders worked...

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Involved Rendon wants to keep up contract talks with Nats

February 20, 2019, 10:27am

Nationals

Involved Rendon wants to keep up contract talks with Nats

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If he had his way, Anthony Rendon would never have to field a question about his pending free agency and ongoing talks with the Nationals about a long-term extension that would prevent him from ever becoming a free agent. But Rendon, as media-averse as anyone on the Nats roster, understands that won't be the case this year. Just as it was with Bryce Harper last season, this is going to loom over him throughout 2018. And that's just not his cup of tea. "Definitely. I...

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Middle infielders' get-to-know-you process starts now

February 20, 2019, 5:21am

Nationals

Middle infielders' get-to-know-you process starts now

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Brian Dozier and Trea Turner took their respective positions in the middle of the infield Tuesday morning and began the daily routine of fielding grounders. That soon morphed into double play turns, then drills that involved the entire Nationals infield, then the entire defense. Thus began the first step in building one of the most important relationships in baseball: second baseman and shortstop. Everyone has to go through it, and there's always a learning curve. It's...

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After watching Soto, Robles seeks to realize his own potential

February 19, 2019, 6:17pm

Nationals

After watching Soto, Robles seeks to realize his own potential

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It was both the greatest thing and the worst thing that could've happened from Victor Robles' perspective. Juan Soto's remarkable rookie season inspired his fellow Dominican outfielder, who knows he's about to get the same opportunity the Nationals gave the 19-year-old last year. But Robles also knows Soto set the bar so high as a rookie that some might just assume he's now capable of duplicating it himself. "It was very impressive, without a doubt," Robles said,...

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First full workout includes extra work in field, live BP showdown

February 19, 2019, 11:37am

Nationals

First full workout includes extra work in field, live BP showdown

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals' first full-squad workout of 2019 featured some familiar sights (the daily "Circle of Trust" meeting, lots of defensive fundamental drills, live batting practice). It also featured some noticeable changes from last spring: Max Scherzer throwing two simulated "innings" to live hitters already, several instances when players were instructed to re-do a particular drill if it wasn't done flawlessly the first time. "It was great," manager Davey Martinez...

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With Machado heading to San Diego, attention turns to Harper

February 19, 2019, 9:25am

Nationals

With Machado heading to San Diego, attention turns to Harper

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The first domino in the never-ending free agent stalemate of 2019 has finally fallen. Manny Machado has agreed to a 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres, according to multiple reports this afternoon. Which means Bryce Harper is now on the clock, and the bar for his eventual contract has been set by San Diego. The Machado news broke as the Nationals' first full-squad workout was in its final stages, and word spread quickly through the complex. For veteran players...

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Nats full squad ready to take field for first time today

February 18, 2019, 1:09pm

Nationals

Nats full squad ready to take field for first time today

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Pitchers have each thrown at least two bullpen sessions. Catchers have begun to get acquainted with each of those pitchers and establish some rapport. Now it's time for the rest of the Nationals roster to join them on the field. The Nats will hold their first official full-squad workout this morning, all position players having reported on time and all having passed their physicals Monday. And it's not a moment too soon for those who are eager to get the meaty portion...

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After sensational rookie season, Soto ready for added pressure

February 18, 2019, 10:41am

Nationals

After sensational rookie season, Soto ready for added pressure

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Juan Soto strode into the Nationals clubhouse this morning with all the swagger you expect from him. He gave hugs to teammates he hadn't seen since September, shared offseason stories and confidently conducted a lengthy interview with reporters in English. He was, in every way, a major league ballplayer completely comfortable in his surroundings. Which was all the more remarkable when you consider he'd never been in those surroundings before. Soto, you may recall,...