Mark Zuckerman

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter (Arroyo scratched from start)

March 16, 2016, 6:38am

JUPITER, Fla. - Hello from Roger Dean Stadium, where the Nationals seem to play every other day in March. They're back today to face the Marlins, with several regulars having made the drive down from Viera. That includes Ryan Zimmerman, who today makes his spring debut at first base. Zimmerman served as designated hitter twice earlier in the week and showed no ill effects of the plantar fasciitis that plagued him last season, so he's good to play in the field today for the first time. Bronson...

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Morning leftovers on Burnett, Murphy, Moore and Sizemore

March 16, 2016, 3:11am

Nationals

Morning leftovers on Burnett, Murphy, Moore and Sizemore

VIERA, Fla. - Some morning leftovers to chew on as the Nationals make the drive down to Jupiter for today's game against the Marlins ... * He's been under the radar a bit, but Sean Burnett continues to impress this spring and is making a serious case for himself three years after he last pitched out of the Nationals bullpen. Burnett tossed a scoreless inning yesterday in Kissimmee, his fourth scoreless appearance of the spring. He has faced 12 total batters, retiring 10 of them. And the only...

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Despite 0-for-17 spring, Danny Espinosa "not overly concerned"

March 15, 2016, 1:36pm

Nationals

Despite 0-for-17 spring, Danny Espinosa "not overly concerned"

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - It has been Danny Espinosa's nemesis for more than three seasons now, occasionally disappearing but almost always resurfacing to raise doubts about the Nationals infielder. And it is rearing its ugly head again this spring. Espinosa's left-handed swing, the one thing that has kept him from long-term success in the big leagues, remains an issue right now. After an 0-for-3 afternoon in the Nationals' 6-4 win over the Astros - to be fair, two of the outs came on bunts - he now...

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Gonzalez laments "boneheaded mistakes" in latest start (Nats win 6-4)

March 15, 2016, 11:41am

Nationals

Gonzalez laments "boneheaded mistakes" in latest start (Nats win 6-4)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 6, Astros 4 Recap: Gio Gonzalez was efficient for a couple innings but then started having trouble finding the strike zone, leading to four walks. That said, only one Houston batter crossed the plate against the lefty: Marwin Gonzalez, who homered to lead off the fourth. The Nationals already owned a 3-0 lead at that point, thanks to RBI doubles by Daniel Murphy and Michael A. Taylor in the top of the third. There were opportunities for more offense,...

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Zimmerman ready to play first base for first time this spring

March 15, 2016, 8:10am

Nationals

Zimmerman ready to play first base for first time this spring

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman will make his spring debut at first base Wednesday, an important milestone for the Nationals, who also are making sure they're exploring several backup options at the position in case they're needed. Zimmerman has been taking a slow approach to his preparation this spring, not wanting to aggravate the plantar fasciitis in his left foot that plagued him most of the 2015 season. Though he has taken grounders at first base and participated in most team defensive...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in Kissimmee

March 14, 2016, 1:10pm

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in Kissimmee

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Hello everybody, and a pleasant good morning to you from central Florida. Glad to be back down here - after a short break - for the duration of the spring. Thanks to Pete Kerzel for holding down the fort in my absence. When last we spoke, the Nationals were only 2 1/2 weeks into camp, having played only four Grapefruit League games. Since then, they have begun to trim their roster, stretch out their starting pitchers and worked everyone into the lineup (including guys like...

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Strasburg strikes out five in two-inning spring debut (Nats win 8-4)

March 05, 2016, 10:01am

Nationals

Strasburg strikes out five in two-inning spring debut (Nats win 8-4)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 8, Tigers 4 Recap: Stephen Strasburg struck out five over two innings in his first spring training start, but did give up a two-run homer to Bryan Holaday. Reliever A.J. Cole also was victimized by a blast from Holaday, who is making a bid for early Grapefruit League MVP honors (he's hitting .750 with three homers and eight RBIs so far). Ben Revere hit a two-run homer to right field for the Nationals, showing that he can occasionally flash some pop to go...

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Union chief Clark offers support for Desmond, Zimmerman

March 05, 2016, 8:24am

Nationals

Union chief Clark offers support for Desmond, Zimmerman

VIERA, Fla. - Major League Baseball Players Association chief Tony Clark said it was "disheartening" to watch Ian Desmond's unemployment saga play out this winter and into the start of spring training and suggested the sport's qualifying offer system that contributed to it would be a point of emphasis during his coming bargaining negotiations with the league. In town this morning for the union's annual spring meeting with Nationals players, Clark spoke glowingly about Desmond and was...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Tigers in Viera

March 05, 2016, 5:22am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Tigers in Viera

VIERA, Fla. - The sight of Jordan Zimmermann taking the mound at Space Coast Stadium isn't particularly jarring. The sight of Jordan Zimmermann taking the mound at Space Coast Stadium wearing an old English D on his cap, however, is going to be quite jarring. In a surprising twist of fate, Zimmermann will be making his Tigers debut this afternoon against the organization he departed after nine seasons (the last six in the major leagues). Former Nationals teammates say they'll be happy to see...

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Saturday morning Q&A from Viera

March 04, 2016, 6:10pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Last week's Saturday Q&A was such a hit, it seems like this might just have to turn into a recurring thing around here. Not sure I can promise this will happen every single Saturday all season long, but let's definitely go for Round 2 this morning. It's been quite an interesting spring so far here in Viera. Dusty Baker is making his imprint on the Nationals. Several young players are making early statements about their value to the franchise, not only in the long-term but...

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Giolito cool as always in first Grapefruit League appearance

March 04, 2016, 12:10pm

Nationals

Giolito cool as always in first Grapefruit League appearance

JUPITER, Fla. - Lucas Giolito had plenty of time to think about this, his first appearance against a major league club in a spring training game. Way more time than usual. A starter throughout his amateur and now brief professional career, the 21-year-old found himself sitting nervously in the right field bullpen at Roger Dean Stadium this afternoon for 4 1/2 long innings before it was his turn to take the mound. Such is life for a young prospect in his first big league camp, with veterans Gio...

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Gonzalez sharp, Arroyo labors in spring debuts (Marlins walk off Nats)

March 04, 2016, 10:37am

Nationals

Gonzalez sharp, Arroyo labors in spring debuts (Marlins walk off Nats)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Marlins 5, Nationals 4 Recap: Gio Gonzalez was effective in his spring debut, tossing two scoreless innings while allowing two singles. Bronson Arroyo, on the other hand, looked quite rusty in his first game appearance since June 2014, after which he needed Tommy John surgery. The 39-year-old right-hander gave up two runs on four hits and two walks during his two innings of relief, with a fastball that registered in the low-to-mid 80s. Contrast that with Lucas...

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Baker on Bonds the coach, plus other pregame notes

March 04, 2016, 7:37am

Nationals

Baker on Bonds the coach, plus other pregame notes

JUPITER, Fla. - Some pregame notes to whet your appetite before the Nationals and Marlins get going here at Roger Dean Stadium ... * Trea Turner is in the lineup today, starting at second base. We've already seen him at shortstop early this spring. I asked Dusty Baker if he wants to see him play both positions. "I talked to him about it. I talked to other people about it. I just want to see him play," Baker said. "The fact he can play short and second, which a lot of people can't,...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter

March 03, 2016, 6:41pm

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. - Early spring training games typically are more about pitching than hitting, and that may apply even more this afternoon than usual when the Nationals face the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. They'll be sending three prominent starting pitchers to the mound in this game, each of them for two innings: Gio Gonzalez, Bronson Arroyo and Lucas Giolito. Gonzalez has nothing really to prove this spring; he simply needs to get himself prepared for the regular season. But this is a very...

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New-look top of Nats lineup produces in first spring game

March 03, 2016, 12:26pm

Nationals

New-look top of Nats lineup produces in first spring game

VIERA, Fla. - Daniel Murphy knew he'd be the center of attention today in the Nationals' spring home opener. Not because this was his first game appearance with his new team, but because it just happened to come against his old team. Murphy seemed a bit uncomfortable with all the attention he received, especially from the more than dozen Mets reporters who crowded around him outside the Nats clubhouse after he departed the game. Ultimately, Murphy felt most at ease on the field, especially...

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Vanilla is tasty enough for Scherzer in spring start vs. Mets (Nats win 9-4)

March 03, 2016, 10:15am

Nationals

Vanilla is tasty enough for Scherzer in spring start vs. Mets (Nats win 9-4)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 9, Mets 4 Recap: The first of at least 25 head-to-head meetings in 2016 (six in spring training, 19 in the regular season) between these National League East rivals didn't have near the importance that future showdowns likely will, but the Nationals happily put together a quality performance all around to thump the defending division champs. Their new-look lineup burst out of the gates for four runs in the bottom of the first against right-hander Rafael...

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Netting expanding to far edge of dugouts at Nationals Park

March 03, 2016, 6:43am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals are expanding the netting behind the plate at their ballpark this season in response to Major League Baseball's recent push for better fan safety. The netting at Nationals Park, which previously sat between the two dugouts, now will extend to the far end of each dugout. "In December, Major League Baseball released new guidelines regarding field netting," said Jennifer Giglio, Nationals vice president of communications. "An internal review of those guidelines led...

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Wilson Ramos returns to D.C. for LASIK surgery

March 03, 2016, 5:40am

Nationals

Wilson Ramos returns to D.C. for LASIK surgery

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos left camp this morning and returned to Washington, D.C., for LASIK eye surgery in an attempt to improve his vision. Ramos didn't suffer from any injury or ailment, manager Dusty Baker said. The problem simply was discovered during the annual eye exam all players are given as part of their spring training physical. "They just discovered it," Baker said. "That's the reason why they didn't do it earlier, when you do the exams and all that stuff....

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Viera

March 03, 2016, 3:18am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Viera

VIERA, Fla. - There will be far more at stake when the Nationals and Mets for the first time in the regular season in May (and each time through September, perhaps beyond), but any time these two rivals get together on the diamond, it's worth a little extra attention. After the way things played out last year, this has become by far the best current rivalry in the National League East. After a 6-2 victory over the Rays in Port Charlotte yesterday, the Nationals get to host New York in their...

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Observations and quotes from Wednesday's victory

March 02, 2016, 12:33pm

Nationals

Observations and quotes from Wednesday's victory

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Dusty Baker is undefeated as Nationals manager. OK, so it was only the Grapefruit League opener. And it came in a game played almost exclusively by reserves and prospects. And it won't show up anywhere on Baker's career managerial record. But the Nats put together a solid all-around effort in defeating the Rays 6-2 at Charlotte Sports Park, rewarding their new skipper in his return to the dugout after a two-year hiatus. So, Dusty, was it just like riding a bike? "Aw, I...