Byron Kerr

Could the Nationals work with Oakland again to get Tyler Clippard back to D.C.?

June 12, 2015, 7:55am

The Nationals bullpen has struggled to find its locked in 7-8-9 responsibilities as the season enters its third month. Drew Storen has been the closer and done a very good job, notching 19 saves. Casey Janssen was pegged as the eighth-inning setup man after the Nationals traded fan-favorite Tyler Clippard to the A's for infielder Yunel Escobar. But Janssen is more of a finesse guy, and teams love to have a guy in the second-to-last inning who can bring the heat and have a devastating breaking...

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Solis roughed up in rehab for Harrisburg (Update: Solis reinstated and optioned)

June 11, 2015, 4:22am

Nationals

Solis roughed up in rehab for Harrisburg (Update: Solis reinstated and optioned)

Double-A Harrisburg's offense opened up to drop New Britain 9-6. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak. Five Senators had multi-hit performances. Wilmer Difo went 3-for-5, Tony Renda 2-for-5, Brian Goodwin 2-for-4, Matt Skole 3-for-5 and Brian Jerolman 2-for-5. Harrisburg totaled 14 hits. Skole hit his ninth homer and finished with four RBIs. Austin Voth (3-4) went six innings for the win, allowing three runs on four hits, with no walks and eight strikeouts. Sammy Solis (left shoulder...

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Nationals select three left-handers from 5th to 10th rounds

June 10, 2015, 1:56am

Nationals

The Nationals added talent and depth with picks from the fifth round through the 10th round Tuesday in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. All of them came from the collegiate ranks. From the fifth through seventh rounds, the Nationals went on a run for southpaws. In the fifth round, the Nationals chose left-hander Taylor Hearn from Oklahoma Baptist University. Hearn went 9-0 with a 3.50 ERA in 15 games (13 starts) in 2015. He struck out 71 batters in 64 1/3 innings pitched. His nine wins ranked...

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Stevenson on getting call from Nats: "I was just excited that they believe in how I play"

June 09, 2015, 11:25am

Nationals

Stevenson on getting call from Nats: "I was just excited that they believe in how I play"

LSU center fielder Andrew Stevenson was the Nationals' first pick in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft on Monday as the No. 58 selection. He leads the Tigers in hitting with a .356 average in 59 games, including 11 doubles, five triples, a homer, 26 stolen bases and 21 RBIs. "I've had a great year," Stevenson said. "We got a great team over here and we're playing some great baseball." He still has some college baseball to play as the Tigers defeated Louisiana-Lafayette in the super...

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Nationals select a pair of outfielders to begin 2015 First-Year Player Draft

June 08, 2015, 11:12pm

Nationals

The Nationals selected a pair of outfielders to begin the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. With the 58th pick, the Nationals chose Louisiana State outfielder Andrew Stevenson. He is a 6-foot, 184-lb. speedy outfielder from Youngsville, La., who was All-First Team SEC for the Tigers, who have advanced to the College World Series this weekend in Omaha, Neb. Stevenson also ranked near the top of the league in batting average (sixth, .356), hits (tied for sixth, 84), triples (tied for sixth, five),...

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10 in 10: Dream Foundation builds off success to introduce new initiative

June 08, 2015, 9:40am

Nationals

10 in 10: Dream Foundation builds off success to introduce new initiative

From the time they arrived from Montreal before the 2005 season, the Nationals have been a mainstay in the Washington, D.C., sports scene. But the Nats are also very active in the community, working diligently over the past decade to touch the lives of many in the region and proving that baseball has a further reach than wins and losses, balls and strikes, batters and pitchers. Each Thursday through mid-August, MASNsports.com's Byron Kerr will explore the Nationals' community outreach...

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Nationals not fazed by picking No. 58 in the MLB Draft: "It's the Super Bowl of the season"

June 08, 2015, 3:58am

Nationals

The 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft commences tonight and the Nationals won't make a big 1-1 splash like they have in the past with players like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. They won't even turn heads with a 1-6 pick like that of infielder Anthony Rendon. That's because the Nationals don't even pick in the first round this season. In the offseason, the Nationals surrendered that selection by signing former Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. That decision has already...

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Span leaves with back spasms, Espinosa plays left field for first time in loss to Cubs

June 07, 2015, 4:37pm

Nationals

Span leaves with back spasms, Espinosa plays left field for first time in loss to Cubs

Nationals center fielder Denard Span had to leave Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Cubs after the seventh inning with back spasms. Danny Espinosa replaced Span in the game and played left field. Michael A. Taylor switched over to center field. Span said the back spasms came upon him quickly and jolted him in the dugout after his at bat in the bottom of the seventh. "I felt fine. I popped up to shortstop," Span said. "Came back, put my helmet in the rack, put my bat down, calmly. Sat down on the...

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Despite loss, Joe Ross and his teammates felt confident in rookie's debut

June 06, 2015, 12:12pm

Nationals

Despite loss, Joe Ross and his teammates felt confident in rookie's debut

Right-hander Joe Ross started off well, did what he needed to do and kept the Nationals in the game in his major league debut Saturday versus the Cubs. Chicago won the game 4-2, but Ross did well for himself and the Nationals. He went five innings, allowed six hits, three runs, all earned, no walks and struck out four. He had to throw 91 pitches in those five innings, 68 were for strikes. The 22-year-old Ross rolled through the Cubs lineup the first time without allowing a run or a hit. He sent...

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Nats Rizzo has confidence A.J. Cole will be big league starter (Update: Cole to Syracuse)

June 05, 2015, 7:29pm

Nationals

Nats Rizzo has confidence A.J. Cole will be big league starter (Update: Cole to Syracuse)

The Nationals will start Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Joe Ross Saturday. The first-round 2011 selection, who started his career with the Padres, follows rookie A.J. Cole in making his major league debut with the Nats. Cole started April 28 at Atlanta, but allowed nine runs, only four earned, in two innings. Down 9-1, the Nationals rallied to win that game in dramatic fashion, 13-12. Cole was then sent down, but has since made two more appearances with the Nationals on May 15 and May 23, a...

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Pitching prospect Joe Ross called up from Double-A to start Saturday

June 05, 2015, 2:09pm

Nationals

Pitching prospect Joe Ross called up from Double-A to start Saturday

Nationals manager Matt Williams confirmed that right-hander Joe Ross will be called up to make his major league debut and start Saturday's game against the Cubs. The 2011 first-round selection was acquired in a three-team trade from the Padres in the offseason, alongside shortstop Trea Turner. The deal, in part, sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays. Ross, the younger brother of San Diego pitcher Tyson Ross, was rated the No. 4 prospect in the Padres chain in 2014. Williams said it's a...

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Source: Joe Ross to be called up from Double-A to start Saturday

June 05, 2015, 9:10am

Nationals

Source: Joe Ross to be called up from Double-A to start Saturday

The Nationals have had to be creative and aggressive in filling vacant turns in their rotation the last couple of weeks due to injuries to starters Doug Fister (right forearm tightness) and Stephen Strasburg (neck tightness). That assertive formula continues this weekend as the Nationals will call up Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Joe Ross to make his first major league start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, an industry source confirmed to MASNsports.com. The news originally reported in a...

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Update on Escobar's wrist, Rendon's return, Gonzalez's bounce back after rough first inning

June 04, 2015, 9:28pm

Nationals

Update on Escobar's wrist, Rendon's return, Gonzalez's bounce back after rough first inning

Nationals manager Matt Williams said third baseman Yunel Escobar left the game because of a right wrist injury. The X-Rays at the stadium were negative. "Yunel on the check swing, his right wrist wasn't feeling good so we'll evaluate that tomorrow and see where he's at," Williams reported postgame. "They took an X-Ray, he's fine. There's no issue there, he just tweaked it trying to check up." Escobar exited the game to begin the top of the second. Danny Espinosa was called in to play...

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Updates on Fister, Strasburg, Solis, Zimmerman and facing Kris Bryant

June 04, 2015, 1:49pm

Nationals

Updates on Fister, Strasburg, Solis, Zimmerman and facing Kris Bryant

Nationals manager Matt Williams updated how pitchers Doug Fister (right forearm tightness), Stephen Strasburg (neck tightness) and Sammy Solis (left shoulder inflammation) are going through the rehab process while on the disabled list. All three worked out at Nationals Park on Thursday. "Doug threw 40-ish pitches in the bullpen today, felt good," Williams said. "Threw all of them. Threw his changeup and his curveball, his cutter. Came out of it feeling really good. That heavier load, we'll...

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Rendon plays in both ends of Harrisburg doubleheader

June 04, 2015, 3:18am

Nationals

Rendon plays in both ends of Harrisburg doubleheader

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon (oblique strain) made another step toward returning to the team by playing in both ends of a doubleheader Wednesday night for Double-A Harrisburg. Rendon has not played this season for the Nationals. He has now had five rehab games since May 29. In Game 1, Rendon went 1-for-4 with a double in the seventh inning and struck out once. He was a part of a 4-6-3 double play. In Game 2, he was the designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a single. The Senators...

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Pillar on homers off of Scherzer, Lobaton on the double steal

June 03, 2015, 2:29am

Nationals

Pillar on homers off of Scherzer, Lobaton on the double steal

Nationals ace Max Scherzer gave up two homers in a game for the first time this season in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, a 7-3 loss. Scherzer last allowed more than one homer in a game on Aug. 30 of last season at the White Sox. Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar hit both of the round trippers, a solo shot in the second that made it 1-0 Toronto and a game-changing three-run homer in the sixth that gave them a 4-3 lead. Pillar said it was the first time in his career...

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Span cautiously optimistic he will play in series finale

June 02, 2015, 7:20pm

Nationals

Span cautiously optimistic he will play in series finale

The Nationals decided right before Game 2 of their doubleheader with the Blue Jays on Tuesday that center fielder Denard Span would not play to give his sore right knee another full day to rest. An MRI revealed no significant damage, but there was still swelling and soreness. Manager Matt Williams made the call to keep his starting center fielder out of the lineup. "Just sore. Not gonna push him in that regard," Williams said following a 7-3 loss to Toronto in the nightcap. "So we'll see...

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Bryce Harper leading National League in early All-Star Game voting, plus Lucas Giolito notes

June 02, 2015, 12:26pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper leading National League in early All-Star Game voting, plus Lucas Giolito notes

Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper continues as the leading vote-getter in the National League for the 86th All-Star Game, which will be played July 14 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Harper has already garnered 2.3 million votes, which is fifth-best total in the major leagues. Kansas City's Salvador Perez leads the way with 2.68 million votes, followed by Lorenzo Cain at 2.5 million. Online voting is 100 percent ahead of the trend set at this time last year. Harper gave the...

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Nats Notes: Wednesday starter, Span, Rendon, Giolito and bullpen

June 02, 2015, 7:39am

Nationals

Nats Notes: Wednesday starter, Span, Rendon, Giolito and bullpen

Nationals manager Matt Williams has an option to bring up a 26th player for Game 2 today against the Blue Jays. Williams said they have not announced the possible, and if they do add to the roster, they will make the move after Game 1. He also confirmed there was no thought to adding a starting pitcher for today's Game 2. They don't want to alter Jordan Zimmermann and Max Scherzer's start schedule today. "No, both the starters are on regular rest," Williams said. "We want to keep them in...

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Williams on Grace's move to Syracuse and what to do late in games

June 01, 2015, 1:36pm

Nationals

Williams on Grace's move to Syracuse and what to do late in games

The Nationals recalled left-hander Felipe Rivero on Monday and optioned left-hander Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse. Manager Matt Williams said Grace needs to work on keeping the ball down. The Reds scored four runs versus Grace on Sunday in an 8-2 win over the Nationals. "We want him to just be down in the strike zone," Williams said. "He's gotten hurt by that ball being up. That's not his game. His game is to sink the ball down and create grounders. In recent outings, that hasn't...