Byron Kerr

Werth makes adjustment with hands as he attempts to get his timing back

April 10, 2015, 7:56am

Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth said Thursday he is trying to get his timing back at the plate, which is normal for hitters in spring training and more so for those coming off of surgery. He swung his bat above his head during on-deck warmups and said his shoulder felt good after the game, but mornings are where soreness comes in and he will have to see these next few days how quickly he recovers. He did give insight on some adjustments he's working on with his hands in the batting cage,...

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Jayson Werth gets through first rehab game, says shoulder feels "good"

April 09, 2015, 6:51pm

Nationals

Jayson Werth gets through first rehab game, says shoulder feels "good"

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth went 0-for-2 with a walk, a called third strike and a line out to center field on a cold and misty night in his first rehab assignment with high Single-A Potomac. But he said his shoulder felt "good" after playing seven full innings. Werth is looking to return from right AC joint surgery performed in January and was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to March 27, to start the season. "This is a long way away from where I want to...

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Williams on Desmond's slow start, plus updates on injured starters

April 09, 2015, 7:12am

Nationals

Williams on Desmond's slow start, plus updates on injured starters

Shortstop Ian Desmond has had a rough start on offense, going 0-for-7 with two strikeouts and no walks in the first two games. On Thursday morning, Nationals manager Matt Williams said he believes he knows why Desmond has had a slow start and what he'll need to do to change things at the plate. "I think the first two games anyway, his timing is a touch off, he looks a touch late to me, so he's working hard on making sure he is on time," Williams said. "When it's on time it's special,...

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Williams' formula for 'pen late in game adds up to Nats' first win of season

April 08, 2015, 7:50pm

Nationals

Williams' formula for 'pen late in game adds up to Nats' first win of season

Wednesday's second game against the Mets was another tight affair, but this time the Nationals were able to hold onto a one-run lead and win their first game of the season 2-1. Manager Matt Williams decided to finish the game with three right-handers - Craig Stammen in the seventh, Blake Treinen in the eighth and Drew Storen in the ninth. The Mets managed just one hit in those three frames. Williams decided to start off the bullpen in the seventh by calling on the veteran Stammen. He allowed a...

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Williams clarifies Roark's new role out of the bullpen

April 08, 2015, 1:25pm

Nationals

Williams clarifies Roark's new role out of the bullpen

Last season, Tanner Roark won 15 games. This season, he's in the bullpen. It's not because he lost anything on his fastball. It's just the club signed former Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer for $210 million. That means the right-hander is now one of the best starting pitchers-turned-reliever in the National League. He didn't make an appearance in Monday's home opener, so Nationals manager Matt Williams was asked about Roark's role this season. "It depends on the day," Williams said....

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Syracuse and Hagerstown rosters announced for 2015

April 07, 2015, 4:52pm

Nationals

Syracuse and Hagerstown rosters announced for 2015

The Syracuse Chiefs, the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, have set their roster for 2015 and it includes several players worth watching. Tony Gwynn Jr., Ian Stewart and Kila Ka'aihue are among the former major league position players on the club while top prospect A.J. Cole will pitch for the Chiefs. Here's the full roster: Pitchers (13)Bruce Billings A.J. ColeManny DelcarmenEric FornataroMatt GraceTaylor HillTaylor JordanMitch LivelyRich HillRafael MartinScott McGregor Evan MeekFelipe...

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Giolito and Lopez continue throwing in Florida, will head north in late April (with P-Nats roster)

April 07, 2015, 8:28am

Nationals

Giolito and Lopez continue throwing in Florida, will head north in late April (with P-Nats roster)

The Nationals released rosters for their minor league affiliates Tuesday. Noticeably absent from the high Single-A Potomac Nationals are top pitching prospects Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. The pair has remained in Viera, Fla., at the Nationals training facility and are in good health, just a couple of weeks behind their teammates. They have been working on a throwing program since their arrival in Florida in February, according to Nationals assistant general manager and vice president...

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Harrisburg Senators announce 2015 roster, which includes Ross and Voth

April 07, 2015, 8:08am

Nationals

Harrisburg Senators announce 2015 roster, which includes Ross and Voth

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators announced their 2015 team roster on Tuesday. The roster is highlighted by a pair of MLB.com Nationals top 10 prospects in pitchers Joe Ross (No. 5) and Austin Voth (No. 10). The other notable top prospects include catcher Pedro Severino, outfielder Drew Vettleson, infielder Matt Skole, infielder Tony Renda and pitcher Abel De Los Santos. The Senators open at home April 9 against the Altoona Curve. Pitchers (13)Tim Alderson Robert Benincasa Robert Bleier Abel De...

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More on Taylor, plus hearing from Uggla and Ramos on opener

April 07, 2015, 7:20am

Nationals

More on Taylor, plus hearing from Uggla and Ramos on opener

Nationals manager Matt Williams spoke after the opening day loss to the Mets on Michael A. Taylor's first game and the play at the right-center field wall when he got very close to making a huge catch late in the game. "Yeah, almost made that play up against the wall," Williams said. "Mike's got lots of talent. He's dynamic in every aspect. He can run. He plays good defense. He's got power. The key for him is to swing at strikes and get in good hitting counts and let his bat go to...

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Desmond, Uggla and Williams react to dropped pop-up in loss to Mets

April 06, 2015, 4:09pm

Nationals

Desmond, Uggla and Williams react to dropped pop-up in loss to Mets

A pair of miscues by Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond overshadowed an impressive debut for Max Scherzer in Monday's 3-1 opening day loss to the Mets. The first fielding mistake cost Scherzer a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on first, David Wright's pop-up behind second base was dropped by Desmond and the Mets were in business with runners on second and third. Second baseman Dan Uggla appeared early on to have a good beat on the pop up, waving away the other fielders,...

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Updates on Jayson Werth, Denard Span and Anthony Rendon

April 06, 2015, 10:28am

Nationals

Updates on Jayson Werth, Denard Span and Anthony Rendon

The Nationals open today against the New York Mets without three important players on offense. Left fielder Jayson Werth (right AC joint surgery), center fielder Denard Span (right core muscle surgery) and third baseman Anthony Rendon (sprained left knee) were placed on the disabled list to begin the season. The earliest they are eligible to return is April 11. Manager Matt Williams, who sounded like he was battling a little bit of a cold himself, spoke about each player's current status...

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Fister ready for season to start after six strong innings in spring finale

April 04, 2015, 1:11pm

Nationals

Fister ready for season to start after six strong innings in spring finale

Nationals right-hander Doug Fister tossed six innings Saturday in his final start of spring training. He allowed four hits, the lone blemish a two-run homer by Stephen Drew that got the Yankees on the board in the fifth. But Fister started very well, retiring the first nine New York batters he faced. Jacob Ellsbury was hit by pitch to start the fourth and Brett Gardner followed with a single. But Fister induced a 4-6-3 Mark Teixeira double play grounder to end the threat. Brian McCann doubled...

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Update on Storen, plus what role will Blake Treinen take on this season?

April 04, 2015, 8:53am

Nationals

Update on Storen, plus what role will Blake Treinen take on this season?

Manager Matt Williams said the Nationals will get closer Drew Storen into today's exhibition game against the Yankees. Storen has been recovering from a blister on right foot. "He's available to pitch today," Williams said. "We plan on him pitching. He threw yesterday. They wrapped him up pretty good. He's got a good callous over the blister. So the anticipation today is to get him in there. We need to get him in there. It's part of his progression. We'll keep going with that." With...

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With new locker location, Desmond ready for opening day

April 04, 2015, 7:36am

Nationals

With new locker location, Desmond ready for opening day

To begin 2015, there are some subtle changes to the makeup of the Nationals and the way things look in the clubhouse. First baseman Adam LaRoche has moved on to the Chicago White Sox. Sporting a new haircut and thicker goatee, veteran shortstop Ian Desmond has moved his clubhouse locker location over to the stall previously occupied by LaRoche. He is now right next to Tyler Moore and closer to Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman. Bryce Harper's locker is now to his right. Desmond remembers when he...

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Nats look to help improve Wi-Fi connections in Nationals Park

April 02, 2015, 6:01am

Nationals

Fan experience is important to the Nationals, especially in this day and age of mobile phone use, Wi-Fi connections and connectivity levels at the stadium. Some fans have been concerned about getting good levels on their Wi-Fi connections throughout the stadium. I had some questions on Twitter about Wi-Fi at Nationals Park. @masnKerr did they do anything to improve the wifi at the park cc @NLBeastNats -- MicheleS (@aNatsFan) April 1, 2015 I posed the concern to Nationals chief revenue and...

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New items at Nats Park in 2015 centered around 10th anniversary celebration

April 01, 2015, 11:55am

Nationals

New items at Nats Park in 2015 centered around 10th anniversary celebration

The Nationals announced new concessions, menu items, enhanced spaces for fans called Club 24, a Baseball Americana exhibit, a new main clubhouse team store, promotional items, historic home run commemoration, theme nights, giveaways and much more during a media tour of Nationals Park on Wednesday. Several of the newest enhancements are related to the 10th anniversary of baseball's return to D.C. "We've been planning for a really long time this celebration, really since the last pitch of last...

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Nats' spring numbers reveal which super subs may play key roles in April

March 31, 2015, 3:26am

Nationals

Nats' spring numbers reveal which super subs may play key roles in April

Only three spring training games remain for the Nationals in Florida before they pack up and head north for Saturday's exhibition game against the Yankees at Nats Park. Injuries to third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielders Jayson Werth, Denard Span and Nate McLouth will certainly adjust how the 25-man roster will look come April 6. The organization added outfielders Matt den Dekker and Reed Johnson on Monday. The Nats like den Dekker's lefty bat and speed to provide depth in the outfield....

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Clint Robinson is an intriguing choice as backup first baseman

March 29, 2015, 5:28am

Nationals

Clint Robinson is an intriguing choice as backup first baseman

With veteran first baseman Adam LaRoche moving on as a free agent over the offseason, it was no secret that the Nationals were looking to add some left-handed power in 2015. You can see it at third base, with the possibility that the left-handed hitting Ian Stewart could get a shot because of the knee injury to Anthony Rendon. Stewart has done pretty well in spring training, batting .270 in 18 games with three homers and four RBIs. He has played most of his career with the Rockies, and last...

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Nationals early camp roster capsule: Difo, Bautista, Abreu

March 27, 2015, 11:50am

Nationals

Notes on a couple of more players that low Single-A Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson has worked with in the past and at this year's early camp in Florida. A pair of workhorses from last season, Rafael Bautista and Wilmer Difo, have been able to show their talents in Viera again. Center fielder Bautista played in three spring training games with the Nationals and went 1-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. The 22-year-old hit .290 in 134 games last season with 20 doubles, five triples, five...

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Meaningful home runs will be commemorated at Nationals Park

March 26, 2015, 8:34am

Nationals

The Nationals will commemorate memorable home runs at Nationals Park, similar to the way Frank Howard's mammoth blasts to the upper deck at RFK Stadium were signified by seats painted white where the ball hit, according to those attending an invitation-only event at Nationals Park on Tuesday night. There will be five initial dramatic home runs that will be honored with specially painted seats in the Nationals Park outfield. They are: * March 30, 2008 - Ryan Zimmerman walk-off home run * July...