Byron Kerr

Johnson says Nats need fifth starter for Saturday, updates Harper's return

June 25, 2013, 2:20pm

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said the team will decide sometime during the Arizona series who will replace injured starter Dan Haren. "We have (Ross) Ohlendorf here," Johnson said. "We also have a couple of young pitchers down (in Double-A Harrisburg) like (Nathan) Karns, and there is also a teammate of his." Johnson did not mention anyone from Triple-A Syracuse, saying the candidate will "more than likely come from (Double-A)." "We will make that decision, like I said, in a...

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Zimmerman given a day off, Werth back in lineup, Moore returns to D.C.

June 25, 2013, 2:00pm

Nationals

Zimmerman given a day off, Werth back in lineup, Moore returns to D.C.

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will not start the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Manager Davey Johnson wanted to give him two days off. Johnson said Zimmerman is fine, but he was feeling a little bit of soreness in his shoulder. "He is going to be available to pinch hit if I need him," Johnson said. "It is nothing different than I was doing with the other guys, give them a day off or a couple of days off like I did for (Denard) Span and (Adam) LaRoche." Johnson...

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Zimmerman out of Nationals lineup vs. Diamondbacks

June 25, 2013, 11:39am

Nationals

The Nationals open a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez takes on right-hander Trevor Cahill. Gonzalez is 3-3 with a 3.34 ERA and Cahill steps in at 3-8 with a 3.92 ERA. Cahill is 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in his last six starts. The Nationals lineup has been announced and Chad Tracy is playing third base instead of Ryan Zimmerman. Heading to clubhouse to check details as to why Zimmerman is not in lineup today. For the Diamondbacks: SS...

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Harrisburg pitching coach Menhart: Barrett "brings it every day"

June 24, 2013, 7:15am

Nationals

Harrisburg pitching coach Menhart: Barrett "brings it every day"

Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Aaron Barrett continues to have success as their closer, racking up six consecutive save opportunities. Barrett has 14 saves in 31 games spanning 30 1/3 innings, with 41 strikeouts and just nine walks. He is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA and has not allowed an earned run in nine straight appearances. That works out to a 0.93 ERA in the last 10 games. Harrisburg pitching coach Paul Menhart said Barrett has established the attitude necessary on the mound to deliver in the...

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Frustrated Detwiler believes Rockies "didn't hit the ball that hard today"

June 23, 2013, 1:49pm

Nationals

Frustrated Detwiler believes Rockies "didn't hit the ball that hard today"

Left-hander Ross Detwiler got in trouble early against the Rockies, and they rolled to seven runs in the first four innings. That was just enough to hold up in a 7-6 Colorado victory that dropped the Nationals back below .500 at 37-38. Manager Davey Johnson said Detwiler needed to mix up his pitches better to beat the Rockies. But Sunday, Detwiler did not have confidence in one of his pitches and that cost him. "Basically, he is a sinkerball pitcher," Johnson said. "He is still very...

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Could Ohlendorf's solid work pave way for future starts?

June 22, 2013, 12:00pm

Nationals

Could Ohlendorf's solid work pave way for future starts?

Right-hander Ross Ohlendorf relieved struggling starter Dan Haren on Saturday, putting together a good performance to help keep the Rockies off the board for most of his outing. Ohlendorf, who had not pitched since June 12, tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and one run on a solo shot by Rockies Nolan Arenado. He struck out four and walked none on 77 pitches. The Rockies went on to beat the Nationals 7-1, but Ohlendorf certainly did well for himself. He also keeps his name at the top of...

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Player, manager have differing ideas about when Harper should start rehab

June 22, 2013, 7:30am

Nationals

Player, manager have differing ideas about when Harper should start rehab

Prior to Saturday's game against the Rockies, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper told reporters he believes that he will need six or seven rehab games to get back to 100 percent as he recovers from bursitis in his left knee. He also said he felt Tuesday might be too early for his return and said Wednesday could be the better day for his initial rehab game at high Single-A Potomac. Manager Davey Johnson had a little bit different take during his pregame news conference, saying it was his...

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Patience beginning to be rewarded in Nationals' offense

June 21, 2013, 6:45pm

Nationals

The Nationals struck out 11 times against Rockies veteran starter Roy Oswalt on Thursday, yet found a way to scratch out four runs. On Friday, Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood, recalled from Triple-A on April 24, did not allow a run in the first five innings. The Nationals mustered only two hits in that span, but they found a way to scratch out a couple of clutch hits in the sixth. Then, a big blast gave them the lead in the seventh. The Nationals ended up winning 2-1 over Colorado for their...

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Ryan Mattheus believes he is four weeks away from returning

June 21, 2013, 2:22pm

Nationals

Ryan Mattheus believes he is four weeks away from returning

Right-hander Ryan Mattheus was able to throw two sets from 60 feet to test his right hand, which he broke in San Diego back on May 20. Mattheus was upbeat following the workout. "It is a step in the right direction," Mattheus said. "To catch the last few days has been better than I thought it would be. No issues with the hand. Not really getting on it yet, but the ball feels good coming out of my hand." Mattheus said the Nationals will now lengthen out the throwing program nice and slow...

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Nationals announce signing of three more draft picks

June 21, 2013, 10:31am

Nationals

The Nationals announced Friday that they have signed three more picks from the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. They are right-handed pitcher Nicholas Pivetta (fourth round), right-handed pitcher John Simms (11th round) and right-handed pitcher Andrew Cooper (12th round). That brings the number to 13 of the top 14 draft picks for the Nationals who are signed and ready to go. Washington's top selection, right-hander Jacob Johansen, is already on the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays...

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LaRoche hoping his hits, team offense will help "spark something"

June 20, 2013, 6:50pm

Nationals

LaRoche hoping his hits, team offense will help "spark something"

First baseman Adam LaRoche would be the first to admit the last couple of weeks have not been very much fun for him at the plate. Heading into Thursday's game against Colorado, LaRoche was batting .156 (5-for-32) in those past 10 games. Manager Davey Johnson sensed his veteran was scuffling a bit at the plate and gave him Monday's game at Philadelphia off. He did have a pinch-hit at-bat in that game, but went 0-for-1. Now, in his last three starts, he has six hits. Thursday was the best of...

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Injury updates for Wilson Ramos and Ryan Mattheus

June 20, 2013, 1:58pm

Nationals

Injury updates for Wilson Ramos and Ryan Mattheus

Manager Davey Johnson had injury updates for catcher Wilson Ramos and right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus. Ramos has been on the disabled list since May 16 with a hamstring injury. He had a setback last week running the bases but Johnson said the catcher is making better progress this week. "I keep reading the reports every day that he is catching bullpens, taking batting practice, he is running the bases," Johnson said. "We are just being very cautious because he was injured a second time...

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Harrisburg's Taylor Jordan displays mental toughness during current win streak

June 20, 2013, 9:59am

Nationals

Harrisburg's Taylor Jordan displays mental toughness during current win streak

Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Taylor Jordan won his sixth straight Eastern League game Wednesday in a 3-1 win at Bowie. Going eight innings, Jordan demonstrated again he has the stuff to get batters out. But critical to his maturation at this level is also the mental side of the game and Jordan is having success keeping himself focused and on target. Harrisburg pitching coach Paul Menhart referred to Jordan's biggest attributes as "his ability to slow the game down." This is a very...

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Taylor Jordan goes to 6-0 as Harrisburg defeats Bowie 3-1 (updated)

June 19, 2013, 5:42pm

Nationals

Taylor Jordan goes to 6-0 as Harrisburg defeats Bowie 3-1 (updated)

BOWIE, Md. - Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Taylor Jordan allowed his first earned run in four games, but remained solid on the hill with eight strong innings, defeating Bowie 3-1 at Prince George's Stadium. Jordan recorded his sixth consecutive Double-A victory to no losses, allowing three hits, one earned run, two walks and three strikeouts. He tossed 96 pitches, 64 for strikes. Manager Matt Lecroy said it was another solid outing for the young right-hander. "He pitched out of two...

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Battle of a pair of undefeated starters with Harrisburg at Bowie tonight

June 19, 2013, 2:44pm

Nationals

Battle of a pair of undefeated starters with Harrisburg at Bowie tonight

BOWIE, Md. -- The Double-A Harrisburg Senators face off against the Bowie Baysox at Baysox Stadium tonight here at Prince George's County. It is right-hander Taylor Jordan (5-0, 0.66) taking on Bowie's right-hander Mike Wright (6-0, 3.92). This will be Jordan's seventh start and ninth appearance. He has two complete games and two shutouts with 39 strikeouts to only six walks. Opponents are batting .181 against Jordan. Last night, Harrisburg trounced Bowie 9-1 behind Paul Demny's seven...

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Hagerstown's Anderson earns win as South Atlantic League North All-Stars triumph

June 18, 2013, 9:25pm

Nationals

Hagerstown's Anderson earns win as South Atlantic League North All-Stars triumph

In the low Single-A South Atlantic League All-Star Game, several Nationals prospects played a part in the North All-Stars defeating the South All-Stars 2-1. Suns right-fielder Brandon Miller reached second base on a throwing error in his first at-bat and popped up to go 0-for-2. The Suns' Tony Renda contributed a pinch-hit single in the fifth inning. Catcher Pedro Severino went 0-for-1. Suns right-hander Dixon Anderson picked up the win with one inning in the third. He allowed two hits and...

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Potomac's A.J. Cole wins pitcher of the week for second time

June 18, 2013, 1:16pm

Nationals

Potomac's A.J. Cole wins pitcher of the week for second time

High Single-A Potomac Nationals right-hander A.J. Cole has been named the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Week for the second time in the 2013 season. Cole helped the P-Nats clinch the Northern division for the first half of the season with an 8-0 shutout victory over the Frederick Keys on June 13 at Harry Grove Stadium. The 21-year-old Cole tossed seven scoreless innings and only four hits, with two walks and 10 strikeouts. The fourth-round selection from 2010 was part of the Michael...

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Tracy hits another clutch home run, but Nationals come up short

June 17, 2013, 7:12pm

Nationals

Chad Tracy is "Mr. Clutch" for the Nationals this season. He has only two hits in his last 10 games, but both were home runs to tie games in the late-going. He also hit the first pinch-hit home run of the season in San Diego. Each home run felt, at the time, that it might be one of those hits that could change the season. It felt like that Monday in Philadelphia when, in the top of the ninth, Tracy crushed an 0-2 fastball by Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon down the right field line and...

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Syracuse's Walters honored as Batter of the Week in International League (plus Auburn roster)

June 17, 2013, 7:26am

Nationals

Syracuse's Walters honored as Batter of the Week in International League (plus Auburn roster)

Triple-A Syracuse shortstop Zach Walters has really gotten hot at the plate in the past nine games. Especially the most recent six games, where he has connected for 12 hits. Walters has done so well that the International League announced today that Walters has been named Batter of the Week for the period from June 10-16. Walters is the first member of the Chiefs to win a weekly award this season. The week has also demonstrated Walters' power - he hit three of his 14 homers since June...

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Potomac and Hagerstown clinch first-half crowns

June 16, 2013, 3:55pm

Nationals

Potomac and Hagerstown clinch first-half crowns

It is not the most important goal of the minor league system, but when the Nationals get one team into the postseason, it is a good measure of the talent and ability of the players to come together as a unit. The Nationals did that one better - they had two teams clinch first-half crowns Sunday. Both Single-A squads, the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns and the high Single-A Potomac Nationals won their respective divisions in the first half of the season. This guarantees the Suns and P-Nats...