Byron Kerr

Renda ready to get going after move up to Hagerstown

April 05, 2013, 11:27am

Second baseman Tony Renda has moved his way up from short-season Single-A Auburn to Single-A Hagerstown and is the leadoff hitter for the Suns. The second-round 2012 selection (80th overall) says manager Gary Cathcart was instrumental in his improvement and experience for the Doubledays. "Auburn was a great experience for me," Renda said. "I got to play for a great manager in Gary Cathcart. I got to learn how to become a professional, how to go about your business in a professional way....

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Werth's mammoth blast early signal wrist might be just fine

April 04, 2013, 4:05pm

Nationals

Werth's mammoth blast early signal wrist might be just fine

Right fielder Jayson Werth was 0-for-8 in the first two games of the season. There were some that might have questioned whether his surgically repaired wrist was not quite 100 percent just yet. On Thursday at Nationals Park, Werth crushed a three-run homer to left field that erased many of those doubts, lifting the Nationals to a 6-1 win and a series sweep of the Marlins. "I think you guys are a little but more worried about my wrist than anybody else," Werth said, speaking to reporters....

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Johnson sees Zimmerman's defense improving with repaired shoulder

April 04, 2013, 10:13am

Nationals

Johnson sees Zimmerman's defense improving with repaired shoulder

The Nationals are off to a 2-0 start with some important solo homers and quality pitching. But manager Davey Johnson also gives a lot of the credit for the first two wins to improved defense. Johnson said he notices a big difference because Ryan Zimmerman's surgically repaired shoulder has responded well. "No question about it," Johnson said. "It is kind of hard to improve on the infield. But the infield is improved because Zimm is healthier over there. You guys probably haven't noticed...

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Bryce Harper's older brother, Bryan, begins season tonight for Hagerstown

April 03, 2013, 8:40pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper's older brother, Bryan, begins season tonight for Hagerstown

He has got one of the most famous brothers in all of baseball. He is a southpaw looking to make it to the majors. He has played for a national champion. But all the questions come back to his talented younger brother, Bryce. Left-hander Bryan Harper of the Hagerstown Suns says that is all good, because his dream is to someday join his brother with the Nationals. "I will at least have the opportunity to play with him at some point," Bryan said. "That is one driving factor. Obviously,...

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Storen returns with scoreless frame, helps close book on last October

April 03, 2013, 7:03pm

Nationals

Storen returns with scoreless frame, helps close book on last October

It was just one inning, but symbolically, it was crucial for Drew Storen. You could see the determination, focus and drive on the face of Storen these first few days during pregame warmups and you knew whenever his first game arrived it would be important for many reasons. Erasing the memory but learning from the experience of Oct. 12 in the National League Division Series against the Cardinals drives Storen, even though it's not something that is talked about every day. But Ryan Zimmerman...

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With talented bullpen, deciding who gets to pitch is "good problem to have"

April 03, 2013, 1:54pm

Nationals

With talented bullpen, deciding who gets to pitch is "good problem to have"

With high expectations, and a Nationals bullpen filled with so many good pitchers, will there be enough work to go around? On opening day, Stephen Strasburg went seven innings and then Tyler Clippard took care of the eighth. Rafael Soriano arrived in the ninth and got three straight outs for his first save as a National. Manager Davey Johnson still has his left-handed long man Zach Duke and righties Drew Storen, Craig Stammen, Ryan Mattheus and Henry Rodriguez available to go in game two....

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New-look Hagerstown Suns ready for challenge of 140 games

April 02, 2013, 11:52am

Nationals

New-look Hagerstown Suns ready for challenge of 140 games

HAGERSTOWN - The older brother of the Nationals' famous young hitter, a new-look uniform and a brand new manager highlight the 2013 version of Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Tripp Keister was promoted from the GCL Nats and takes over for Brian Daubach, who moved on to Single-A Potomac. The Suns feature several talented draft picks and eight Dominican players this season. They also will wear red- and blue-trimmed uniforms, more in tune with their top team, the Washington Nationals. "I think we...

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Opening day not about the strikeouts for Strasburg in win

April 01, 2013, 1:05pm

Nationals

Opening day not about the strikeouts for Strasburg in win

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg had a seamless start to the 2013 season, going seven innings and allowing no runs in a 2-0 Nationals win over the Marlins. Strasburg allowed a hit to Juan Pierre to lead off the game and then recorded 19 consecutive outs. He walked none. But probably his most impressive feat to begin a long season? He struck out just three batters. That's right, just three. He got comebackers and weak grounders. He relied on stellar defense by Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and...

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Opening day even more special to Nationals after last season's success

April 01, 2013, 7:57am

Nationals

Opening day is always a special time for the fans but is it just another game to the players? Far from it. Especially with what the Nationals were able to accomplish in 2012. A pregame banner ceremony will commemorate the National League East crown from last season, and then it is time to go to work to try to do it again. "I enjoy opening day," said Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche. "It is an absolute necessity. It is kind of the parade that kicks this thing off." And repeating...

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Mattheus thrilled to come into a season where he can just pitch

March 31, 2013, 4:16pm

Nationals

Mattheus thrilled to come into a season where he can just pitch

Right-hander Ryan Mattheus feels like 2013 is different. Of course, he has to prove himself. But this feels better than in years past where he came into camp trying to make the team. This season, he felt like his spot was his to lose. He felt more in control during spring training. "It's huge," Mattheus said. "I finally had the pressures of making the team. I guess I could have went in and lost the job. I came in this spring and it was my job to lose. And that is just comforting, that I...

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Nationals release rosters for Hagerstown, Potomac and Syracuse

March 30, 2013, 8:36am

Nationals

Here are the 2013 opening day rosters for Nationals' affiliates at Single-A Hagerstown, Single-A Potomac and Triple-A Syracuse. Double-A Harrisburg released its roster yesterday. Potomac Nationals PITCHERS A.J. Cole Robbie Ray Taylor Jordan Taylor Hill Kylin Turnbull Tyler Herron Matt Grace Richard Mirowski Gregory Holt Ben Hawkins Christian Meza Colin Bates Derek Self CATCHERS Adrian Nieto Cole Leonida INFIELDERS Kevin Keyes Adrian Sanchez Jason Martinson Cutter Dykstra Blake...

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After getting his work in, Zimmermann's ready for season

March 29, 2013, 2:10pm

Nationals

After getting his work in, Zimmermann's ready for season

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann got his work in, a final start against the New York Yankees in an exhibition game before the games count for real on Monday. The Yankees won the game 4-2 with four runs in the fourth inning. The rally ignited with a Kevin Youkilis solo shot to left field. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Zimmermann was happy to just get this one in and get ready for the Miami Marlins, but didn't think his right-hander felt like himself at the beginning. "Zimm didn't feel...

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Nats bullpen plays off each other, confident they can get hitters out

March 29, 2013, 9:43am

Nationals

Nats bullpen plays off each other, confident they can get hitters out

With opening day arriving Monday, the lineup sheet for the Nationals' exhibition against the Yankees lists only two left-handers: Zach Duke and J.C. Romero. Manager Davey Johnson said at spring training in Viera, Fla., he is confident in the right-handers, and their plus stuff, to be able to go after either side of the plate and not have to be so worried about match-ups. Right-hander Ryan Mattheus agreed that this bullpen is talented enough to be able to challenge the hitters, regardless of...

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Harrisburg Senators announce opening day roster

March 29, 2013, 9:05am

Nationals

Harrisburg Senators announce opening day roster

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators released their opening day roster today. The talented roster includes top prospects Anthony Rendon, Matt Skole, Brian Goodwin and Nathan Karns. According to a press release, the roster includes eight players listed in the Baseball America's Top 28 Nationals prospects: Rendon (1), Goodwin (3), Skole (4), Karns (5), Sandy Leon (15), Rick Hague (16), Destin Hood (17) and Paul Demny (28). Harrisburg home opener is April 4 versus Bowie Baysox. Here is the roster...

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Power arms: Pitchers use weight room to maintain strength throughout season

March 26, 2013, 5:30pm

Nationals

Power arms: Pitchers use weight room to maintain strength throughout season

Not on the diamond. Not on the mound. Not during bullpens. You will not see this component of a pitcher's preparation for a game or a season. But it is absolutely crucial to every step and every pitch they make in their career. It is strength training. So with fans not getting a chance to see what a pitcher's work is like in the weight room, several fans have asked what the weight training regimen is like for each pitcher before and during the season? How much should pitchers lift?...

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Not official yet, but Syracuse Chiefs roster taking shape

March 23, 2013, 8:22pm

Nationals

Not official yet, but Syracuse Chiefs roster taking shape

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs' roster is taking shape as they get closer to their season opener April 4 at Lehigh Valley. They begin with seven games on the road. The roster is not official and could change before opening day, but this list is a good general idea of what the Chiefs will look like next week. The coaching staff has Tony Beasley as manager, with new addition player/coach Jason Michaels assisting batting coach Troy Gingrich and pitching coach Greg Booker. According to milb.com,...

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Cherry blossoms likely at Nationals Park and Harper could have a big year

March 21, 2013, 7:09pm

Nationals

The Nationals begin the 2013 campaign with a home series against the Miami Marlins. It could also be a spectacular week to view the cherry blossoms in D.C. The National Park Service has announced that the peak viewing time this year has now been pushed back to April 3-6. The Nationals open April 1 at 1:05 p.m. against the Marlins, and are also home April 3-4 against Miami. The left-field pavilion at Nationals Park is lined with cherry blossom trees. This season, the timing might be perfect...

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If Nats starters can go long, bullpen is set up to close deal

March 20, 2013, 8:30am

Nationals

If Nats starters can go long, bullpen is set up to close deal

The Nationals' group of late-inning specialists, consisting of Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen and Rafael Soriano, could be that 1-2-3 punch at the end of games that manager Davey Johnson envisions. If these three can be like the Atlanta Braves' final three (Eric O'Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel), the Nationals, as Johnson hopes, can shorten games to six innings. Here is my blog about those three from February. And with a starting five of Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan...

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Nationals work on goal of getting younger at higher levels

March 17, 2013, 6:03pm

Nationals

The accelerated development program has its obvious goals. It is first and foremost an opportunity to get some of the best prospects in the organization in one place at one time for an extended period of spring training, surrounded by the top coaches to "speed up" the learning process. But one other reason is pretty clear when looking at the talent and youth in the 24 pitchers in the program. The last few seasons, the Nationals have traded away some top pitching prospects and now they are...

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Nationals pitching prospects Demny, Clay, Treinen, Encarnacion and Pineyro updates from camp

March 14, 2013, 12:11pm

Nationals

Right-hander Paul Demny has come to the accelerated development camp looking good and ready to pick up where he left off following his play in the Arizona Fall League. "He looks like he is in better shape," said Harrisburg Senators pitching coach Paul Menhart. "He took a couple of weeks off after the Arizona Fall League and came in here in really good shape. His arm is healthy. I expect big things out of him this year." Here are updates on a pair of newcomers to the Nationals...