Byron Kerr

Detwiler fine with being No. 5 if Haren is No. 4

December 04, 2012, 8:10am

Right-hander Dan Haren fits into the ideal mold of what Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo looks for in a starting pitcher. At 6-foot-5 and 215 lbs., Haren will be an imposing veteran presence on the mound in Nationals Park, and be a perfect complement to the Nats' already lethal rotation. Haren would match left-hander Ross Detwiler as the tallest of the five starters: Stephen Strasburg is 6-foot-4, Gio Gonzalez is 6-foot, Jordan Zimmermann is 6-foot-2 and Detwiler is 6-foot-5. Detwiler...

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Bernadina to represent Netherlands in World Baseball Classic

December 03, 2012, 12:24pm

Nationals

Bernadina to represent Netherlands in World Baseball Classic

Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina will play for his native Netherlands in the 2013 World Baseball Classic in March beginning in Japan and Taiwan. In 2012, Bernadina hit .291 with 15 stolen bases in 2012, and continued to be a critical utility player for Davey Johnson, as the Nationals won their first ever NL East title. In a release, World Baseball Classic, Inc. today announced the final pool compositions, which include qualifier winners Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei and Spain, and the...

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Velocity jump helped Erik Davis secure 40-man roster spot

December 02, 2012, 7:07pm

Nationals

Velocity jump helped Erik Davis secure 40-man roster spot

Right-hander Erik Davis was thrilled to get the call that he had been added to the 40-man roster last week and he is primed to take another step forward towards the Nationals in 2013. "It was huge for me," Davis said. "I was down in the Dominican Republic when I found out. One of our coaches called me in from shagging batting practice. Obviously, I knew that day was the deadline for that stuff to happen. The emotions just kind of overcame me and it was a dream come true." Davis said while...

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Winter numbers for Tatusko, Davis, McCoy, Walters, Rivero and others

December 01, 2012, 4:46am

Nationals

Winter numbers for Tatusko, Davis, McCoy, Walters, Rivero and others

Right-hander Ryan Tatusko has had a pretty good run with Leones de Ponce in the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League. Tatusko has made five starts since Nov. 8, going 0-2 with a 1.54 ERA, allowing just four earned runs with 21 strikeouts, nine walks and no home runs allowed in 23 1/3 innings. He has given up only a .212 batting average against. Tatusko was 4-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 27 games this summer for Double-A Harrisburg. He also saw this grazing in the player's parking lot at a recent...

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A closer look at Span's 2012 reveals consistent offense

November 30, 2012, 7:36am

Nationals

A closer look at Span's 2012 reveals consistent offense

Newly acquired Nationals center fielder Denard Span said he did not feel like he was back at 100 percent health-wise and was building his strength back from shoulder and concussion issues in 2012. Yet he still put up consistent and crucial offensive numbers in the Twins offense. His presence in D.C. will mark the first time in their history the Nationals have had a real leadoff hitter/center fielder who has had success elsewhere for a period of time - but at 28 still has his best years ahead...

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Span excited and emotional about move to the Nationals (updated)

November 29, 2012, 12:24pm

Nationals

Newly acquired Nationals outfielder Denard Span is excited to be coming to D.C. after hearing the news he had been traded to the Nationals from the Minnesota Twins. "Yeah, most definitely, most definitely, man," Span said when reached by phone after the trade was announced. "My initial reaction as I talked to (Twins) general manager Terry Ryan. At first, when he told me it was definitely sad news. I have been with the Twins for 10 years. Everything I know about the game came from...

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Now a starter, Ryan Perry has some unfinished business

November 28, 2012, 12:16pm

Nationals

Now a starter, Ryan Perry has some unfinished business

Right-hander Ryan Perry was pleased with his season and the progress he made, moving from reliever to starter, trying to become a pitcher instead of just a thrower. He not only was able to find success at his new job with Double-A Harrisburg, but also received an invitation to pitch in the prestigious Arizona Fall League. His season wrapped up with the starting pitching spot in the Arizona Fall League title game, and although he did not go out the way he wanted, he still was happy with where...

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Rendon and Skole selected to AFL Top Prospects Team

November 26, 2012, 6:14pm

Nationals

Rendon and Skole selected to AFL Top Prospects Team

The Arizona Fall League announced its Top Prospects Team and a pair of Nationals prospects made the list. Both are third basemen - Anthony Rendon and Matt Skole. The team was put together by AFL managers and coaches. The Top Prospects Team recognizes players who distinguished themselves throughout the league's six-week 2012 schedule against other top prospects from every organization in Major League Baseball. Voters also were asked to consider AFL performance and major league...

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More winter league updates for Nats prospects

November 24, 2012, 5:46pm

Nationals

More winter league updates for Nats prospects

Checking in on Erik Davis' season, we saw the incredible numbers he is putting up for Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Winter League. One of his fellow members of the Nationals organization, left-hander Patrick McCoy has put together a nice run for Gigantes the last week and a half. McCoy has allowed just one run in the past 10 games, a span of seven innings. He has given up six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks since Nov. 6. Overall, he is 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA in 14 appearances,...

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Davis' turnaround year earns selection to Nationals' 40-man roster

November 22, 2012, 4:13pm

Nationals

The Nationals announced this week that right-hander Erik Davis had been added to the 40-man roster. The move might have surprised a few baseball fans who have not heard that much about Davis, but it certainly was no surprise to those who saw him play or coached him, especially Double-A Harrisburg pitching coach Paul Menhart. "I was absolutely ecstatic," Menhart said. "This kid had an unreal turnaround in his career from last year to this year." The 6-foot-4, 200 lb. Davis struggled after...

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Barrett's season to remember

November 20, 2012, 6:10pm

Nationals

Right-hander Aaron Barrett just wrapped up a spectacular year, both personally and professionally. The Nationals prospect had an outstanding season as a reliever, moving up from low Single-A Hagerstown to high Single-A Potomac. As the season came to a close, there were more surprises in store for Barrett. He knew he was going to get married to his fiancÃƒÂ©, Kendyl, but the Nationals also rewarded him with an invitation to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. So Barrett got to enjoy a one-day...

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Remembering Gail Harris

November 19, 2012, 6:31am

Nationals

The Nationals family lost a cherished former major league player and valued mentor this week. Boyd Gail Harris Jr., a left-handed hitting first baseman with the New York Giants and the Detroit Tigers from 1955-60, and father of Hagerstown Suns hitting coach Mark Harris, passed away in Gainesville, Va., on Nov. 14. He was 81. Gail Harris played in 437 games for the Giants and Tigers, hitting .240 with 38 doubles, 15 triples, 51 homers and 190 RBIs. In 1958, at the age of 26, Harris played in...

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Perry gets roughed up early in finals, Salt River comeback falls short in 4-3 loss

November 17, 2012, 1:10pm

Nationals

Perry gets roughed up early in finals, Salt River comeback falls short in 4-3 loss

Nationals right-hander Ryan Perry allowed four runs in three innings, and Peoria held off Salt River 4-3 to win the Arizona Fall League championship at Scottsdale Stadium. Perry surrendered eight hits and two walks to suffer the loss (0-1). He gave up a leadoff triple from Billy Hamilton and two RBI singles by Mike Zunino. Peoria built a 4-1 lead before Salt River rallied in the third. Kent Matthes slapped a run-scoring single and Corey Dickerson added an RBI double to make it 4-3. Brian...

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How close is Ryan Perry to fifth starter material?

November 16, 2012, 6:09pm

Nationals

How close is Ryan Perry to fifth starter material?

On Saturday afternoon, the Salt River Rafters face Peoria in the championship game of the Arizona Fall League. Converted Nationals reliever Ryan Perry gets the start and could go five innings. The right-hander has a 4.98 ERA in the AFL, but is 2-0 and has allowed a .213 batting average against. With all the talk of Edwin Jackson, John Lannan or others as the fifth starter, this question can be put out there: Would an outstanding outing help Perry to be considered for that role in 2013? ...

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Martinson pinch-hit HR highlights Salt River's 7-3 victory in finale

November 16, 2012, 4:22am

Nationals

Martinson pinch-hit HR highlights Salt River's 7-3 victory in finale

Taxi squad member Jason Martinson hit a ball so hard and so far in his first game in Arizona last month that pitching coach Mark Grater said the umpires did not know how to rule it and called it foul. But it definitely was close to being fair. There was no doubt Thursday for Martinson, who crushed a two-run shot in the eighth as a pinch hitter, capping off a 7-3 regular season finale win for the Salt River Rafters over Surprise. Designated hitter Brian Goodwin had a double and run scored,...

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Salt River advances to AFL championship game; Ryan Perry will start

November 14, 2012, 5:34pm

Nationals

Salt River advances to AFL championship game; Ryan Perry will start

The Salt River Rafters downed Billy Hamilton and the Peoria Javelinas, 6-4 Wednesday afternoon at Salt River Fields in Arizona Fall League competition. Salt River improves to 16-13, guaranteeing a winning regular season record, and with one game left to play Thursday. Scottsdale (15-15) will be unable to catch them because the Scorpions would have played one more game, and they lost that game. First baseman Matt Skole went 0-for-3 with a walk, but is still batting .305. Third baseman Jason...

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Nats tab Gary Thurman as new minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator

November 14, 2012, 2:46pm

Nationals

Nats tab Gary Thurman as new minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator

The Nationals have announced Gary Thurman has been named the new minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator. Thurman comes over from the Miami Marlins, where he served as first base coach in 2012. He was also the Marlins' outfield and baserunning coach. Thurman has been a manager, coach or instructor for 14 years in professional baseball. From 2008-2011, Thurman was in the Cleveland Indians' organization as minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator. He previously worked nine...

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Harper wants to steal more bases in 2013, loves RGIII and weightlifting

November 13, 2012, 10:33am

Nationals

Harper wants to steal more bases in 2013, loves RGIII and weightlifting

Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper, appearing on 106.7 the Fan's "Holden and Danny Show" on Tuesday morning, was happy to win the coveted award for top rookie in the National League, but reiterated his top desire is to win a championship for the nation's capital. "I am really excited about it," the 20-year old Harper said. "The biggest thing for me is, seriously, I like to win. That is what I have done my whole life. I just want to come back and give a title to D.C." Harper said...

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Rendon doubles twice, Perry grabs win in Salt River's 8-4 dispatch of Mesa

November 12, 2012, 9:12pm

Nationals

Rendon doubles twice, Perry grabs win in Salt River's 8-4 dispatch of Mesa

Anthony Rendon and Matt Skole each had two hits and Ryan Perry allowed just one run as Salt River cruised past Mesa 8-4. Rendon smacked two doubles and Skole had two RBIs, while both players scored two runs. Skole is hitting .321 and Rendon .319. The Rafters managed at least one run in six different innings. Perry (2-0, 4.98 ERA) allowed a solo homer, but went four innings, scattering three hits and three walks, with two strikeouts to get the win. Cole Kimball gave up three runs in 1 2/3...

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Goodwin pleased with progress in first season in system

November 12, 2012, 6:27am

Nationals

Goodwin pleased with progress in first season in system

Nationals prospect Brian Goodwin has been pleased with his progress in the Arizona Fall League, especially in bunting and increasing his aggressiveness on the basepaths. "I think it is coming along well," Goodwin said. "It is something that I always looked at it as a weapon, being a speed guy and a top-of-the-order guy. You have to take your time with it. You can't get frustrated. But with the practice you do it will pay off and take it to the game. I like it. I always try to work on it...