Giolito "speechless" to get call from Nationals

Giolito "speechless" to get call from Nationals
The Nationals' top selection in the 2012 draft, right-hander Lucas Giolito, met with reporters via conference call today and said that his elbow is making good progress as he rehabs the strain. "The doctors have treated me," Giolito said. "I have had some of the best doctors around to treat me. I feel really good. I have thrown off of flat ground. I have thrown long toss from 280 feet to 300 feet. I have been throwing pretty hard from 60 foot flat ground. I look forward to pitching...

Nationals love pure power and Giolito delivers

Nationals love pure power and Giolito delivers
The Washington Nationals' first-round selection, right-hander Lucas Giolito, is another in the long line of big power pitchers that general manager Mike Rizzo and his staff covet. And as it seems every year in early June, Rizzo finds a way to get his man. "We have been on this guy from day one," Rizzo said. "The reward outweighs the risk. He is a power body with a power arm with three plus pitches."

Baseball America's Callis believes Nats can get quality hitting at No. 16

Baseball America's Callis believes Nats can get quality hitting at No. 16
One guy is a great fielder and has a strong arm. Another hits for average and has great hands. Still another is an outstanding teammate and leader, and despite not having incredible tools, somehow finds a way to get on base almost every time. So which one should the Nationals select in tonight's First-Year Player Draft? After all, the Bryce Harpers of the world don't grow on trees. "It is makeup," Nationals assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel Roy Clark told me...

Callis: Nationals can find a major league gem at No. 16

Callis: Nationals can find a major league gem at No. 16
The Nationals ride into the 2012 First-Year Player Draft with a different feel about their first-round selection. Gone is selecting first two years in a row, or even sixth last year. This season, the team selects at No. 16, and as Nationals assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel Roy Clark told me Sunday, "We want to pick No. 30 every season." It is great to get the top selection, but that also means you were bad the prior season. That is no longer the case for the...

Wilkie "disappointed and embarrassed" by suspension

Wilkie "disappointed and embarrassed" by suspension
Triple-A Syracuse right-handed reliever Josh Wilkie has been suspended 50 games for use of a banned substance, according to a club source. Wilkie said in a text message that he was suspended for a substance called Spice, which was mixed with a flavored tobacco. Spice is sold and distributed legally in some places, although it is increasingly being banned at the state and local levels. A chemical in Spice is not permissible according to Major League Baseball's banned substance...

Ramirez back with Potomac and hitting to all fields

Ramirez back with Potomac and hitting to all fields
Outfielder J.P. Ramirez returned to high Single-A Potomac after showing well again at low Single-A Hagerstown, where he displayed his knack for getting on base and making good contact at the plate. The 22-year old Ramirez has gone back and forth a couple of times between Hagerstown and Potomac, but that is not a signal that he is not worthy of playing at Potomac. There has been a logjam of talented players at both stops and there were not enough roster spots available on opening day. Now that...

Eury Perez working on consistent groove in Harrisburg

Eury Perez working on consistent groove in Harrisburg
Center fielder

Hagerstown's Matt Purke goes five innings in pro debut (updated)

Hagerstown's Matt Purke goes five innings in pro debut (updated)
Left-hander Matt Purke made his professional debut Wednesday at Greensboro for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Purke allowed a controversial two-run homer that appeared foul, and an RBI double, leaving after five innings with the Suns down 5-3. He finished scattering seven hits, allowing five runs, five walks and struck out one on an estimated 83 pitches. The home run appeared close to being or could have been a foul ball, according to a club source. Manager Brian Daubach argued the...

Despite rain-shortened rehab game, Morse "felt great"

Despite rain-shortened rehab game, Morse "felt great"
WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Despite a rain-shortened game, Nationals outfielder Michael Morse was able to get two plate appearances in for high Single-A Potomac Nationals in their game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Wednesday night at Pfitzner Stadium. Morse walked and struck out, finishing 0-for-1 in a pair of opportunities, before the rain arrived and suspended the game in the top of the fifth with two outs. Potomac was leading 3-0. Morse said he "felt great" and it was still a worthwhile...

In-game update for Michael Morse at Potomac with walk and strikeout

In-game update for Michael Morse at Potomac with walk and strikeout
WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- Nationals left fielder Michael Morse, batting third, is the designated hitter for the Potomac Nationals in their contest against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. In the bottom of the first with two outs, against Pelicans' right-hander Roman Mendez, Morse walked on a 3-2 count. He swung and missed with the count 2-0 and then fouled back the fourth pitch to the screen. Morse was left on base when cleanup hitter David Freitas flied out to left to end the inning. Morse said...

Purke to make pro debut Wednesday morning in Greensboro

Purke to make pro debut Wednesday morning in Greensboro
Nationals pitching prospect Matt Purke will make his professional debut Wednesday for Hagerstown, according to a club source. Purke will start for the Suns, the Nationals' Single-A affiliate, as they finish up a three-game series Wednesday morning at Greensboro. Game time 10:45 a.m. No details on if Purke is on an innings limit or pitch count for this first start. For Purke, 2012 has been spent exclusively in extended spring training, where the left-hander has been working since April. The...

Nationals' Morse batting third as designated hitter tonight in Potomac rehab tilt

Nationals' Morse batting third as designated hitter tonight in Potomac rehab tilt
The Potomac Nationals have announced their lineup for tonight's 7::05 p.m. matchup with Myrtle Beach. Michael Morse bats third: Blake Kelso 3B Adrian Sanchez 2B Michael Morse DH David Freitas C Ricky Hague SS Justin Bloxom 1B Michael Taylor CF JP Ramirez RF Kevin Keyes LF LHP Matt Grace (2-6, 6.70) His future rehab schedule is predicated on how batting practice and the game goes tonight. I will have updates throughout (twitter: @bkerr32) and postgame beast-blog.

Harrisburg's Hood placed on disabled list, Kobernus out with thumb injury

Harrisburg's Hood placed on disabled list, Kobernus out with thumb injury
Double-A Harrisburg Senators outfielder Jeff Kobernus. Lecroy said they are watching Kobernus' status and being careful with him as well. "Kobernus has been bothered with a thumb (injury)," Lecroy said. "He hasn't played the last four games. We are resting him on the precautionary side to make sure he is healthy when he comes back. "He has had a solid year so far. The way he prepares every day for each game is just showing his maturity as a player. Hopefully, when we get him back, he...

Nationals not waiting til next year with latest moves

Nationals not waiting til next year with latest moves
The Nationals are signaling with their latest moves that this is the year. In the past, if a starter labored or went into a bad two- or three-start slump, the Nationals would stand pat, not able to make a significant change because they did not have the depth or alternative to solve the problem instantly. But through the work of ownership, general manager Mike Rizzo and the coaching staff, the Nats have shown they will make a move. Phenom Bryce Harper was called up earlier than most people...

Nationals' NL East dominance a good sign for pennant run

Nationals' NL East dominance a good sign for pennant run
The Nationals have now won every series they have played against National League East opponents, currently 10-3 versus Atlanta (2-0), Philadelphia (4-2), Miami (2-0) and the N.Y. Mets (2-1). This is a good time to be playing well because the schedule is all within the division for two weeks. The Nationals are in the middle of 15 straight games against NL East combatants. After tonight's finale at Atlanta, they go to Miami for three games beginning Monday afternoon. Next week, the Nationals...

Former Nationals hurler Milone right at home in California

Former Nationals hurler Milone right at home in California
Continuing to display the promise demonstrated in his Nationals late-season introduction, left-hander Tommy Milone is off to a great start with the Oakland Athletics. Through nine starts, the former Nationals hurler has gone 6-3 with a 3.75 ERA, recording 32 strikeouts to lead the Athletics. The southpaw has adjusted well, returning to his home state in a trade with pitchers Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole, and catcher Derek Norris, during the offseason. The Nationals received pitchers Gio...

Zimmerman hit solidifies 7-4 Nationals win in Atlanta

Zimmerman hit solidifies 7-4 Nationals win in Atlanta
It has not been the start Ryan Zimmerman wanted to have this season. Recovering from an injury and mustering only eight extra-base hits, his average has hovered below .250 in 30 games. You could tell the veteran was waiting for a game or an at-bat to break out of it. Baseball is a game of opportunity. That chance knocked on the door in the latter stages Friday night in Atlanta. Zimmerman had the answer. Braves starter Tim Hudson got into trouble in the seventh inning. Down 4-3 with two outs,...

Nationals and Braves lineups for Friday opener in Atlanta

Nationals and Braves lineups for Friday opener in Atlanta
Fresh off taking two of three from the Phillies, the Nationals venture to Turner Field tonight to take on the Atlanta Braves. Here is Davey Johnson's lineup: Steve Lombardozzi LF Bryce Harper RF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Ian Desmond SS Danny Espinosa 2B Rick Ankiel CF Jesus Flores C Ross Detwiler LHP Detwiler is 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA. This will be his ninth start of the season. He has lost three of his last four decisions. Detwiler is 1-0 with a 3.26 ERA against the Braves in six games...

Purke with another solid step forward in Florida

Purke with another solid step forward in Florida
One week after his last extended spring training game, left-hander Matt Purke took to the mound yesterday in Viera, Fla., for six innings and a club official said he "pitched well." Purke threw five innings last week, according to a club source, and his fastball hit 92 mph. On Thursday, Purke threw one more inning than last time and his velocity was "good," the official said. The Nats will wait a few days to decide what the next move would be. But I imagine if Purke can throw six innings,...

Could the Nationals have three or four players in the All-Star Game?

Could the Nationals have three or four players in the All-Star Game?
Every year, as the All-Star Game chatter gets going, the talk in Nationals nation is who they hope might get asked to be invited as a manager's choice, not which Nationals will actually be voted in or even how many will go. And usually the conversation centers around a Ryan Zimmerman or a Drew Storen. Every once and awhile a deserving Tyler Clippard or Dmitri Young gets the call. Not this season. There is an incredible Nationals buzz about this team throughout the league. This year's...