Byron Kerr

Exhibition game lineups: Nats vs. Yankees

March 25, 2019, 8:46am

The Nationals take on the New York Yankees in their final tune-up exhibition before the season begins Thursday at Nats Park against the New York Mets. Weather permitting, right-hander AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will start for the Nationals against Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. (0-1, 3.29). It is all regulars in the lineup except for Kurt Suzuki starting instead of Yan Gomes at catcher. Matt Adams will be the designated hitter. Manager Davey Martinez had said during spring...

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Tim Cate excited to get full season started after fruitful spring

March 25, 2019, 5:18am

Nationals

Tim Cate excited to get full season started after fruitful spring

Left-hander Tim Cate enjoyed spring training but is also excited and ready to begin the regular season. Cate is ranked the Nationals No. 8 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline heading into 2019. "I'm excited," Cate said last week from West Palm Beach, Fla. "Spring training has been a ball but I'm excited to actually start playing real games and be in a squad. It feels like you don't know where you're at yet just because there are so many players in spring training. But I'm...

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Noll's bat and defense provide Nats with valuable depth

March 23, 2019, 7:15am

Nationals

Noll's bat and defense provide Nats with valuable depth

Infielder Jake Noll is battling for a spot on the Nationals' 25-man roster. But even if he doesn't begin the season with the big club, he certainly has demonstrated in spring training that he can hit at this level and does a nice job of fielding any position they put him at on the field. He starts at first base today as spring training wraps up. Noll says he works at every infield spot in pregame drills and can also play in the outfield. "When I first got drafted, I didn't know where I was...

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Crowe looking strong as minor league camp rolls along

March 20, 2019, 3:16am

Nationals

Crowe looking strong as minor league camp rolls along

It's been well documented when covering Nationals prospects in 2018 that the outstanding record of right-hander Wil Crowe at high Single-A Potomac was followed with some tough outings after a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg. Crowe, a 6-foot-2, 240-lb. South Carolina product, went 11-0 with the P-Nats and then 0-5 with the Senators. The right-hander told me fatigue set in as his longest season ever wore on and his arm slot started to change, which caused some issues with his mechanics. "It...

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Nats starters getting on same page with Gomes and Suzuki

March 19, 2019, 3:33am

Nationals

Nats starters getting on same page with Gomes and Suzuki

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Communication and the exchange of new ideas and strategies are part of the relationship building going on in spring training between Nationals pitchers and two new veteran catchers, Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki. Nats ace Max Scherzer focused after his Friday start on how the exchange of new ideas and relationship building with Gomes is a process that is beginning to gain momentum as spring training comes to a close. Scherzer likes the idea of having Gomes and Suzuki on the...

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Ross sharp in his longest outing of spring as Nats win 6-5 over Mets

March 18, 2019, 12:31pm

Nationals

Ross sharp in his longest outing of spring as Nats win 6-5 over Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Right-hander Joe Ross looked comfortable and his pitches were sharp in his first start of spring since returning from Tommy John surgery. Ross allowed a two-run shot to Michael Conforto, but finished three innings looking strong, mixing four pitches and hitting mid-90s with his fastball. Ross fired 61 pitches, 44 for strikes, scattering four hits, allowing two runs with no walks and striking out three. It was his longest outing of spring training in his sixth overall...

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Martinez looking to stretch out Ross as season approaches (Nats win 6-5)

March 18, 2019, 6:16am

Nationals

Martinez looking to stretch out Ross as season approaches (Nats win 6-5)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Martinez's goal for right-hander Joe Ross is to get through three innings today in his first spring training start, a split-squad affair against the Mets on the road. Ross has appeared in five games in a relief role from February 23 to March 12. He has gone 7 2/3 total innings and has a 1.17 ERA. He has seven strikeouts and walked three. "We want to stretch him out a little bit," Martinez said. "See if we can get him three up and downs. We...

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With more playing time, Stevenson putting hits together

March 17, 2019, 1:23pm

Nationals

With more playing time, Stevenson putting hits together

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Andrew Stevenson has had a base hit in his last four Nationals spring training games. It comes at a good time for the former LSU star, who is now in play for the fourth outfield spot again come opening day with the injury to Michael A. Taylor. Stevenson has now had a base hit in five of his last seven appearances. His double at the end of Saturday's game against the Cardinals wrapped around to a single and run scored to begin Sunday's game against the Mets. "He could...

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After a few missteps, Romero focused solely on Tommy John recovery

March 17, 2019, 9:44am

Nationals

After a few missteps, Romero focused solely on Tommy John recovery

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Left-hander Seth Romero is on schedule and progressing well as he recovers from Tommy John surgery seven months ago, hoping to write a positive next chapter after a few off-the-field missteps. "It's going really good," Romero said. "They have a bunch of guys who have been through the same process, so I'm just doing what they tell me. So far, so good. "The rehab guys, we work out six days a week and we throw three days out of the week. We do shoulder care every day....

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Teenager Mason Denaburg ready for live baseball with Nats

March 17, 2019, 2:56am

Nationals

Teenager Mason Denaburg ready for live baseball with Nats

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Right-hander Mason Denaburg, the Nationals' 2018 first-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft, is making very good progress in his first spring training. The 6-foot-4, 195-lb. right-hander did side work Saturday in preparation for his first live pitching session Tuesday. He threw 40 pitches Saturday and now will have two days off. Denaburg will pitch in a live simulated game Tuesday where he will throw fastballs, changeups and curveballs. He gets six days off between...

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With help from Gomes, Scherzer slows down Cards

March 16, 2019, 1:31pm

Nationals

With help from Gomes, Scherzer slows down Cards

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Despite allowing an early run, Nationals ace Max Scherzer was his regular season self Saturday as the club gets closer and closer to opening day. Scherzer threw 87 pitches, 63 for strikes over six innings, allowing only a first-inning run to the Cardinals. The Nats built a 5-1 lead, but the Cards came back late to post an 8-5 win. Scherzer struck out nine, walked none and at one point retired 14 batters in a row, getting into a nice rhythm with his new backstop, veteran...

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Versatile Difo gets call to start in center field (Nats fall 8-5)

March 16, 2019, 6:47am

Nationals

Versatile Difo gets call to start in center field (Nats fall 8-5)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - With the injury to outfielder Michael A. Taylor, the Nationals will have to make some adjustments to the lineup with spring training winding down. Manager Davey Martinez opted to go with Wilmer Difo in center field for today's game against the Cardinals. Difo has played in 248 games at infield positions for the Nats over the past four seasons, but only seven games in the outfield. That doesn't faze Martinez, who has tremendous confidence in Difo's athletic ability to...

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Teenager Garcia adding strength and defensive skill to hitting prowess

March 15, 2019, 11:42am

Nationals

Teenager Garcia adding strength and defensive skill to hitting prowess

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Shortstop Luis Garcia has done a nice job in 15 games with the Nationals this spring training, slashing .316/.381/.316 with six hits, seven runs scored and two RBIs. Garcia, 18, is currently listed as the No. 3 rated prospect in the Nats system, according to MLB Pipeline. Director of player development Mark Scialabba said his hitting skills have been apparent since the Nats signed the youngster in July 2016. He said it's only a matter of time before Garcia adds power to...

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Noll demonstrating versatility on defense to go with quick bat

March 15, 2019, 3:37am

Nationals

Noll demonstrating versatility on defense to go with quick bat

Third baseman Jake Noll has done a very nice job of demonstrating how good a baseball player he is in the Nationals system with some quality numbers in spring training. Noll, 25, has hit .367 in 17 games with four doubles, two homers and nine RBIs, turning heads in his Florida foray. He has struck out only seven times, scored 10 runs and walked four times in 30 at-bats, grabbing the attention of the Nats development staff. "He's off to a really good start," said Nationals player development...

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Nationals spring training minor league games begin March 15

March 11, 2019, 12:58pm

Nationals

Nationals minor league games begins March 15 with four against Marlins affiliates. Potomac and Hagerstown each play a game versus Miami's High Single-A and Low Single-A teams on the back fields in West Palm Beach. The games are free to the public. Fresno and Harrisburg play separate games against the Marlins' Triple-A and Double-A squads at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., that same day. The Nats' Triple-A and Double-A teams play their first games at home in West Palm Beach March 16...

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Fresno Grizzlies announce 2019 radio and television game schedule

March 05, 2019, 12:09pm

Nationals

Fresno Grizzlies announce 2019 radio and television game schedule

The new Triple-A Nationals affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies, have announced their radio and television broadcast agreements for the 2019 season. All 140 games, and any playoff contests, will be broadcast live on the radio on KRDU 1130 AM from Dinuba, Calif. Nats fans can access the radio broadcasts free of charge on FresnoGrizzlies.com and on the MiLB app. Radio simulcast of every Grizzlies game, home or road, is available on MiLB.tv and FresnoGrizzlies.com to subscribers, with most in high...

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2019 Nationals minor league spring training roster

March 02, 2019, 7:19am

Nationals

MASNsports.com has obtained a copy of the 2019 Washington Nationals minor league roster for spring training: Right-handed pitchers 64 Carlos Acevedo 37 Joan Adon 54 Tomas Alastre 26 Elvis Alvarado 29 Dakota Bacus 61 Joan Baez 57 Frankie Bartow 53 A.J. Bogucki 47 Jared Brasher 49 Ryan Brinley 55 Jacob Condra-Bogan 56 Jake Cousins 41 Carlos Cuello 56 Weston Davis 35 Chandler Day 60 Jose De Los Santos 51 Mason Denaburg 34 Brady Dragmire 60 Tanner Driskill 38 Paolo Espino 41 Steven Fuentes 34...

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Nats will be just fine without Bryce Harper

February 28, 2019, 3:27pm

Nationals

Nats will be just fine without Bryce Harper

So will the Nats Park crowd greet former Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in a Phillies uniform April 2 for that first at-bat with resounding boos? Or will there be a standing ovation like Ian Desmond enjoyed in his return to D.C. after leaving for another team? If there are boos, Harper will let it wash off like he has every other time he has been greeted with a negative reaction in an opponent's park. Every time I covered the Nats on the road, in places like Milwaukee, Atlanta, New York,...

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Fredericksburg Baseball stadium groundbreaking attracts more than 1,000 fans

February 24, 2019, 2:36pm

Nationals

Fredericksburg Baseball stadium groundbreaking attracts more than 1,000 fans

"Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come." - Terence Mann (James Earl Jones) from the movie "Field of Dreams" (1989) FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - A crowd estimated at around 1,000 roared its approval when this scene was played on the video screen at the Fredericksburg Convention & Expo Center off of Carl D. Silver Parkway on Sunday, kicking off the ceremonial groundbreaking for the brand new baseball stadium for the Potomac Nationals. Could have just as well been...

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Report: Lerner says Nats, Harper reps have not spoken in months

February 22, 2019, 5:47am

Nationals

Report: Lerner says Nats, Harper reps have not spoken in months

The door is still not shut. Or ... It's over. Time to move on. The latter message seemed to be the stronger of the two from Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner speaking to NBC Sports Washington today regarding the free agency destination possibilities for Bryce Harper, who has played his entire career with the Nationals. Lerner spoke to NBC Sports Washington and said that the team made an offer to Harper and agent Scott Boras back in October, but have not "heard from them in a couple of...