Dan Kolko

More on the Christian Garcia dilemma

February 18, 2013, 7:11pm

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson gets why Christian Garcia might prefer to remain a reliever. Johnson knows that after spending eight-plus years in the minor leagues, Garcia finally was able to make it to the bigs because he became a dominant late-inning guy out of the bullpen. The Nats skipper understands that if everything else was equal and Garcia had his pick of roles, he'd probably choose to remain a bullpen guy on the big league squad. But Johnson also knows that Garcia...

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Rizzo on Garcia's role, Skole's progress, Rodriguez's health

February 18, 2013, 10:43am

Nationals

Rizzo on Garcia's role, Skole's progress, Rodriguez's health

VIERA, Fla. - Is Christian Garcia a starter? Is the promising 27-year-old a reliever? No one knows at this point, not even Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo or manager Davey Johnson. The Nationals' decision makers are coming into this spring with an open mind on Garcia, letting how the righty pitches and how their pitching staff is constructed steer their decision on how Garcia will be used. "We know he can do both, and that's an important thing," Rizzo said early this afternoon....

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Soriano impresses in first bullpen session as a National

February 18, 2013, 9:03am

Nationals

Soriano impresses in first bullpen session as a National

VIERA, Fla. - This was Rafael Soriano's first bullpen session since arriving at Nationals camp on Saturday, so he wasn't about to overdo it. Soriano took part in some long toss as the Nationals' pitchers warmed up at the start of their workout, then chatted with manager Davey Johnson and pitching coach Steve McCatty, the three men discussing how heavy a workload to give Soriano early in camp. The 33-year-old righty then took a mound about midway down the bullpen 10-pack, two mounds away...

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Strasburg to start Nats' spring opener (plus Ramos note)

February 18, 2013, 8:22am

Nationals

Strasburg to start Nats' spring opener (plus Ramos note)

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' Grapefruit League opener is now just five days away, and while pitchers haven't started throwing live batting practice yet, manager Davey Johnson already knows who his starter for the spring opener will be. Stephen Strasburg will get the ball Saturday, as the Nationals head to Port St. Lucie to take on the Mets in their first Grapefruit League game of the year. The Nationals' spring home opener against the Marlins, which is Sunday, will be started by Jordan...

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Various Monday morning odds and ends

February 18, 2013, 3:02am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - He might have a new team's colors on these days, but Michael Morse can still crush a baseball. That apparently hasn't changed. Now a member of the Mariners after being traded out west this offseason, Morse reportedly struck a ball so well during batting practice yesterday that it not only flew over the outfield fence, but also had enough distance to carry a road before coming down in a parking lot beyond left field. Here's a picture of exactly how far Morse's shot reportedly...

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Notes from the first full-squad workout of spring

February 17, 2013, 10:31am

Nationals

Notes from the first full-squad workout of spring

VIERA, Fla. - Players, coaches and reporters braved the elements this morning for the first full-squad workout of Nationals camp, spending about 1 hour, 45 minutes on the minor league fields. OK, so I know low-40s and windy is nothing compared to what those of you up north are dealing with these days. But humor me as I continue a baseball writer's spring training tradition of complaining when the temperature dips below 55 degrees. It was a fairly quiet, low-key workout today; pitchers in the...

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Johnson on Cole Kimball: "I think he's back"

February 17, 2013, 9:18am

Nationals

Johnson on Cole Kimball: "I think he's back"

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals fans got a glimpse of Cole Kimball's immense ability in the early part of the 2011 season. Unfortunately, it was just a brief glimpse. Kimball posted a 1.93 ERA over 12 appearances in 2011, holding hitters to a .174 batting average and not looking at all like an intimidated 25-year-old rookie. A torn rotator cuff derailed Kimball's career, however, costing him the rest of the 2011 campaign and limiting him to just six minor league rehab appearances last season. After...

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Gonzalez to join Team USA for second round of World Baseball Classic

February 17, 2013, 8:44am

Nationals

Gonzalez to join Team USA for second round of World Baseball Classic

VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez is excited to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but the Nationals lefty will need to wait until the second round of the tournament before taking the mound for his country. Nats manager Davey Johnson was informed by Team USA pitching coach Greg Maddux that Gonzalez will pitch in the WBC March 12, should Team USA not be eliminated in the initial pool stage. This would allow Gonzalez to make three spring training starts for the Nationals, which Johnson...

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One of the more intriguing players in Nats camp

February 17, 2013, 4:25am

Nationals

One of the more intriguing players in Nats camp

VIERA, Fla. - With Rafael Soriano's visa issue in the past and all their position players having reported, the Nationals now have all 53 of their guys in camp. The physicals have all been taken, the eye and dental exams complete. It's time for the first official full-squad workout of spring. It's a chilly 40-degree morning here on the east coast of Florida, and before the Nationals take to the fields for bullpen sessions, batting practice and various drills, manager Davey Johnson will step...

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Nats making early attempt to cut down on stolen bases allowed

February 16, 2013, 12:03pm

Nationals

Nats making early attempt to cut down on stolen bases allowed

VIERA, Fla. - It was a very quiet morning out on the minor league fields today. Little of note actually went down, as pitchers and catchers took part in a basic rotation of drills that included bunting, pickoff throws to first base, comebackers, pickoff throws to second base and fielding dribblers up the line. The Nationals give their pitchers two days off after bullpen sessions early in spring, so with the "A" group of pitchers having thrown on Thursday and the "B" group taking the mound...

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Twenty good minutes with Jayson Werth

February 16, 2013, 10:23am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Jayson Werth arrived at Space Coast Stadium today, took a look around the Nationals clubhouse and liked what he saw. Werth talked with reporters for more than 20 minutes this afternoon, covering a wide range of topics. But one of the first things Werth discussed was how talented the Nationals are. Such comments drew a question about whether Werth had even been on a team that was as complete on paper as this Nats squad. "Has there ever been a team that's this complete on...

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Soriano arrives, Zimmermann talks contract

February 16, 2013, 5:14am

Nationals

Soriano arrives, Zimmermann talks contract

VIERA, Fla. - Rafael Soriano had hoped to arrive to Nationals camp a little early in order to get acclimated to a new team, coaching staff and teammates. A visa issue delayed his arrival by a few days, but after getting his visa stamped yesterday, Soriano arrived at Space Coast Stadium this morning, ready to get things started. He gave a hug to Gio Gonzalez, briefly chatted with pitching coach Steve McCatty as Latin music played from his iPhone and then went to go get in his first workout in...

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The decision that set Ryan Perry's career on a new track

February 16, 2013, 2:35am

Nationals

The decision that set Ryan Perry's career on a new track

VIERA, Fla. - It was almost midway through the season last year when Ryan Perry placed a phone call. Perry, a 6-foot-4, 215-lb. right-hander with a power fastball and an intimidating mound presence, was confident that he had the ability to pitch at the major league level. He got a cup of coffee with the Nationals in May, appearing in seven games out of the bullpen before being sent back down to the minors. A former first-round pick of the Tigers with loads of talent, Perry knew he still had...

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Nats, Zimmermann agree to terms, avoiding arbitration (updated)

February 15, 2013, 12:51pm

Nationals

Nats, Zimmermann agree to terms, avoiding arbitration (updated)

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals and right-hander Jordan Zimmermann have agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the 2013 season, avoiding arbitration, the team announced. Zimmermann, 26, was eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason. His agent had asked for $5.8 million for the 2013 season, while the Nationals had countered with $4.6 million. Terms of the deal are not yet known. The two sides had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Feb. 19, but today's deal means an arbiter...

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Talking haircuts, contracts and expectations with Adam LaRoche

February 15, 2013, 12:36pm

Nationals

Talking haircuts, contracts and expectations with Adam LaRoche

VIERA, Fla. - When Adam LaRoche walked into the Nationals clubhouse this morning, his 11-year-old son Drake was right behind him, as is often the case, and was wheeling a bag filled with baseball gear. Nationals players and clubhouse staffers flocked from all around to welcome the LaRoches - both of them - with hugs and handshakes. This is a beloved duo around these parts. The LaRoches unpacked their camouflage pants and t-shirts, dressed and answered numerous questions about what the heck...

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Johnson impressed with Haren, likes Rodriguez's progress

February 15, 2013, 11:30am

Nationals

Johnson impressed with Haren, likes Rodriguez's progress

VIERA, Fla. - Dan Haren's first mound session as a member of the Nationals was a strong one. Haren, signed to a one-year, $13 million deal this offseason, stood between fellow right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard this morning, and the 32-year-old toed the rubber and fired pitches into the glove of catcher Jhonatan Solano. It was the first time Haren has thrown in front of manager Davey Johnson, and Johnson liked what he saw. "I was impressed with Dan Haren," Johnson said....

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Ryan Zimmerman returning to his natural throwing motion

February 15, 2013, 10:08am

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman returning to his natural throwing motion

VIERA, Fla. - The days of the robotic throwing motion are over. No longer will Ryan Zimmerman need a seemingly 12-step process to get the ball from his glove to the first baseman. And boy, are Zimmerman and those around him happy about it. Zimmerman had arthroscopic surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder early this offseason, a procedure that should allow him to return to his natural throwing motion and make his awkward, rigid tosses thing of the past. The Nationals third baseman...

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Soriano has his visa, plus workout notes

February 15, 2013, 8:12am

Nationals

Soriano has his visa, plus workout notes

VIERA, Fla. - Rafael Soriano has obtained his visa and is expected to be at Nationals camp in the next day or two, according to a team source. The deadline for pitchers and catchers to report to spring training was Tuesday, but Soriano was unable to arrive on time due to an issue with his visa. A native of the Dominican Republic, Soriano should be here shortly and will get with manager Davey Johnson and pitching coach Steve McCatty to discuss how he'll be used early in camp. The Nationals...

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Haren eager to show injuries, drop in velocity won't hold him back

February 15, 2013, 2:36am

Nationals

Haren eager to show injuries, drop in velocity won't hold him back

VIERA, Fla. - Assuming Mother Nature doesn't play a factor, we should have plenty going on around Nationals camp today. Pitchers and catchers will take to the fields again this morning, with the hurlers who did not take part in bullpen sessions yesterday doing so today. We'll also see a host of guys trickle in throughout the morning and afternoon, as today is the report date for all position players. While three members of the Nationals' rotation got in a bullpen session yesterday, Jordan...

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Johnson talks lineup possibilities

February 14, 2013, 12:23pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - During his session with reporters earlier today, Bryce Harper was asked whether he felt moving to a spot in the middle of the batting order would be a normal progression for him. "I hope not. I like the two-spot," Harper replied, before adding that he'd gladly hit anywhere in the Nationals order as long as he remains in the lineup. Davey Johnson doesn't exactly buy that, largely because he says Harper has been telling him something else. While Harper might be keeping his...