Dan Kolko

Wilson Ramos: "I feel like I'm on the team again. I'm back"

February 14, 2013, 10:39am

VIERA, Fla. - As Wilson Ramos dropped into his crouch and prepared to receive the first pitch thrown by Zach Duke late this morning, Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty hollered at the 25-year-old catcher from behind the pitcher's mound. "The Tin Man's back!" McCatty shouted, referencing the all-grey gear that Ramos sports behind the plate. It had been a while since Ramos had tossed on his gear and squatted behind the plate. The last time he did so was May 12, when he tore the ACL and...

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A bulked-up Harper arrives with lofty personal, team goals

February 14, 2013, 9:41am

Nationals

A bulked-up Harper arrives with lofty personal, team goals

VIERA, Fla. - When Bryce Harper first walked into the Nationals clubhouse this morning, one thing was evident immediately. He's packed on a few pounds. I don't say that in a negative way. It's not like Harper was pounding Krispy Kremes all offseason and now has a gut. Far from it, in fact. He's a mountain of muscle now, with broad shoulders and a toned upper-body. Harper says he put on a good bit of muscle this offseason, bulking up to 230 lbs after being listed at 215 lbs. last season....

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Johnson discusses Soriano's absence, reactions from first workout

February 14, 2013, 8:58am

Nationals

Johnson discusses Soriano's absence, reactions from first workout

VIERA, Fla. - As I mentioned earlier, the Nationals have confirmed that closer Rafael Soriano's arrival at camp has been delayed by a visa issue. According to a source, because Soriano has a new employer, his previous visa, which was for five years, needs to be adjusted. While the Nats would obviously prefer to have Soriano in camp, it's still very early. Camp is extended this year because of the World Baseball Classic anyway, and it's not like Soriano hasn't been through this process...

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No sign of Rafael Soriano at Nationals camp (updated twice)

February 14, 2013, 4:41am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals pitchers and catchers are getting ready to take the fields for their first official workout of spring. All of them, that is, except for Rafael Soriano, who has not yet been seen at Nats camp. The deadline for pitchers and catchers to report was midnight Tuesday. Soriano's locker has clearly not been touched since it was assembled by the Nationals' clubhouse staff, and his parking pass still sits on the bottom ledge of the locker. Despite inquiries, team officials...

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Storen learning, growing through his toughest moments

February 13, 2013, 8:17pm

Nationals

Storen learning, growing through his toughest moments

VIERA, Fla. - "The Chief" is making a comeback. Chad Cordero, who spent six seasons with the Expos/Nationals organization and saved 128 games in that time, announced last night on Twitter that he has signed a minor league deal with the Angels. Now 30, Cordero won't be receiving an invitation to big league spring training, according to reports, so his journey back to the majors still has some obstacles. But Cordero, a former All-Star and fan favorite in D.C., has a chance. So you're...

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Early reports positive on Espinosa's shoulder

February 13, 2013, 11:35am

Nationals

Early reports positive on Espinosa's shoulder

VIERA, Fla. - A fairly quiet day at Space Coast Stadium is winding to a close, as players and coaches who spent much of the morning getting physicals have pretty much all rolled out for the day. In addition to the final group of pitchers reporting to the Nationals' facilities, we also saw a few more position players arrive today. Center fielder Denard Span, infielder Chad Tracy, first basemen Tyler Moore and Chris Marrero, outfielder Corey Brown and infielder Will Rhymes all checked in two...

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Rizzo: Gonzalez's situation doesn't intensify search for a starter

February 13, 2013, 10:40am

Nationals

Rizzo: Gonzalez's situation doesn't intensify search for a starter

VIERA, Fla. - We spoke to Gio Gonzalez yesterday about his involvement with Biogenesis, the anti-aging clinic that allegedly supplied performance-enhancing drugs to major league players. Today, we talked to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo about Gonzalez and his future. Because of Major League Baseball's ongoing investigation into Biogenesis and Tony Bosch, who ran the clinic, Rizzo couldn't say too much on Gonzalez and the Nats' plans for their star lefty. Rizzo did say, however, that...

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Notes and quotes from Davey Johnson's first media session this spring

February 13, 2013, 8:39am

Nationals

Notes and quotes from Davey Johnson's first media session this spring

VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson strolled into the home dugout at Space Coast Stadium a bit ago, wearing a blue track suit and sneakers, a smile on his face as the last season of his managerial career has gotten under way. After participating in meetings with coaches and front office members over parts of the last couple of days and taking his physical this morning, the 70-year-old Nationals skipper told stories of his offseason trip to Africa, recounting tales of watching a lion eating a warthog,...

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For Desmond, new training regimen, same baseball mentality

February 12, 2013, 7:14pm

Nationals

For Desmond, new training regimen, same baseball mentality

VIERA, Fla. - While the last few days have consisted of just some light workouts for the players who chose to arrive early to Nationals camp, today marks the first mandatory day in camp for pitchers and catchers. All pitchers and catchers on the roster were expected to report that they were in the area by midnight last night, so as of this morning, we have yet to receive word on whether everyone expected to be here is, in fact, here. That said, I haven't yet heard of any of the dreaded visa...

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Nats will get lots of love on FOX in 2013 (plus spring training statement)

February 12, 2013, 11:46am

Nationals

Nats will get lots of love on FOX in 2013 (plus spring training statement)

VIERA, Fla. - As part of a recent partnership between MASN and WUSA 9, the Nationals will have 20 regular season games simulcast on Channel 9 in 2013. Nats fans will also be able to catch their squad on FOX a number of times this season. According to

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A few notes on Strasburg, Rodriguez, Solis

February 12, 2013, 9:24am

Nationals

A few notes on Strasburg, Rodriguez, Solis

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium is starting to become a bit more crowded, as a handful of pitchers have been filing in throughout the morning, checking in with team trainers and coaches, and getting their throwing programs started. Christian Garcia, Matt Purke, Ryan Perry and Ryan Mattheus were among the guys to get in a bullpen session this morning, and Stephen Strasburg also took to one of the mounds out by the minor league fields this morning, throwing his...

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Gonzalez discusses his decision to play in World Baseball Classic

February 12, 2013, 6:54am

Nationals

Gonzalez discusses his decision to play in World Baseball Classic

VIERA, Fla. - After fielding five minutes of questions

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Gonzalez "very confident" he'll be cleared despite link to PED clinic

February 12, 2013, 6:15am

Nationals

Gonzalez "very confident" he'll be cleared despite link to PED clinic

VIERA, Fla. - After arriving here yesterday and taking part in a workout at Nationals camp this morning, Gio Gonzalez met with reporters and repeated the same message he delivered in a statement a couple weeks ago: He has never taken performance-enhancing drugs. Gonzalez talked with reporters for 15 minutes just a bit ago in the home dugout at Space Coast Stadium, and said that he's fully cooperated with Major League Baseball's investigation into his relationship with Biogenesis, a...

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Two different approaches to the World Baseball Classic

February 11, 2013, 8:04pm

Nationals

Two different approaches to the World Baseball Classic

VIERA, Fla. - Danny Espinosa was planning on participating in the World Baseball Classic. He had intended to suit up for Team Mexico and was looking forward to wearing a jersey with the Mexican flag, honoring his parents' heritage in the process. That won't be happening. Espinosa told reporters yesterday that he has decided to skip the WBC and will instead stay with the Nationals for the entirety of spring training. The 25-year-old learned early this offseason that he played out the end...

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Ramos nearly fully healthy, gunning for starting job

February 11, 2013, 12:17pm

Nationals

Ramos nearly fully healthy, gunning for starting job

VIERA, Fla. - Nine months after suffering a gruesome injury to his right knee that required two major surgeries, Wilson Ramos is back at Nationals camp feeling almost completely healthy. Ramos tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee in a May 12 game against the Reds last season, ending his season and leading to months and months of grueling rehab. You wouldn't know that Ramos sustained the injury by watching him these days, however. Now wearing jersey No. 40, the burly catcher walks...

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Nats giving Gonzalez his space (plus clubhouse notes)

February 11, 2013, 11:17am

Nationals

Nats giving Gonzalez his space (plus clubhouse notes)

VIERA, Fla. - I've got a couple more locker-positioning notes for you. Bryce Harper, who last spring was given a wide locker normally reserved for veterans only to see Jayson Werth take over half of it with his own stuff, has a big locker again this year. I'm guessing Werth won't be pushing his weight around this spring when it comes to Harper's locker, however. I'd say the kid earned a wide locker all to himself with his National League Rookie of the Year effort last season. The Nats'...

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Zimmermann talks contract negotiations, Purke talks about his health

February 11, 2013, 10:39am

Nationals

Zimmermann talks contract negotiations, Purke talks about his health

VIERA, Fla. - Greetings from the so-called "Panera Bureau" here in Viera, a popular spot for beat writers looking to grab a bite while working. If you're in town in the next couple weeks and swing by the local Panera around lunch time, you're bound to see a couple of us pounding away on our laptops. If I make fewer than 15 appearances in here during my time in Viera, I'll be shocked. Jordan Zimmermann has been in town for a handful of days now, even though he technically doesn't have...

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Strasburg "100 percent over" last season, eager to enter 2013 without limits

February 11, 2013, 9:11am

Nationals

Strasburg "100 percent over" last season, eager to enter 2013 without limits

VIERA, Fla. - The vast majority of pitchers are already in camp at this point, and with the exception of non-roster invitee Chris Snyder, every catcher is already here ahead of tomorrow's report date for pitchers and catchers. Gio Gonzalez is set to arrive tomorrow, and will speak with reporters about his link to the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis, which is being investigated into its reported dealing of performance-enhancing drugs. Gonzalez's locker is right next to Stephen Strasburg, his...

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Nats sign Will Ohman to minor league deal, plus early notes

February 11, 2013, 6:55am

Nationals

Nats sign Will Ohman to minor league deal, plus early notes

VIERA, Fla. - A whole host of Nationals players and staffers are at Space Coast Stadium today, getting in some throwing, taking some light batting practice and getting settled in for spring training. Among the players here already are Jordan Zimmermann, Craig Stammen, Ross Detwiler, Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, Stephen Strasburg, Nathan Karns, Wilson Ramos, Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, Jhonatan Solano, Sandy Leon, Roger Bernadina and Zach Duke. Davey Johnson is in the house, as well, after...

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MASN partnering with WUSA 9 to simulcast 20 games in 2013

February 11, 2013, 3:18am

Nationals

MASN partnering with WUSA 9 to simulcast 20 games in 2013

VIERA, Fla. - Coming off a 98-win season and the first National League East title in team history, anticipation and excitement for Nationals baseball has never been higher. And now, all Nats fans living in the Washington, D.C., area, even those without MASN, will be able to catch the action. MASN and WUSA 9 are partnering to simulcast 20 MASN-produced Nationals games on WUSA 9 TV in D.C., during the upcoming 2013 season. The slate of games on Channel 9 will begin with the Nats' April 1...