Dan Kolko

Talking hurlers and Harper

March 03, 2012, 11:56am

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Edwin Jackson said he spent today's outing focusing on his adjusted mechanics which should help him avoid tipping his pitches. Pitching coach Steve McCatty would prefer the righty didn't let those thoughts run through his head while on the mound. "To me, we're not going to make a mechanical issue about anything," McCatty said. "I'm not worried about tipping, nothing. I want him to be athletic, I want him to feel nice and smooth, I want him to feel like everything's...

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Jackson's focus on mechanical adjustments in debut (updated with 3-1 final)

March 03, 2012, 10:22am

Nationals

Jackson's focus on mechanical adjustments in debut (updated with 3-1 final)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Edwin Jackson got a bit of on-the-job training today. The Nationals starter is working to adjust his mechanics in an effort to avoid tipping his pitches, and so the 28-year-old spent much of today's two-inning stint against the Astros focusing on "timing" issues. "I felt good," Jackson said in the Nats clubhouse after his outing. "I had a few minor adjustments that I was able to go to the 'pen and work on after the two innings. Right now it's just touch and feel, but...

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Johnson looking hard at lefties

March 03, 2012, 7:28am

Nationals

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - New Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson will be on a pitch count of 40-45 for today's Grapefruit League opener against the Astros. Houston will send very few "names" against Jackson today, unless Jack Cust and Jed Lowrie are your idea of stud big leaguers. Manager Davey Johnson wrote up a lineup dominated by left-handed hitters today, largely because the Nats will face right-hander Livan Hernandez, but also because Johnson wants to get a look at some of the lefties who...

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Today marks Harper's first true test

March 02, 2012, 7:02pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - How many blog entries can one reporter write about one specific player in one spring training? Get ready to find out. I've been here two days and somehow I already feel like I've typed Bryce Harper's name a thousand times. It's certainly no secret that Harper is the story of this year's Nationals spring training. I wrote about the 19-year-old phenom following his 0-for-2 effort (which included a four-pitch walk) in yesterday's exhibition opener, I'm writing about him...

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Harper creative yet quiet in spring opener

March 02, 2012, 11:06am

Nationals

Harper creative yet quiet in spring opener

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals fans might be eager to see Bryce Harper mash home runs and rack up RBIs in spring training, but leading off the third inning in today's exhibition game against Georgetown, the Nats' top prospect decided he wanted to drop down a bunt. It might not be Harper's forte, and the Nats sure don't expect the power-hitting right fielder to make bunting a major part of his game, but, hey, this is the time to work on those kinds of things, I guess. "In the on-deck circle, I...

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Outfielder Perez turning heads with his speed (Nats win 3-0)

March 02, 2012, 8:54am

Nationals

Outfielder Perez turning heads with his speed (Nats win 3-0)

VIERA, Fla. - If you're an opposing infielder and Eury Perez hits the ball on the ground, good luck throwing out the speedy outfielder. Same goes for opposing catchers should Perez decide to try and swipe a bag. Perez, a 21-year-old who played last year at Single-A Potomac, doesn't have a hit yet today, but he's still found a way to make a major impact on this afternoon's game against Georgetown. The speedster has already scored two runs since entering the game in the bottom of the...

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Purke's spring debut a strong one

March 02, 2012, 8:02am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Sure, it was against collegiate opposition, but Matt Purke looked pretty darn good in his spring debut. Facing Georgetown University in the Nationals' first game of the spring, Purke - the Nats' third-round pick in June's draft - went three strong innings, allowing no runs and just one hit. Purke struck out three (including two looking) and did not walk a batter. He threw 32 pitches, 23 for strikes, and was pulled in favor of righty Rafael Martin to start the fourth...

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Johnson a bit too "frisky" for exhibition opener

March 02, 2012, 5:32am

Nationals

Johnson a bit too "frisky" for exhibition opener

VIERA, Fla. - Think it's just players who get pumped up for the first exhibition game of spring training? Think again. Nationals manager Davey Johnson was so juiced (or, in his words, "frisky") for today's exhibition against Georgetown that he ramped up his morning treadmill session. The result wasn't what the skipper was hoping for. "I overloaded my hummingbird rear end and a little air came out of my right hammy," Johnson said with a smile. "So, I'm not quite ready yet, is what...

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Annual opening day block party continues at Sports Legends Museum

February 20, 2012, 9:29am

Orioles

Annual opening day block party continues at Sports Legends Museum

Opening day is always a celebration of sorts in Baltimore, as fans pack Camden Yards and revel in another season getting underway. But as has been the case the last 21 years, you have the opportunity to celebrate opening day with Orioles fans right outside the park even before the party inside Oriole Park begins. The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation is hosting their annual "Opening Day Block Party" again this season, complete with food, drink and plenty of O's fun. The event will be held...

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Nationals exercise Davey Johnson's managerial option

October 31, 2011, 6:46am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced they have exercised Davey Johnson's managerial option for the 2012 season. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Johnson will continue the on-field efforts he began on June 27, when he assumed the Nationals' managerial helm. "After a series of discussions, it became obvious that the Nationals would be best served if Davey Johnson would continue as manager," Rizzo said....

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Orioles recall LHP Mark Hendrickson from Triple-A Norfolk

August 28, 2011, 7:48am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today that they have recalled LHP Mark Hendrickson from Triple-A Norfolk. Hendrickson, 37, appeared in seven games for the Orioles earlier this season, going 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA (10.0IP, 6ER). In 24 games for Norfolk, Hendrickson was 2-4 with a 2.87 ERA (59.2IP, 19ER). The Orioles today placed LHP Troy Patton on the restricted list. Patton appeared in 11 games for the Orioles, going 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA (16.1IP, 7ER).

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Nationals recall RHP Yunesky Maya from Syracuse

July 30, 2011, 6:19pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Yunesky Maya from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The 29 year-old Maya joins the Nationals for a second time this season, as he went 0-1 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts with Washington from May 29-June 14. Maya, who will get the start tonight vs. New York (NL) in place of the recently-traded Jason Marquis, is...

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Nationals acquire SS Zachary Walters from Diamondbacks

July 30, 2011, 6:17pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today acquired 21 year-old switch-hitting shortstop Zachary Walters from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. In his second professional season, Walters is a career .302 (192-for-636) hitter with 45 doubles, 10 triples, 13 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 166 games. Walters earned All-Star status (2011 Midwest League,...

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O's acquire RHP Tommy Hunter & INF Chris Davis from Rangers in exchange for RHP Koji Uehara

July 30, 2011, 6:15pm

Orioles

O's acquire RHP Tommy Hunter & INF Chris Davis from Rangers in exchange for RHP Koji Uehara

The Orioles tonight announced that they have acquired RHP Tommy Hunter and INF Chris Davis from the Texas Rangers in exchange for RHP Koji Uehara. Hunter, 25, is 23-13 with a 4.36 ERA (266.1IP, 129ER) and 151 strikeouts in 53 career games (44 starts) over parts of four seasons with Texas, including 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA (128.0IP, 53ER) and 68 strikeouts in 23 games (22 starts) in 2010. A Rangers' first round draft pick (54th overall selection) in the 2007 First Year Player Draft, Hunter went...

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Orioles option RHP Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk, recall LHP Zach Britton from Double-A Bowie

July 30, 2011, 6:12pm

Orioles

The Orioles announced after today's first game that they have optioned RHP Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk and recalled LHP Zach Britton from Double-A Bowie. Britton will start the second game of today's doubleheader. Britton, 23, is 6-7 with a 4.05 ERA (104.1IP, 47ER) in 18 starts for the Orioles this season. Tillman, 23, started today against the Yankees in game one of the doubleheader and took the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings. He went 3-3 with a 4.17 ERA...

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Nationals place C Ivan Rodriguez on 15-day DL, recall C Jesus Flores from Syracuse

July 08, 2011, 11:33am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today placed catcher Ivan Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 7, with a right oblique strain and recalled catcher Jesus Flores from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Flores, 26, joins the Nationals after batting .234 (49-for-209) with 15 doubles, five homers and 30 RBIs in 56 International League contests with Syracuse....

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Jones could still earn All-Star bid

July 04, 2011, 9:41am

Orioles

When the 2011 All-Star Game rosters were announced yesterday, Adam Jones didn't hear his name called. But that doesn't necessarily mean the Orioles outfielder won't get to take the field July 12 in Arizona for the 82nd annual Midsummer Classic. Jones, who made his All-Star debut in 2009, is among five American League nominees who are up for the All-Star Game Final Vote. The winner will earn the last spot on the AL roster for next Tuesday's game. The 25-year-old Jones has put together an...

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Washington Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard named National League All-Star, 1B Michael Morse Part of '11 All-Star Game Final Vote

July 03, 2011, 12:34pm

Nationals

Washington Nationals right-handed middle reliever Tyler Clippard today was named a National League All-Star by Giants field manager Bruce Bochy and Major League Baseball. The 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be held at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ on Tuesday, July 12. Clippard is 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA in 37 appearances with the Nationals. The All-Star citation is the first of his career. Clippard leads MLB with 21 holds. The only other big league pitcher with as many as 18 holds is...

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Nationals reinstate OF Rick Ankiel from DL, place INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. on DL

July 01, 2011, 12:04pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated outfielder Rick Ankiel from the 15-Day Disabled List and placed infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. (right wrist fracture) on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to June 30. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ankiel missed the last 14 games after being placed on the DL on June 19, retroactive to June 15, with a left intercostal strain. The...

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Orioles option LHP Brian Matusz to Triple-A Norfolk

June 30, 2011, 6:30pm

Orioles

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned LHP Brian Matusz to Triple-A Norfolk. Matusz has gone 1-4 with an 8.77 ERA (25.2IP, 25ER) in six starts for the Orioles this season. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow.