Mark Zuckerman

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Well, we've officially entered uncharted waters here. Spring training has been suspended, the start of the regular season delayed at least two weeks (and quite possibly more) due to the coronavirus pandemic. Anyone who insists he or she knows how this is going to proceed does not know how this is going to proceed. Nobody does. For now, teams are staying in place at their camps around Florida and Arizona. Nationals players have today off but will return to the complex...

0 Hits

Comments

Tags:

After weekend off, Nats will remain in Florida and work out

March 12, 2020, 3:08pm

Nationals

After weekend off, Nats will remain in Florida and work out

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals took the field this afternoon knowing this almost certainly was going to be their last Grapefruit League game for a while. What they didn't know was how they were going to pass the time until their next game - whenever that takes place. Following their 6-3 loss to the Yankees before a sellout crowd of 8,043 at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the Nationals front office and coaching staff gathered and met for more than an hour to devise a plan. Here's...

230 Hits

Comments

Tags:

coronavirus davey martinez mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime patrick corbin spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Spring games called, season delayed at least two weeks (updated)

March 12, 2020, 9:40am

Nationals

Spring games called, season delayed at least two weeks (updated)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals and Yankees are underway, with the first sellout crowd of the spring packed into FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches to watch this exhibition game. How long this game continues, though, is very much in question. As sporting events around the country are canceled due to the coronavirus, Major League Baseball reportedly is on the verge of suspending spring training. Commissioner Rob Manfred was on a conference call with club owners this afternoon, according...

330 Hits

Comments

Tags:

coronavirus davey martinez mark zuckerman max scherzer mlb nationals nationals pastime new york yankees patrick corbin spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Lineups: Nats vs. Yankees in West Palm Beach

March 12, 2020, 7:09am

Nationals

Lineups: Nats vs. Yankees in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - They are playing today at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. As of this moment. As we've seen, these things can change very quickly. For now, the Nationals are set to face the Yankees, with a sellout crowd expected. Friendly reminder: They may be wearing New York Yankees uniforms, but most of these guys are likely to open the season as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Nevertheless, Patrick Corbin is making the start, looking to build himself up to five innings if...

249 Hits

Comments

Tags:

lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime new york yankees patrick corbin spring training victor robles frontstory_nationals1

As events unfold in rapid fire, MLB has decision to make

March 11, 2020, 8:02pm

Nationals

As events unfold in rapid fire, MLB has decision to make

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Seventy-two hours ago, the notion of closing clubhouses to reporters and non-essential team personnel was laughable. Then it happened. Forty-eight hours ago, the suggestion that Major League Baseball games in Seattle, San Francisco and Oakland would have to be relocated or played in empty ballparks sounded ludicrous. Then it happened. Twenty-four hours ago, the possibility of the MLB season not starting on time due to the coronavirus pandemic seemed implausible. It...

266 Hits

Comments

Tags:

coronavirus davey martinez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime opening day spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Strasburg slows down, ends up dominating Astros

March 11, 2020, 1:52pm

Nationals

Strasburg slows down, ends up dominating Astros

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It might sound counterintuitive to someone who can throw a baseball as hard and as precise as he does, but Stephen Strasburg knows he's better when he throws with 90 percent effort, not 100 percent. That's especially true in spring training, when Strasburg's mind tempts him to give everything he's got. "You want to see it for yourself first," the right-hander said. "Because no matter how long the layoff, you want to make sure you've still got it. Then obviously...

223 Hits

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Harris confident he'll be ready for opener (Nats win 6-2)

March 11, 2020, 8:44am

Nationals

Harris confident he'll be ready for opener (Nats win 6-2)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Will Harris hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game yet, but the veteran reliever is confident he has enough time left to build his body up after suffering an abdominal strain to be part of the Nationals bullpen on opening day. "As of right now, I'll be there," he said. "I'll have cleats on. I'll be ready." Harris, the club's key bullpen acquisition over the winter, threw another bullpen session this morning and said he's progressing as he wants from the...

213 Hits

Comments

Tags:

houston astros mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training will harris featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

March 11, 2020, 6:38am

Nationals

Lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As opening day inches closer, lineups start to look more and more legit. Well, for some teams, anyway. The Nationals have a whole bunch of regulars playing this afternoon, including Adam Eaton, who will be the DH eight days after he had to leave a game with tightness in his hamstring. That's obviously a good sign. Eaton is batting in his customary No. 2 spot, behind Trea Turner and ahead of Eric Thames, who is the No. 3 hitter du jour. Juan Soto, Howie Kendrick,...

224 Hits

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton houston astros lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals1

Scherzer saga feels eerily familiar

March 10, 2020, 7:36pm

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If you paid any attention to the saga that was Max Scherzer's summer of 2019, the sequence of events that took place here over the last few days should not have surprised you. First there was manager Davey Martinez hinting that Scherzer might skip his scheduled Grapefruit League start, instead throwing an extra bullpen session, all in the name of saving up some of the bullets in his arm leading up to opening day. Then Martinez revealed Scherzer indeed wouldn't be...

197 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Braymer tries to make the most of fill-in start for Nats

March 10, 2020, 1:01pm

Nationals

Braymer tries to make the most of fill-in start for Nats

JUPITER, Fla. - Ben Braymer was told a few days ago to be prepared to start against the Marlins today, so the minor league lefty wasn't completely caught off guard this morning when he officially learned he'd be on the mound to start a Grapefruit League game for the first time. That didn't diminish his enthusiasm for this assignment. "Anytime you get a chance to start a game with the regulars behind you, that's exciting," he said. "I just got a little amped up." With Max Scherzer held...

215 Hits

Comments

Tags:

ben braymer davey martinez mark zuckerman miami marlins nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Scherzer skipping start due to discomfort in right side (updated)

March 10, 2020, 8:00am

Nationals

Scherzer skipping start due to discomfort in right side (updated)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Max Scherzer isn't starting today because of discomfort in his right side, a byproduct - he says - of mechanical changes he has made in the wake of last season's back and neck injuries, but one he insists won't affect his preparation for the rest of spring training or his projected opening day start in 16 days. The Nationals had already announced minor league left-hander Ben Braymer as their starter for today's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins in Jupiter,...

235 Hits

Comments

Tags:

ben braymer mark zuckerman max scherzer miami marlins nationals nationals pastime new york mets spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter

March 10, 2020, 5:28am

Nationals

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals are back after a day off, and a whole bunch of regulars are making the short drive from West Palm Beach to face the Marlins. There is one notable exception, however: Max Scherzer, who will not make this start. There's nothing wrong with Scherzer. Davey Martinez gave him the option of making his regularly scheduled start or throwing a couple of bullpen sessions over multiple days instead and then rejoining the rotation the next time around. Stephen Strasburg and...

0 Hits

Comments

Tags:

ben braymer kurt suzuki lineups mark zuckerman max scherzer miami marlins nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman spring training trea turner frontstory_nationals1

Nats still have several issues to resolve before camp breaks

March 09, 2020, 1:04pm

Nationals

Nats still have several issues to resolve before camp breaks

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Only 12 days from now, the Nationals will pack up and head north for good, officially set to begin their title defense. Time flies when you're having fun, huh? Most of the folks down here can't wait. They're itching to get this thing started. Manager Davey Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo might be a little less eager to break camp, at least until they're as confident as they can be this roster is ready to take on the rest of the National League. It's been a...

140 Hits

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton austin voth carter kieboom erick fedde joe ross mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training starlin castro will harris featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

With more help, Doolittle hopes this is the year he avoids IL

March 08, 2020, 7:35pm

Nationals

With more help, Doolittle hopes this is the year he avoids IL

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Sean Doolittle first reached the big leagues in June 2012, and over the next 26 months he managed to make 168 relief appearances without suffering an injury that cost him anything more than a couple of days. Then, one day in August 2014, he strained his right intercostal muscle and thus began a long streak of annual trips to the injured list. A six-year streak, as a matter of fact. Each of the last six seasons, Doolittle has spent at least two weeks on the IL. He's had...

172 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime sean doolittle spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Fedde impresses, bullpen labors, Kieboom errs again

March 08, 2020, 1:13pm

Nationals

Fedde impresses, bullpen labors, Kieboom errs again

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Circumstances may have left Erick Fedde in a tough spot to force his way onto the Nationals' opening day pitching staff, but the right-hander is nonetheless going to do whatever he can to make a positive impression as long as he remains in the running this spring. Outings like the one he authored today can only help. Fedde was sharp through three innings against a Tigers lineup featuring plenty of regulars before fading as his pitch count got too high in the fourth,...

178 Hits

Comments

Tags:

carter kieboom davey martinez detroit tigers erick fedde mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime roenis elias spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Read among first round of roster cuts (Nats lose 7-5)

March 08, 2020, 8:16am

Nationals

Read among first round of roster cuts (Nats lose 7-5)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals made their first round of cuts of the spring this morning, demoting seven players to the minors, including catching prospect Raudy Read. Read, the only player cut today who is on the 40-man roster, was optioned to Triple-A Fresno. The six others who were cut, all non-roster players, were reassigned to minor league camp: right-handers Jhonatan German, Derek Self and Paulo Espino, catcher Jakson Reetz, infielder Drew Ward and outfielder Mac...

172 Hits

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton davey martinez detroit tigers mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime raudy read spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Lineups: Nats vs. Tigers in West Palm Beach

March 08, 2020, 5:29am

Nationals

Lineups: Nats vs. Tigers in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If you needed more evidence that Victor Robles and Eric Thames emerged from Saturday's return from injury feeling strong, here it is: Both are back in the lineup today against the Tigers. Robles will again lead off and serve as designated hitter. Thames, who was the DH in Saturday's home split-squad game, will bat second and play first base. All of this is a good sign that both guys are fully healed and ready for the two-week push to get ready for opening day. Robles...

148 Hits

Comments

Tags:

detroit tigers eric thames erick fedde jordan zimmermann lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime victor robles frontstory_nationals1

Ross has first hiccup, still looks like top pick for No. 5 starter

March 07, 2020, 6:10pm

Nationals

Ross has first hiccup, still looks like top pick for No. 5 starter

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez had to decide which of Saturday's split-squad games to attend in person. He could stay at home and watch Joe Ross and a few Nationals regulars face the Marlins, or he could go to Port St. Lucie and watch Austin Voth and his entire projected starting infield face the Mets. Martinez chose to stay here, in large part because he wanted to watch Ross' third start of the spring firsthand. If you needed another tea leaf to read about the Nationals' intentions...

196 Hits

Comments

Tags:

austin voth davey martinez joe ross mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Thames and Robles don't hold back in return from injuries

March 07, 2020, 12:16pm

Nationals

Thames and Robles don't hold back in return from injuries

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez had a simple message for Eric Thames today as the veteran first baseman prepared to play for the first time since straining a calf muscle 11 days ago. "Don't go gangbusters. Ease your way back into it," the Nationals manager said. "Don't try to go first to third right now." So what happened when Thames stepped up to bat in the bottom of the first inning against Marlins right-hander JosÃ© UreÃ±a? Of course he sent a sinking liner into right-center...

184 Hits

Comments

Tags:

eric thames mark zuckerman miami marlins nationals nationals pastime new york mets spring training victor robles featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Club "renews" Soto's contract for $629,400 (Nats tie Marlins)

March 07, 2020, 8:17am

Nationals

Club "renews" Soto's contract for $629,400 (Nats tie Marlins)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Unable to agree to terms on their own, the Nationals have unilaterally set Juan Soto's 2020 salary at $629,400, a source familiar with the figure confirmed. The mechanism of teams setting the salaries of players who aren't yet eligible for arbitration, known as "renewing," isn't uncommon. Those young players can negotiate their salaries, but in most every case the final figure is based on big league service time and not performance. The process is fairly simple in...