Mark Zuckerman

Contract official, Benoit tries to fit right in with Nats bullpen

February 21, 2018, 9:55am

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - JoaquÃn Benoit has played for good teams and bad teams. He has appeared in 20 postseason games (three of those in the World Series) and he's played out the string in September for clubs that were going nowhere. Now 40, with far fewer days ahead of him than behind him, Benoit's priorities have changed. When looking for a job this winter and spring, he sought only two things: a major league contract and a chance to win. That made the Nationals, who officially...

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Nats hitters excited to jump aboard Long's launch angle train

February 20, 2018, 5:27pm

Nationals

Nats hitters excited to jump aboard Long's launch angle train

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It takes less than three minutes listening to Kevin Long talk about hitting to fully understand this guy is operating on a different level from mere mortals. Want to know what the batting average on all ground balls put into play is? Long knows (.220). Want to know the average distance from the side of the rubber that a right-hander releases his pitch versus the average distance for a lefty? Long knows (2 feet vs. 2 1/2 feet.) Want to know about launch angles and hitting...

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Observations from Tuesday's full-squad workout

February 20, 2018, 12:30pm

Nationals

Observations from Tuesday's full-squad workout

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - So much for those quick, streamlined pitchers and catchers workouts. With position players joining them on the fields today, the Nationals experienced their longest session of the spring, by far. Though technically a voluntary workout - the first official full-squad day is Wednesday - every healthy member of the roster participated this morning (and afternoon). Everyone gathered on the agility field for the daily "Circle of Trust" meeting at 10:45 a.m. Position players...

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Murphy's rehab from knee surgery slow but steady

February 20, 2018, 11:55am

Nationals

Murphy's rehab from knee surgery slow but steady

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As every other position player on the Nationals roster took the field for the first time as a team this morning, Daniel Murphy could only watch. Though the veteran second baseman, still rehabbing from late-October knee surgery, has begun some baseball activities, they are admittedly limited. "I started doing some knee drills," Murphy said. "Played a little bit of catch. And that would be the extent of it right now. So ground balls on my knees and then play a little...

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All but one player in camp, Nats ready for full-squad workouts

February 19, 2018, 6:32pm

Nationals

All but one player in camp, Nats ready for full-squad workouts

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Position players reported to camp Monday, and though we haven't seen the entire squad on the field together quite yet, it does feel like spring training has finally begun in earnest. The vast majority of Nationals position players had already reported early, some by multiple weeks, so there were only a handful left to check in Monday (the official reporting date). Of the 61 players in big league camp - that number will go up to 62 today when reliever JoaquÃn...

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Nationals add veteran Benoit to address bullpen depth issue

February 19, 2018, 11:22am

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - In need of more right-handed bullpen depth to account for Koda Glover's latest shoulder injury, the Nationals have agreed to terms with veteran JoaquÃn Benoit on a one-year, $1 million contract, according to a source familiar with the deal. The signing hasn't been announced yet, but Benoit was at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches today and already had a locker with his nameplate above it inside the Nationals clubhouse, according to another source. Benoit, 40, has a...

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Harper tries to keep focus on winning in 2018, not free agency

February 19, 2018, 9:47am

Nationals

Harper tries to keep focus on winning in 2018, not free agency

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Bryce Harper didn't even wait for the question to be asked. He wanted to make this clear before any reporters assembled for his first media session of the spring could press him on it. "Just want to let you guys know I will not be discussing anything relative to 2019, at all," he said. "I'm focused on this year. I'm focused on winning and playing hard, like every single year. So if you guys have any questions about anything after 2018, you can call Scott and he...

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Glover on shoulder soreness: "I'm not worried. I'll be fine."

February 19, 2018, 5:41am

Nationals

Glover on shoulder soreness: "I'm not worried. I'll be fine."

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Though he's dealing with discomfort similar to the ailment that sidelined him for much of the 2017 season, Koda Glover insists he's not worried about the long-term state of his shoulder. "No," the young reliever said during a brief session this morning with reporters in the Nationals clubhouse. "Do I look worried? I'm not worried. I'll be fine. I'm fine." Glover, who missed the final four months of last season with a rotator cuff injury, reported to camp last...

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Lilliquist trying to fine-tune, not overhaul, Nats pitching staff

February 18, 2018, 12:40pm

Nationals

Lilliquist trying to fine-tune, not overhaul, Nats pitching staff

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Every pitching coach has his own philosophies, his own advice for those who take the mound under his watch. And when a new coach takes over a club, he typically wants to start imparting his wisdom on his pitchers right from the get-go. Derek Lilliquist, though, didn't inherit any old pitching staff. He arrived here earlier this month to a Nationals staff that features the man who won the last two National League Cy Young Awards, another who finished third in voting,...

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Shoulder soreness preventing Glover from throwing in camp

February 18, 2018, 9:23am

Nationals

Shoulder soreness preventing Glover from throwing in camp

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Koda Glover's attempt to make the opening day roster after an injury-plagued 2017 season has already hit a snag. Glover has not thrown since reporting to Nationals camp, informing club officials when he arrived that he had been experiencing shoulder soreness following the bullpen sessions he was throwing on his own at home this winter. The Nationals had Glover undergo an MRI of his shoulder, which was injured much of last season, and found only inflammation. For now,...

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Don't look for quick hooks from Martinez

February 18, 2018, 4:50am

Nationals

Don't look for quick hooks from Martinez

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Since the day he was hired, we've all wondered what kind of manager Davey Martinez would be, especially when it comes to in-game strategy. Having had no prior managerial experience, there's no advance scouting report to consider, only speculation based on his answers to various questions posed his way. We got a few glimpses into Martinez's strategic mindset over the winter, and we're starting to get more in these early days of spring training. Such as his philosophy...

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Ross throwing again, targeting late summer return to Nats

February 17, 2018, 5:41pm

Nationals

Ross throwing again, targeting late summer return to Nats

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - He won't be ready to open the year with the Nationals, but Joe Ross has every intention of being a significant contributor to the pitching staff later this season. "That's in my head, for sure," he said. "My arm will dictate that. But that's how I feel, and I'm looking forward to helping the team in the second half." Ross, who had Tommy John surgery on July 19, still has a long way to go to make it back to the mound at Nationals Park. But the last month has seen...

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Secure in closer's role, Doolittle now trying to add to his arsenal

February 17, 2018, 11:21am

Nationals

Secure in closer's role, Doolittle now trying to add to his arsenal

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Sean Doolittle will be the Nationals closer to open the season. That declaration, made this afternoon by new manager Davey Martinez, did not constitute earth-shattering news. Given the way Doolittle performed late last season, and given the current makeup of the Nats bullpen, that was a foregone conclusion. The more notable development this season for Doolittle would involve not when he pitches but what he pitches. After firmly establishing himself as a top-notch...

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Pitchers ahead of the curve, position players reporting early

February 17, 2018, 8:21am

Nationals

Pitchers ahead of the curve, position players reporting early

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez is serious about keeping his workouts short and efficient. Today's session outside The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the second official pitchers and catchers workout, wrapped up in 90 minutes once again. Players were already back in the clubhouse well before the South Florida sun reached its peak. Don't confuse short workouts with lazy workouts, though. Players went through all the usual spring drills, and those pitchers who threw off the mound did so...

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Nats, Astros strike naming rights deal for spring ballpark

February 17, 2018, 4:58am

Nationals

Nats, Astros strike naming rights deal for spring ballpark

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals' spring training stadium, barely a year old, is already getting a new name. The Nationals and Astros are planning to announce next week a naming rights deal for The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches with FITTEAM, a local "healthy lifestyle company," sources familiar with the decision confirmed. The new name for the stadium: FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The announcement of a reported 12-year deal between FITTEAM and both franchises that share the...

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Kelley healthy again and hoping to return to 2016 form

February 16, 2018, 5:14pm

Nationals

Kelley healthy again and hoping to return to 2016 form

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Ask Shawn Kelley about 2017 and the veteran reliever will talk about how much he enjoyed watching his Nationals teammates play well but how frustrated he was personally to not have contributed much to that success. There were injuries to his neck, back and elbow, and there were some brutal appearances on the mound that led to a 7.27 ERA and an astounding 12 home runs surrendered in only 26 innings. "I'm just glad it's 2018," he said with a smile. Kelley is able to...

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Martinez offers a glimpse into his method on first workout day

February 16, 2018, 11:17am

Nationals

Martinez offers a glimpse into his method on first workout day

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez walked into his first press conference of the spring, sat down in front of a microphone and addressed the room full of reporters. "I have to say, I'm tired," he sighed. Tired? At 12:30 p.m.? On Day One of spring training? "Well, I've been here since 5:30," he said. "I get up every day at 5. Can't slow the brain down. I've got a lot to think about, you know. Pretty good team." Yes, it is. And rarely has any first-time manager ever been handed the...

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Martinez: Cole has "upper hand" for No. 5 starter's job

February 16, 2018, 8:51am

Nationals

Martinez: Cole has "upper hand" for No. 5 starter's job

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals admittedly don't have many jobs up for grabs this spring, a scenario few other clubs can appreciate, but the highest-profile competition this spring is of keen interest to Davey Martinez. With the top four slots in his rotation well established and locked in, Martinez needs only to decide who will serve as his No. 5 starter come April. The candidates, for now: inconsistent right-hander A.J. Cole, top prospect Erick Fedde and veteran journeyman Edwin...

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Montero glad to reunite with Rizzo, Martinez, Scherzer in D.C.

February 16, 2018, 4:58am

Nationals

Montero glad to reunite with Rizzo, Martinez, Scherzer in D.C.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Miguel Montero had plenty of reasons to sign with the Nationals earlier this month. This was an offer to compete for playing time on an expected contender. He played for Davey Martinez the last three seasons in Chicago. He was signed by the Diamondbacks out of Venezuela by Mike Rizzo way back in 2001. He used to catch Max Scherzer in Arizona, too. "And I don't have to try to throw out Trea Turner anymore," Montero said with a laugh. "He's on my team." OK, so maybe...

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Nats "under the radar?" Strasburg thinks so

February 15, 2018, 4:26pm

Nationals

Nats "under the radar?" Strasburg thinks so

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg was asked yesterday how he feels the Nationals stack up to the rest of the National League as spring training camps open across Florida and Arizona. The right-hander's response might catch you by surprise. "I think we're under the radar a little bit," he said. "There's a lot of moves, a lot of changes, lot of new faces (around the majors), but I think there's some question marks. I think you get this feeling that this is like our bubble, this is...