Pete Kerzel

Baker hints at opening day start for Scherzer, sets plans for Zimmerman

March 13, 2016, 7:52am

VIERA, Fla. - New Nationals manager Dusty Baker has been coy about naming his opening day starting pitcher, even though everyone expects right-hander Max Scherzer to take the ball on April 4 at Turner Field in Atlanta. On the first day of spring training, when asked if he was ready to name his opening day starter, Baker declined. But on Sunday, he gave a more firm indication that Scherzer may draw the assignment for a second straight year after signing a seven-year, $210 million contract. "He...

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Zimmerman serving as DH in first Grapefruit League game

March 13, 2016, 4:26am

Nationals

Zimmerman serving as DH in first Grapefruit League game

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman will make his first start of the Grapefruit League campaign this afternoon, serving as the designated hitter for the Nationals against the Cardinals in a 1:05 p.m. game that will be broadcast on MASN. Zimmerman has spent the bulk of spring training managing a case of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and the Nationals have taken a cautious approach while monitoring and treating the nagging injury. Zimmerman said he could still get the 45-50 at-bats he needed to...

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Hearing from Tanner Roark and Dusty Baker

March 12, 2016, 4:51pm

Nationals

Hearing from Tanner Roark and Dusty Baker

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Tanner Roark will be the first one to tell you he didn't have his best stuff tonight. He got behind hitters too frequently, but the Braves didn't force him to pay for that tentativeness in an 11-1 Nationals victory. "A little effectively wild, I guess I would say," said the right-hander, who surrendered a run on three hits and struck out three without issuing a walk. "But I mean I felt good, arm felt loose, body felt loose. Overall, I pitched behind in the count a...

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Taylor continues sizzling offensive spring with three-hit night (Nats win 11-1)

March 12, 2016, 3:38pm

Nationals

Taylor continues sizzling offensive spring with three-hit night (Nats win 11-1)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 11, Braves 1 Recap: Tanner Roark went four innings, becoming the first Nats pitcher to work that deep into a game this spring. He allowed a run on three hits with no walks and three strikeouts. The offense came alive behind Michael A. Taylor and Clint Robinson. Taylor had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Robinson slammed a long two-run homer to right. Stephen Drew drove in three runs. Tyler Moore also homered. Need to know: While some managers...

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At Nationals camp, youth is served on a daily basis

March 12, 2016, 2:03pm

Nationals

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The young Nationals players huddled together at the far end of the fence in front of the visiting dugout at Champion Stadium, taking in the sight of the Braves taking batting practice in front of them. Erick Fedde, a right-hander taken with the 18th overall pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, is the most recognizable, only because there's a lot of buzz about him in the organization. But you've got to know the furthest reaches of the Nationals farm system to know...

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Dusty Baker on bench construction

March 12, 2016, 12:00pm

Nationals

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - As the Nationals get deeper into spring training, more talk turns toward how new manager Dusty Baker will construct his bench. How will he balance his reserves between left- and right-handed hitters? How much does he value experience over versatility? Does speed count more than the ability to hit cold off the pine? So what about it, Dusty? What factors will the skipper consider as he formulates what is expected to be a five-man bench? Figuring that backup catcher Jose...

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Tanner Roark gets the call against Braves (with lineups)

March 11, 2016, 5:50pm

Nationals

Tanner Roark gets the call against Braves (with lineups)

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Tanner Roark will start this evening against the Braves, and is scheduled to go four innings. If he can hit that benchmark, Roark will be the first Nationals pitcher to do so this spring. In five innings spread across two previous Grapefruit League appearances, including one start, Roark has allowed five hits and no runs with two walks and six strikeouts. He's hopeful of returning to the Nationals rotation after spending last season working out of the bullpen and...

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Feeling no ill effects, Papelbon says he was "just a tick off"

March 11, 2016, 12:58pm

Nationals

Feeling no ill effects, Papelbon says he was "just a tick off"

VIERA, Fla. - Jonathan Papelbon's line in Friday's 9-5 victory over the Mets may not look pretty, but the Nationals closer says he's not worried. Papelbon said he was feeling no ill effects after a bug making its way through the clubhouse forced him to miss his scheduled outing Thursday. It wasn't a matter of having not pitched for four days. "I just was a tick off," Papelbon said. Papelbon, making his second ninth-inning appearance of the spring, couldn't complete the frame. Manager...

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For Stephen Strasburg, little things can mean a lot (Nats win 9-5)

March 11, 2016, 10:16am

Nationals

For Stephen Strasburg, little things can mean a lot (Nats win 9-5)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 9, Mets 5 Recap: Pinch-hitters Brian Goodwin and Chris Heisey came up big in a three-run third inning that erased a 1-0 Mets lead. Goodwin drove in a run with an RBI single and Heisey's bases-loaded single plated a pair. Stephen Strasburg allowed a run on three hits over three innings. Reliever Michael Brady was struck in the left knee by a line drive off the bat of T.J. Rivera leading off the sixth, and exited the game. Tony Campana added a two-run single...

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den Dekker hoping to prevail in crowded backup outfield derby

March 11, 2016, 7:32am

Nationals

den Dekker hoping to prevail in crowded backup outfield derby

VIERA, Fla. - After riding the shuttle between Triple-A Syracuse and the Nationals last season, outfielder Matt den Dekker finally hit his stride in September, slashing .298/.353/.596 in his final 26 games. If he was looking for a springboard into 2016, the late-season offensive surge provided it. "I think the last couple of years, I've always finished strong," he said. "That's something I'm proud of and I just want to carry that over to the start of this year and have a strong start. The...

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Baker on Friday's cuts and Papelbon's illness

March 11, 2016, 6:08am

Nationals

Baker on Friday's cuts and Papelbon's illness

VIERA, Fla. - A.J. Cole was among the four right-handers cut from Nationals camp Friday, the second straight day the team has reduced its spring roster. All were packing their bags and exiting the clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium for the adjacent minor league complex before morning stretch began Cole and Abel De Los Santos were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, while Austin Voth and Wander Suero were reassigned to minor league camp. Nats manager Dusty Baker was particularly impressed with how...

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Wilson Ramos set for first Grapefruit League appearance (with lineups)

March 10, 2016, 5:41pm

Nationals

Wilson Ramos set for first Grapefruit League appearance (with lineups)

VIERA, Fla. - Catcher Wilson Ramos is scheduled to make his first Grapefruit League appearance today against the Mets, a week and a day after flying back to Washington, D.C., to undergo LASIK surgery on his eyes. Ramos will bat eighth and catch right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who makes his second start of the spring. Ramos returned to camp Monday and said he expected to play Wednesday. The delay is not unusual, given that the Nationals often take a conservative approach when dealing with most...

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Hearing from Dusty Baker after Nats' 4-3 loss

March 10, 2016, 3:48pm

Nationals

Hearing from Dusty Baker after Nats' 4-3 loss

VIERA, Fla. - In what turned out to be a 4-3 Nationals loss to the Astros on Thursday night, what looked like a stellar play by promising shortstop prospect Trea Turner loomed large - and for all the wrong reasons. With the Astros up 2-0 on Marwin Gonzalez's two-run homer off Trevor Gott in the fourth, Nolan Fontana led off with an infield single off Aaron Laffey and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jake Marisnick then grounded a ball into the hole at short, where Turner backed a nice backhand...

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Bronson Arroyo turns in a strong outing (Nats lose 4-3)

March 10, 2016, 2:12pm

Nationals

Bronson Arroyo turns in a strong outing (Nats lose 4-3)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Astros 4, Nationals 3 Recap: Bronson Arroyo threw three hitless innings in his first start of the spring, retiring the Astros 1-2-3 in each frame. Trevor Gott relieved him and coughed up Marwin Gonzalez's two-run homer in the fourth. Ben Revere had two more hits, upping his spring average to .583. Sac flies by Matt den Dekker in the sixth and Trea Turner in the seventh, followed by Jhonatan Solano's RBI single, rallied Washington from a 4-0 hole. Need to know: When...

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Zimmerman on board with Baker's timetable for first spring appearance

March 10, 2016, 10:55am

Nationals

Zimmerman on board with Baker's timetable for first spring appearance

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman, who has yet to play in a spring training game while the Nationals medical staff monitors and treats the plantar fasciitis in his left foot, says manager Dusty Baker's timetable that the first baseman could make his first Grapefruit League appearance within another 10 days is on target. "We're just being slow with it," Zimmerman said Thursday. "My foot feels fine. There's no reason to start playing games this early in March when we plan on playing games in...

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Difo, Grace, Jordan among Nats' first camp cuts

March 10, 2016, 10:07am

Nationals

Difo, Grace, Jordan among Nats' first camp cuts

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals made their first cuts of spring camp, with infielder Wilmer Difo, left-hander Matt Grace and right-hander Taylor Jordan optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Additionally, right-handers Taylor Hill and Paolo Espino and catchers Raudy Read and Brian Jerolomon have been reassigned to minor league camp. "A couple guys were surprised because they were such early cuts, but some of the guys need some work," manager Dusty Baker said. Difo, one of the organization's most...

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Bronson Arroyo slated to go three innings vs. Astros (with lineup)

March 10, 2016, 5:07am

Nationals

Bronson Arroyo slated to go three innings vs. Astros (with lineup)

VIERA, Fla. - Veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo, who is trying to force his way into the Nationals rotation as a non-roster invitee to spring training, is scheduled to go three innings in tonight's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. Jonathan Papelbon will work the ninth inning. Manager Dusty Baker is giving his regulars another night of game action for this 5 p.m. contest, which will be available on MASN. Ben Revere shifts to left field, with Michael A. Taylor in center. Jayson Werth...

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At career crossroads, Moore needs to come through in a pinch

March 09, 2016, 5:55pm

Nationals

At career crossroads, Moore needs to come through in a pinch

VIERA, Fla. - There are certain givens each spring training. A major accident will clog up Interstate 95 when you're trying to pick up the north/south thoroughfare for a road game. A new chain restaurant will open at The Avenue at Viera. The Internet at Space Coast Stadium will fade in and out, usually at the most inopportune time. And Tyler Moore will face uphill odds to make the Nationals' 25-man roster out of camp. This time around, however, Moore has an even more daunting task. He's out...

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Ben Revere tweaks his swing with a better start in mind

March 09, 2016, 12:23pm

Nationals

Ben Revere tweaks his swing with a better start in mind

LAKELAND, Fla. - Center fielder Ben Revere is doing just what the Nationals want him to do. Or is he? Two hits in three at-bats in an 11-5 loss to the Tigers on Wednesday lifted his Grapefruit League average to .500. That means he's getting on base. But two of his five hits so far have been for extra bases, including a third-inning double into the right field corner off Justin Verlander. And it's not just dumb early-spring luck that has Revere powering up. He spent the offseason studying...

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Gio Gonzalez learns quickly that his mechanics were rushed (Nats lose 11-5)

March 09, 2016, 10:35am

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez learns quickly that his mechanics were rushed (Nats lose 11-5)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Tigers 11, Nationals 5 Recap: Lefty Gio Gonzalez's second spring start was a mixed bag, two poor innings sandwiched around a 1-2-3 frame. He allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings. Relievers Nick Masset and Sammy Solis were also treated rudely and were charged with three runs each. The Tigers touched Nats pitchers for five home runs. Tyler Moore hit a pinch-hit home run, which is notable because he has to perform better off the...