Gonzalez headed to DL for first time in his career (updated after MRI)

Gonzalez headed to DL for first time in his career (updated after MRI)
Remember last night, when Matt Williams said there was nothing physically wrong with left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who sounded as if he was contradicting his manager by saying he just had to pitch through an unspecified issue? Well, chalk one up for Gonzalez, who this morning was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career. The problem: left shoulder inflammation. Since joining the Nats in 2012, Gonzalez's 35 victories are tied for the most in the majors by a southpaw with...

Nats give Roark an early 3-0 lead (Nats win 5-2)

Nats give Roark an early 3-0 lead (Nats win 5-2)
It didn't take long for the Nationals to break through against Mets lefty Jonathon Neise. An RBI single by Jayson Werth, a Wilson Ramos sac fly and a run-scoring ground ball off the bat of Tyler Moore have staked right-hander Tanner Roark to a 3-0 lead after one inning. Right from the start, Neise struggled. He allowed a leadoff single to Denard Span, watched as third baseman David Wright booted Anthony Rendon's grounder and served up a run-scoring single to left to Werth. Both Werth and...

Zimmerman, Harper headed for visits with doctors (plus Ohlendorf, Jordan updates)

Zimmerman, Harper headed for visits with doctors (plus Ohlendorf, Jordan updates)
Two injured Nationals are due for doctor's visits next week to have their progress assessed. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right thumb, is due for an X-ray on Monday, roughly the five-week mark since sustaining the injury. "Once the doctor clears him, he can start all of his strengthening exercises," manager Matt Williams said Friday afternoon. Zimmerman can run and catch throws now, but can't yet put any stress on the joint, which has been...

Dobbs fills Nats' need for veteran left-handed bat off bench

Dobbs fills Nats' need for veteran left-handed bat off bench
The Nationals needed a veteran left-handed hitter off the bench, and Greg Dobbs was out of work and looking for a job. Four days after signing a minor league deal with the Nats, and after a few days of working to regain his timing in extended spring training at Viera, Fla., Dobbs is back in the majors. The Nationals selected his contract from Triple-A Syracuse earlier today and he's in uniform for the opener of a three-game series against the Mets tonight. "It's been a whirlwind," Dobbs...

Nats continue pursuit of new spring home in Palm Beach County

Nats continue pursuit of new spring home in Palm Beach County
The Nationals are continuing their efforts to move their spring training headquarters to Palm Beach County, and they may not be the only team exiting Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla. The Single-A Brevard County Manatees, a Brewers affiliate that plays in the Florida State League are listening to a pitch from Winter Park, Fla., near Orlando, where a new $30 million stadium would be built on a site owned by Rollins College. News of the Manatees' proposed move came on the same day that...

Orioles recall Gausman from Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles recall Gausman from Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Kevin Gausman from Triple-A Norfolk. Gausman, 23, has gone 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA (26.0IP, 6ER) in six starts for the Tides this season. He is scheduled to start this afternoon's game against Detroit.

Patriotic Series and Military Branch Days return for 2014

Patriotic Series and Military Branch Days return for 2014
The Washington Nationals will mark the return of the Patriotic Series Presented by SAIC when the team hosts Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 17. To pay tribute to the men and women who serve in the U.S. armed forces, the Nationals will offer complimentary tickets to military service members (active duty, dependent, reservist or retiree) for SaturdayÂ’s game. Service members may claim up to two complimentary tickets for each military ID and purchase additional tickets at a discounted rate....

Orioles announce return of Father's Day Catch on the Field opportunity for fans

Orioles announce return of Father's Day Catch on the Field opportunity for fans
After the success of last year's sold-out inaugural event, the Orioles today announced that they are bringing back Father's Day Catch on the Field on Sunday, June 15, prior to the game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. Due to the tremendous turnout last season, a third session has been added to accommodate more fans. Beginning this Saturday at 11:00 a.m., fans may purchase one of two ticket packages that include a pair of tickets for the 1:35 p.m. game and a 25-minute pre-game session of catch on...

Nationals, MedStar Health to celebrate newborn baseball fans

Nationals, MedStar Health to celebrate newborn baseball fans
The Washington Nationals are looking to grow their fan base this Mother's Day, May 11. In partnership with MedStar Health, the Nationals will provide each family of babies born on Mother's Day in MedStar Health Hospitals serving the Washington, D.C., region a baseball-themed gift bag--containing a Nationals-branded onesie and bucket hat for the newborn baby, as well as baseballs caps for new moms and dads. MedStar is the official medical partner of the Washington Nationals, and Mother's...

After five shutout innings, Treinen's error paves way for Dodgers

After five shutout innings, Treinen's error paves way for Dodgers
Stop me if you've heard this one before: An error opened the floodgates to another disappointing Nationals loss. The Nats entered Tuesday night's game with 27 errors, third-most in the National League, and another pair of fielding miscues resulted in four unearned runs in an 8-3 loss to the Dodgers. Facing reigning Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who was making his return following a stint on the disabled list with back problems, was bad enough, but the Nats again gave away runs that...

For McLouth, hand gash the most troublesome remnant of collision with wall

For McLouth, hand gash the most troublesome remnant of collision with wall
Nate McLouth peeled back the white bandage covering the fleshy section of his right hand between his thumb and index finger to reveal a dime-sized divot, the result of his eighth-inning sliding catch Monday night and his collision with the wall in foul territory in left field. The Nationals left fielder left the game after tumbling into the wall to make the catch of Dee Gordon's foul slice, and the chunk taken out of his hand was the most significant problem he experienced after making a catch...

Ramos says he's ready to return, but Williams doesn't sound convinced

Ramos says he's ready to return, but Williams doesn't sound convinced
Catcher Wilson Ramos reappeared in the Nationals clubhouse Tuesday afternoon, fresh off his minor league rehabilitation assignment and bent on showing manager Matt Williams that he was ready to be activated from the 15-day disabled list after surgery to remove a broken hamate bone from his left hand. Ramos thinks he'll be ready to go tomorrow, when the Nats close out their three-home game homestand against the Dodgers. "I think so," he said. "I think that's the plan for now. I don't need...

Hairston in lineup for Treinen's first Nationals start

Hairston in lineup for Treinen's first Nationals start
Scott Hairston is in the Nationals lineup tonight, making his first start since coming off the 15-day disabled list yesterday after missing time with a strained left oblique. He will bat fifth and play left field. Right-hander Blake Treinen will make his first start for the Nationals tonight, opposing Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. Here's the Nationals lineup: CF Denard Span3B Anthony RendonRF Jayson Werth1B Adam LaRocheLF Scott HairstonSS...

Nationals recognize honorary bat girl contest winner for "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer"

Nationals recognize honorary bat girl contest winner for "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer"
Major League Baseball this week announced the 31 winners of the 2014 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, which recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate a commitment to eradicating the disease. Annie Arensdorf of Ashburn, Va., has been named the winner for the Washington Nationals, and she will be recognized on the field before the team plays the New York Mets on Friday, May 16. In addition to participating in the lineup delivery as part of the pregame ceremony,...

2014 honorary bat girl contest winner to be recognized at Camden Yards for "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer"

2014 honorary bat girl contest winner to be recognized at Camden Yards for "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer"
Major League Baseball today announced the 31 winners of the 2014 Honorary Bat Girl Contest that recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate a commitment to eradicating the disease. The winner of the Honorary Bat Girl Contest for the Orioles is Debra Nelson, who will be recognized in a pre-game ceremony at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday, May 11. Nelson will be honored during an on-field ceremony, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and will...

Zimmerman to host fifth annual A Night at the Park on June 16

Zimmerman to host fifth annual A Night at the Park on June 16
Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will once again host “A Night at the Park,” presented by MASN Sports at Nationals Park on Monday, June 16. The fifth annual fundraising event for the ziMS Foundation will feature performances by country music stars Billy Currington and Jerrod Niemann. The evening includes an expanded concert experience, powered by Live Nation, along with silent and live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Nationals Park will again be...

Strasburg to pitch Wednesday, Fister on Friday

Strasburg to pitch Wednesday, Fister on Friday
The Nationals have now set two-thirds of their starting rotation for the three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that begins Monday at Nats Park. Washington right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will battle 5-0 Dodgers righty Zack Greinke on Monday. And following Sunday's loss in Philadelphia, Nats manager Matt Williams announced that right-hander Stephen Strasburg would start for the home team on Wednesday against ex-Nat Dan Haren. That leaves only Tuesday's starter for the Nationals...

Missed opportunities dog Nats in 1-0 loss to Phillies

Missed opportunities dog Nats in 1-0 loss to Phillies
You won't find the Nationals lamenting breaks that didn't go their way in a 1-0 loss to the Phillies on Sunday. To a man, they admitted they ran into a tough pitcher in Phillies righty Roberto Hernandez., who outdueled Washington's Gio Gonzalez on an afternoon when windy conditions made things tough for both teams. They Nats ran themselves out of a possible big inning in the first and didn't come through with the tying run on third in the eighth. It all added up to a loss capping a 3-2 road...

Gonzalez strong, but Nats drop finale 1-0

Gonzalez strong, but Nats drop finale 1-0
Phillies right-hander Roberto Hernandez is pitching more like Fausto Carmona circa 2010 than the guy who toted a 5.74 ERA into today's game against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Gio Gonzalez is doing his usual routine of holding the opposition in check, but trails 1-0 after three innings. The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the first when Jimmy Rollins tripled with one out and scored on Chase Utley's single to center.r. The Nats had runners on first and second with one down in the third,...

Moore's homer cuts Phils' lead to 3-1 (Nats rally for 5-3 victory)

Moore's homer cuts Phils' lead to 3-1 (Nats rally for 5-3 victory)
The Phillies took a quick 3-0 lead against Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals, with ex-Nat Marlon Byrd crushing a three-run homer in the first inning. All three runs were unearned by virtue of an error charged to right fielder Jayson Werth, who couldn't come up with a foul pop off Byrd's bat in the tricky corner at Citizens Bank Park for the third out, prolonging the at-bat. It was a tough call to make on a tough play, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it changed at some point. Tyler...