nationals

Game 95 lineups: Nats at Diamondbacks

July 21, 2017, 2:06pm

PHOENIX - Hello from Chase Field, where the roof is closed and the air conditioning is cranked up (thank God). It's a scorcher here in the Valley of the Sun, with temperatures actually below normal (101 degrees, as we speak) but the humidity unusually high. Welcome to monsoon season. No, seriously, you can look it up. Anyway, the Nationals wrap up their long and winding road trip with a weekend series against a very good Diamondbacks club that currently holds the top wild card spot in the...

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David Huzzard: Trade for relief help puts Nats in strong position

July 21, 2017, 5:40am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Trade for relief help puts Nats in strong position

The recent acquisition of Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson helps the Nationals bullpen. It added two much-needed proven, veteran arms to a 'pen that was lacking everything. Madson brings his 2.01 ERA and 2.39 FIP, and Doolittle his 3.63 ERA and 2.51 FIP. While these two are instantly the best relievers in the Nationals bullpen, all reports indicate the Nationals are far from finished in looking to add talent to a bullpen that has severely lacked it for most of the season. If the Nationals are...

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In long-awaited start vs. original club, Meyer one-hits Nationals

July 19, 2017, 9:53pm

Nationals

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Alex Meyer's name doesn't garner much reaction from most current members of the Nationals or most members of a fan base that barely remembers the club using a first-round pick on the big right-hander way back in 2011. The handful of players who spent time with Meyer in the low minor leagues for one season, though, have fond memories of him. And the 6-foot-9 hurler, whose career hasn't panned out quite as he once hoped, still has kind words to say about the franchise that...

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Injuries continue to force Baker to cobble together top of lineup

July 19, 2017, 11:43pm

Nationals

Injuries continue to force Baker to cobble together top of lineup

ANAHEIM, Calif. - It's part of any manager's job, trying to compensate for injuries, but the challenge for Dusty Baker over the last several weeks has been amplified. Baker already lost leadoff man Adam Eaton to a torn ACL at the end of April. Then he lost No. 2 hitter Jayson Werth to a significant bone bruise and slight fracture of his left foot in early June. Then he lost another top-of-the-order bat, Trea Turner, to a fractured wrist at the end of June. In the wake of all that, Baker has...

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Ross has Tommy John surgery, plus other injury updates

July 19, 2017, 5:28pm

Nationals

Ross has Tommy John surgery, plus other injury updates

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Joe Ross had Tommy John surgery this morning, a procedure that the Nationals said went smoothly but nonetheless will sideline the right-hander until at least the middle of the 2018 season. Ross had the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow replaced in Dallas by orthopedist Keith Meister, who reported it "went well," according to manager Dusty Baker. The typical timeline for pitchers returning from the surgery is 12 to 18 months, giving Ross a chance to contribute for...

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Meyer cruising against former organization (Nats lose 7-0)

July 19, 2017, 7:17pm

Nationals

Meyer cruising against former organization (Nats lose 7-0)

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Alex Meyer's career hasn't panned out as originally hoped, but the Nationals drafted the big right-hander in the first round back in 2011 for a reason. And Meyer is showing exactly why tonight - against his former club. Meyer, now pitching for the Angels, has retired the first 12 batters he's faced, baffling one of the most potent lineups in baseball through four perfect innings so far. The Nationals have hit a few balls hard, and Daniel Murphy was robbed of a potential...

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Harper turns it up a notch with near-cycle vs. Trout's Angels

July 19, 2017, 12:42am

Nationals

Harper turns it up a notch with near-cycle vs. Trout's Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Maybe it was the presence of Mike Trout in the opposing dugout. Maybe it was the knowledge he was getting the next day off. Maybe it was just another ballgame and the opportunity to show off his skills like he does so many other nights. Whatever the case, it was hard to watch Tuesday night's game at Angel Stadium and not believe Bryce Harper was particularly motivated to do something special. And Harper indeed did something special during the Nationals' 4-3 victory. He went...

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Game 94 lineups: Nats at Angels

July 19, 2017, 2:24pm

Nationals

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Did you know the Nationals haven't lost a baseball game in 11 days? OK, so that's a bit misleading when you consider four of those days included the All-Star break. Nevertheless, the Nats will carry a six-game winning streak into tonight's contest against the Angels, seeking to sweep this abbreviated, two-game interleague series. They'll attempt to do so without Bryce Harper in the lineup. As both the right fielder and Dusty Baker explained last night, they collectively...

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Former Senators broadcaster Bob Wolff passes at 96

July 17, 2017, 5:49am

Nationals

Former Senators broadcaster Bob Wolff passes at 96

Remembrance today for the passing of legendary sports broadcaster Bob Wolff, who died Saturday night at 96, his indelible mark left on D.C. baseball broadcasting forever. Wolff was the first Washington Senators radio and television play-by-play announcer beginning in 1947 all the way to 1961 when the club moved to Minnesota. This New York Times obituary talks about the day he went down to interview a random fan in the stands at Griffith Stadium that turned out to be none other than vice...

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Trio of newcomers pitch Nationals to tense win over Angels

July 18, 2017, 10:30pm

Nationals

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Dusty Baker handed the ball to three pitchers during tonight's 4-3 victory over the Angels. Not one was a member of the active roster until 2:30 p.m., each summoned to join this staff at this particular moment in time out of necessity. Edwin Jackson was here because Joe Ross blew out his elbow and suddenly this team with All-Stars anchoring its rotation needed a fifth starter. The 33-year-old journeyman promptly threw seven innings of two-run, three-hit ball to earn his first...

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District 34 podcast: Nats make blockbuster trade to bolster bullpen

July 19, 2017, 9:54am

Nationals

District 34 podcast: Nats make blockbuster trade to bolster bullpen

It was always a matter of when not if the Nationals would make a trade to bolster their bullpen, and it finally happened over the weekend. Byron Kerr and I are back to break down the acquisition of right-hander Ryan Madson and left-hander Sean Doolittle from the A's and the ripple effect on the Nats bullpen on a new episode of the District 34 podcast. Madson and Doolittle both made their Nationals debuts in a 4-3 win over the Angels Tuesday night, with the righty putting together a shutdown...

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Luke Erickson: Is anyone really untouchable in a trade?

July 18, 2017, 10:26am

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Is anyone really untouchable in a trade?

When this guest blog was first written, it was about how the injury to Joe Ross would force a trade and that the Nationals may have to consider trading one or more of their so-called untouchable players, outfielder Victor Robles and Erick Fedde. Instead, Washington and Oakland executed their 432nd 11th trade this decade with right-hander Blake Treinen, infielder Sheldon Neuse and left-hander Jesus Luzardo going to the Bay Area and left-hander Sean Doolittle and right-hander Ryan Madson coming...

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Fracture and bone bruise keeping Werth out (Nats win 4-3)

July 18, 2017, 6:31pm

Nationals

Fracture and bone bruise keeping Werth out (Nats win 4-3)

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Jayson Werth is back with the Nationals, and that part he likes. But he's not back playing with the Nationals, and likely won't be for some time with his left foot still ailing, and that part he does not like. "It's doing better," Werth said this afternoon. "It's just frustrating because this injury, the bone that's injured is crucial for running." The bone that's injured is the first metatarsal, the large bone at the base of his big toe. And in addition to the bone...

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No designated closer (yet) between Madson and Doolittle

July 18, 2017, 5:29pm

Nationals

No designated closer (yet) between Madson and Doolittle

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle are both here, both wearing Nationals uniforms - Madson wearing No. 44, Doolittle wearing No. 62 - and both insist they're ready and available for whatever role Dusty Baker envisions for the newly acquired relievers. What roles exactly will those be? Well, the answer for now is a simple-yet-unsatisfying one: Baker doesn't know. Madson and Doolittle certainly will be pitching late innings for the Nationals, particularly when they hold a lead....

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Goodwin on his comfort zone, Baker on Difo's progress

July 17, 2017, 1:43pm

Nationals

Goodwin on his comfort zone, Baker on Difo's progress

CINCINNATI - If you've looked at Brian Goodwin in the past couple of weeks and thought he looked a lot more comfortable as the Nationals' leadoff hitter and center fielder, you're probably right. Pressed into service atop the lineup and in his natural position when Michael A. Taylor went down with a right oblique strain that has been slow to heal, the 26-year-old Goodwin has found a comfort zone. Goodwin originally picked up more playing time when left fielder Jayson Werth fouled a ball off...

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Opposite dugout: Angels hope Trout's return is catalyst in wild card race

July 17, 2017, 10:33am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Angels hope Trout's return is catalyst in wild card race

Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 46-49 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.337/.457/.714 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.291 with 39 RBIs), DH Albert Pujols (14 HR, 56 RBIs), RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82 ERA), RHP Bud Norris (2.35 ERA, 14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 18: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Jesse Chavez, 10:07 p.m., MASN2 July 19: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco, 10:07 p.m.,...

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Game 93 lineups: Nats at Angels

July 18, 2017, 2:02pm

Nationals

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Nationals have made only two previous trips to Angel Stadium in their history, and boy were they eventful. In 2005, Frank Robinson (with some help from Jose Guillen) fought Mike Scioscia. In 2011, Davey Johnson returned to a big league dugout for the first time in a decade. Now, in 2017, Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson officially join the Nats, and Edwin Jackson officially rejoins the Nats after five years away. The club announced its flurry of roster moves this afternoon....

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Eventful night in Anaheim ahead for ever-changing Nationals

July 18, 2017, 10:00am

Nationals

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Hello from Orange County, home of Disneyland, reality TV stars and - for a quick two nights - the ever-changing Washington Nationals. Fresh off a four-game sweep in Cincinnati, the Nats have made their way west for the second and third legs of a strange road trip to open the season's second half. They'll play two against the Angels, then fly to Phoenix for three with the Diamondbacks before finally heading home for the first time in a long time. There are going to be no...

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Nationals select right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson

July 18, 2017, 1:34pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and designated right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner for assignment. Additionally, the Nationals activated left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle and right-handed pitcher Ryan Madson, acquired Sunday from the Oakland Athletics. Right-handers Austin Adams and Trevor Gott were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made...

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Thoughts on the Nationals' blockbuster bullpen trade

July 16, 2017, 9:02pm

Nationals

We knew it was coming, there wasn't any question about that. We only didn't know when it was coming, whether the Nationals would be able to strike a big deal to address their bullpen early in the summer or whether they would have to wait until the final flurry at the July 31 trade deadline to fix the most glaring hole on their roster. So when it did happen Sunday, it was both surprising and completely predictable, all at the same time. Of course Mike Rizzo and Billy Beane were going to...