nationals

Harper hurts the Phillies again (Nats fall 4-3, allow three in ninth)

May 14, 2017, 10:11am

The Nationals' Bryce Harper continues to make baseball life difficult for the Phillies. In the bottom of the first, Harper hit a scorching line drive over the right-center field wall to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. The homer was his 12th of the season and came on a 2-1 pitch. He has now hit 20 homers off the Phillies, second most to the 21 he has hit off the Marlins. Anthony Rendon hit his first triple of the season in the next at-bat, but the Nats were unable to bring him home. Left-hander...

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Nationals agree to terms with Bryce Harper for 2018

May 13, 2017, 11:19am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with right fielder Bryce Harper for the 2018 season. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The unanimous 2015 National League Most Valuable Player, Harper opens play on Saturday leading Major League hitters this season in on-base percentage (.496), runs (37), and intentional walks (6), while ranking among Major League leaders in walks (T3rd, 28), on-base plus slugging percentage (2nd,...

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Carter Kieboom on DL with hamstring injury, no time frame for return

May 14, 2017, 9:51am

Nationals

Carter Kieboom on DL with hamstring injury, no time frame for return

Low Single-A Hagerstown Suns shortstop Carter Kieboom has been placed on the disabled list with a right hamstring injury suffered on May 12. A club source told me they are treating all symptoms at this point with Kieboom and it is too early to determine when he will return to play. The 19-year-old Nationals first-round selection in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft was recently ranked No. 98 in the top 100 of Baseball America's latest list of prospects. Kieboom was off to a good start for the...

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Game 36 lineups: Phillies at Nats Game 1 (Werth update)

May 14, 2017, 4:19am

Nationals

Game 36 lineups: Phillies at Nats Game 1 (Werth update)

Still basking in the glow of another Bryce Harper walk-off gem against Philadelphia, the Nationals and Phillies embark on a day-night doubleheader on Mother's Day in the nation's capital. The two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth Saturday night was Harper's second walk-off this season against the Phillies and fifth of his career. Game 1 features left-hander Gio Gonzalez against right-hander Jeremey Hellickson. Manager Dusty Baker has elected to rest left fielder Jayson Werth, who has dealt...

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Bolstered by Glover and Kelley, bullpen puts up zeros in victory

May 13, 2017, 8:31pm

Nationals

Bolstered by Glover and Kelley, bullpen puts up zeros in victory

Lost among the excitement of Bryce Harper's walk-off homer last night was the fact it would not have been possible if not for some stellar work by the Nationals bullpen, which turned in its best collective effort in weeks. After Tanner Roark was pulled with two outs in the fifth and his pitch count at 110, a quintet of Nationals relievers combined to toss 4 1/3 scoreless innings, keeping the game tied 4-4 to set the stage for Harper's game-winning blast in the bottom of the ninth. It's...

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After Harper's latest: "Nobody can say he ain't worth the money"

May 13, 2017, 8:03pm

Nationals

After Harper's latest: "Nobody can say he ain't worth the money"

In explaining how and why the Nationals decided to agree to terms now with Bryce Harper on a 2018 contract, some seven months before that sort of thing would normally be done, Mike Rizzo offered up a fairly simple rationale. "He's a unique player," the general manager said, "with a unique talent set that is our own." There's only one Bryce Harper, and so why wouldn't the Nationals be willing to secure him now for 2018 for $21.625 million? Especially when he keeps delivering iconic...

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Harper walks off Phillies again, leads Nats to 6-4 victory

May 13, 2017, 6:43pm

Nationals

Harper walks off Phillies again, leads Nats to 6-4 victory

Bryce Harper walked off the Phillies again. Harper blasted a pitch from Edubray Ramos over the center field wall with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Nationals a 6-4 victory to complete another impressive comeback. Harper's 11th homer of the season was the fifth walk-off blast of his career, his second this season. Both of those have come against the Phillies, his latest blast bringing the Nats back from an early 4-0 deficit. Tied heading into the bottom of the ninth, the...

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Harper and Rizzo on the deal for 2018, and what comes next

May 13, 2017, 1:58pm

Nationals

Harper and Rizzo on the deal for 2018, and what comes next

The Nationals didn't have to offer Bryce Harper a 2018 contract right now. And Harper didn't have to accept the Nationals' 2018 offer right now. So why did the two sides believe now was the time to take care of negotiations that would've been taken care of this winter and agree to a $21.625 million salary for next year? "Why now is just because it's a good time to have a comfortable player throughout the rest of the season," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "We don't have to worry...

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Phillies making Roark work once again (Nats win 6-4)

May 13, 2017, 4:26pm

Nationals

Phillies making Roark work once again (Nats win 6-4)

The Phillies made Tanner Roark work five days ago at Citizens Bank Park but couldn't make much of a dent into the right-hander. Tonight, they're making Roark work once again, and this time they're taking advantage of it. Roark surrendered a pair of two-out RBI singles in the top of the fourth - one to Michael Saunders, one to Cameron Rupp - that plated three runs and leaves the Nationals trailing 3-0 with their starter's pitch count very high early in this game. Roark has needed 86 pitches...

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Glover and Kelley must monitor health as they get back to work

May 13, 2017, 2:52am

Nationals

Glover and Kelley must monitor health as they get back to work

More on the return of Koda Glover and Shawn Kelley from the disabled list. Both relievers were reinstated Friday, with Matt Grace and A.J. Cole sent back to Triple-A Syracuse. The left hip impingement is certainly worrisome for Glover because it was a pre-existing condition that he had to work through at the end of last season. Glover recalls how the injury first popped up last season and how it affected his effectiveness. "It's one of them things where kind of like last year, I was pitching...

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Opposite dugout: Phillies simultaneously rebuilding and imploding

May 11, 2017, 8:25am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies simultaneously rebuilding and imploding

Manager: Pete Mackanin (3rd season) Record: 13-19 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: LF Aaron Altherr (.351 with 7 HR), 2B CÃ©sar HernÃ¡ndez (.324 with 5 SB), 3B Maikel Franco (5 HR, 25 RBIs), RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 3.49 ERA), RHP HÃ©ctor Neris (3 saves)Season series vs. Nationals: 4-5 Pitching probables: May 12: RHP Nick Pivetta vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 13: RHP Vince Velasquez vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 14: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 1:35...

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Game 35 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

May 13, 2017, 12:51pm

Nationals

This turned into a busier Saturday than initially expected, what with the surprise announcement that the Nationals and Bryce Harper have agreed to terms on a contract for 2018, buying out his final year of arbitration for $21.625 million. That agreement, general manager Mike Rizzo said, should give Harper some comfort and peace of mind as he takes the field every day for the rest of this season. That begins tonight when Harper and the Nationals host the Phillies in a series opener that was...

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Nats, Harper agree to $21.625 million salary for 2018 season

May 13, 2017, 10:54am

Nationals

Nats, Harper agree to $21.625 million salary for 2018 season

The Nationals and Bryce Harper today agreed to terms on a contract for next year, a surprisingly early move that doesn't change the fact Harper can still become a free agent after the 2018 season, but does suggest the two sides are maintaining a productive relationship as they head toward that critical moment. In essence, the Nationals and Harper are avoiding the arbitration process they would have gone through next winter, agreeing on a 2018 salary now, even though standard procedure is to...

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Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover reinstated from disabled list

May 12, 2017, 1:02pm

Nationals

Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover reinstated from disabled list

The Nationals announced that right-handed relievers Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover have been reinstated from the 10-day disabled list. To make room for the two relievers, the club optioned left-hander Matt Grace and right-hander A.J. Cole to Triple-A Syracuse. Kelley was out with lower back strain since May 2. Glover was on the shelf with a left hip impingement since April 26. Kelley was happy to finally be done with the disabled list. "Good, good. It was a long 12 or 13 days, whatever it was...

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Series finale postponed, makeup scheduled for June 8

May 11, 2017, 3:19pm

Nationals Orioles

Series finale postponed, makeup scheduled for June 8

The Nationals' series finale against the Orioles has been postponed after a day and evening filled with rain - and not enough reason to believe it would end early enough to get the game in at a reasonable hour. The game will be made up June 8 at 7:05 p.m., one of only two common off-days the clubs had the rest of the season. One of those off-days is Monday, though a makeup that day would have required the Orioles to fly back to Washington in the middle of a road trip to Kansas City and...

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Game 35 lineups: Phillies at Nats

May 12, 2017, 7:36am

Nationals Orioles

Right-hander Tanner Roark seeks his fourth win in the season as he faces off against the Phillies Friday night. He will be opposed by former Nationals fourth round selection right-hander Nick Pivetta (0-2, 5.40 ERA). Thursday's game against the Orioles was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up June 8. The weather forecast tonight appears to show a good chance of precipitation at scheduled game time. Stay tuned to my Twitter handle (@masnkerr) for updates. Left fielder...

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Nationals reinstate right-handers Koda Glover and Shawn Kelley

May 12, 2017, 11:58am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Koda Glover, reinstated right-handed pitcher Shawn Kelley, and optioned right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole and left-handed pitcher Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Glover, 24, returns to the Nationals' active roster after missing 14 games with a left hip impingement. The right-hander made one rehab appearance,...

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David Huzzard: Mike Rizzo's mistake with the bullpen

May 12, 2017, 6:28am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Mike Rizzo's mistake with the bullpen

The Nationals bullpen for the next couple months will be the main focus of the club because it is the glaring weakness of an otherwise near flawless team. The rest of the Nationals roster is a close-to-perfect construction of what a baseball team should be. I now sympathize with Mike Rizzo because I understand the mistake he made in the construction of the Nats bullpen. It wasn't that the Nats were unwilling to spend. They tried very hard to give away their money this offseason, but relievers...

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Kelley and Glover on track to return from DL on Friday

May 11, 2017, 1:28pm

Nationals

Kelley and Glover on track to return from DL on Friday

They won't, by their mere presence alone, turn the Nationals bullpen from a major problem into a major asset. But the anticipated return this weekend of both Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover from the disabled list certainly won't hurt the Nats' attempt to stabilize the shakiest unit on their roster. The Nationals haven't made final decisions yet, but both Kelley and Glover are on track to be activated off the disabled list Friday and be available to pitch in their series opener against the...

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Nationals need Taylor to contribute offensively

May 11, 2017, 1:20pm

Nationals Orioles

Nationals need Taylor to contribute offensively

The Nationals came from behind to drop the Orioles 7-6 on Wednesday night, scoring five runs and pounding out six hits in the last two innings. Down 6-2, center fielder Michael A. Taylor charged up the rally with a two-run homer off of Orioles right-hander Alec Asher. It was his first homer since July 15, 2016 against Pittsburgh. Taylor also contributed an RBI single in the fourth that plated the Nationals' first run of the night. He also smacked a run-scoring double Monday night in...