Pressure's on Harper and Zimmerman to bounce back this spring

Pressure's on Harper and Zimmerman to bounce back this spring
The final countdown to spring training has arrived, and so we're spending the final days of the offseason counting down the Nationals' top storylines of the spring. We continue today with Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman's attempts to bounce back from rough years ... Raise the subject of Nationals who underperformed in 2016, and the first two names out your mouth are likely to be Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman. And raise the subject of the Nationals most in need of a bounce back in 2017, and...

MASN to broadcast seven 2017 Washington Nationals spring training games

MASN to broadcast seven 2017 Washington Nationals spring training games
MASN, the television home of the defending National League East champion Washington Nationals, will broadcast seven Nationals spring training games during the 2017 Grapefruit League season. All of the games will appear on MASN, beginning with the Nationals' Feb. 28 game against the Houston Astros at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the new spring complex shared by the two teams. The Astros-Nationals game on Feb. 28 will be the first in the history of the new ballpark in West Palm Beach,...

Nationals announce 2017 spring training broadcast schedule

Nationals announce 2017 spring training broadcast schedule
Tickets are still available for Opening Day, February 28, as well as other games of the inaugural season of Nationals Spring Training in West Palm Beach, Fl. For fans that are not able to make it to Spring Training, the Washington Nationals broadcast partners, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and 106.7 The Fan, will broadcast a total of 16 Nationals Spring Training matchups in 2017. The Nationals' spring schedule features seven games televised by MASN and a combined 12 games airing on...

Nationals announce full, 63-man spring training roster

Nationals announce full, 63-man spring training roster
Erick Fedde, Andrew Stevenson and Drew Ward are among the 24 non-roster invitees to Nationals spring training, the first opportunity for all three prospects to play in big league camp. The club announced all of its non-roster invitees this afternoon, three days before pitchers and catchers are due to report to the brand-new complex in West Palm Beach, Fla. Several previously announced veterans who signed minor-league contracts - pitchers Matt Albers, Jeremy Guthrie, Joe Nathan, Vance Worley,...

Relive "National Classics": Celebrate start of camp with heroic past efforts

Relive "National Classics": Celebrate start of camp with heroic past efforts
With spring training starting in a few days, it's nearly time for the annual utterance of the four most glorious words in the English language: Pitchers and catchers report. This week's "Nationals Classics" on MASN offer a smattering of game-winning walk-offs, heroic homers and clutch deliveries. It's only a couple of weeks before actual Nationals baseball action begins on MASN, so let these games whet your baseball appetites. Monday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m. - Adam Dunn slugged 76 homers in his...

All eyes will again be on post-injury Strasburg this spring

All eyes will again be on post-injury Strasburg this spring
The final countdown to spring training has arrived, and so we're spending the final days of the offseason counting down the Nationals' top storylines of the spring. We continue today with Stephen Strasburg's return from his late-season elbow injury ... It's not unusual for Stephen Strasburg to report for spring training with some kind of question looming over him. Whether it was his return from Tommy John surgery, his return from the Nationals' precautionary shutdown or his contract...

MASN announces spring training broadcast schedule

MASN announces spring training broadcast schedule
If you're not able to make it down to West Palm Beach to see the Nationals in person this spring, rest assured you will have plenty of opportunities to watch them on television. MASN will be televising seven exhibition games this spring, the network announced this morning, including the first Grapefruit League game to be held at the new The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. That game against the Astros, the ballpark's co-tenants, will be televised at 1 p.m. on Feb. 28, with replays later that...

Baker could need full spring to settle on best batting order

Baker could need full spring to settle on best batting order
The final countdown to spring training has arrived, and so we're spending the final days of the offseason counting down the Nationals' top storylines of the spring. We continue today with Dusty Baker's batting order decisions ... We know which eight players will be in the Nationals' opening day lineup against the Marlins come April 3 (barring injuries or other unexpected developments, of course). We don't, however, know in what order Dusty Baker will bat them. And the manager himself may...

Nats to host Red Sox in newly created exhibition at Naval Academy

Nats to host Red Sox in newly created exhibition at Naval Academy
The Nationals' exhibition slate will once again conclude with a game against an American League opponent on South Capitol Street - and then a newly created final game in a unique venue: the United States Naval Academy's field. The club announced today it will host the Red Sox on March 31 at Nationals Park, then face Boston again the next day at Max Bishop Stadium in Annapolis. It's the first game in a three-year deal the Nationals have struck to play exhibition game at the Naval Academy,...

How will Turner perform at shortstop?

How will Turner perform at shortstop?
The final countdown to spring training has arrived, and so we're spending the final days of the offseason counting down the Nationals' top storylines of the spring. We begin today with Trea Turner taking over as the everyday shortstop ... Say what you want about Danny Espinosa's oft-maddening approach at the plate and how you won't miss watching that four times a night. But here's something you most certainly will miss watching: Espinosa in the field. There was a certain comforting feeling...

Projection models split on Nationals and Mets in NL East

Projection models split on Nationals and Mets in NL East
As equipment trucks (not to mention a handful of early-arriving players) across America make their way to Arizona and Florida, anticipation for the 2017 baseball season perks up. As do season projections by various stat-based sites. FanGraphs.com and Baseball Prospectus have both published their 2017 projections. They do not, however, agree on the identity of the top dog in the National League East division. FanGraphs likes the Nationals, projecting 90 wins and a plus-86 run differential for...

Nats to play Red Sox at Naval Academy on April 1, Nationals Park on March 31

Nats to play Red Sox at Naval Academy on April 1, Nationals Park on March 31
The Washington Nationals are excited to announce they will play the Boston Red Sox in an exhibition game on Saturday, April 1 at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. As part of a new three-year agreement, the Nationals will hold one exhibition game at the Naval Academy through 2019. The Nationals' opponent for the games in 2018 and 2019 will be determined at a future date. Tickets for this special game are not available to the public. The Nationals and Red Sox will distribute...

Nationals acquire lefty reliever Romero from Rays

Nationals acquire lefty reliever Romero from Rays
The Nationals have added another hard-throwing (if erratic) left-hander to their bullpen, acquiring Enny Romero from the Rays in exchange for minor league right-hander Jeffrey Rosa. Romero was on Tampa Bay's 40-man roster and thus immediately joins the competition for a spot in the Nationals' opening day bullpen. The 26-year-old will need to show improved command from last season, though, to head north with his new club. Romero sports one of the game's best fastballs by a left-hander (it...

Can the Cubs rotation help them start a dynasty?

Can the Cubs rotation help them start a dynasty?
The Chicago Cubs, World Series champions for the first time since 1908, are the favorites to win the National League Central. The question is: Could the Cubs - and their youthful position-player roster - be baseball's answer to the NFL's New England Patriots, who won their fifth Super Bowl? The Reds and Brewers are rebuilding. The Pirates have taken a step back. The Cardinals are the only team with a chance to challenge the Cubs. Here's a look at the NL Central: Chicago: The Cubs, defending...

Nats outfield has big names, but how much will they produce?

Nats outfield has big names, but how much will they produce?
As the start of spring training fast approaches, we're breaking down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series concludes today with the outfield ... There are no questions about the identities of the Nationals' three starting outfielders. Those jobs are locked up, two by longtime club stars and one by a high-profile newcomer. It remains to be seen, however, how those three perform, and whether this defensive alignment proves to be the best one. Everything starts, as...

Nationals acquire left-hander Enny Romero

Nationals acquire left-hander Enny Romero
The Washington Nationals acquired left-handed pitcher Enny Romero from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Jeffrey Rosa. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Romero, a 26-year-old left-handed reliever, joins the Nationals after appearing in 52 games (45.2 IP) and striking out 9.9 batters per nine innings in his first full major league season. Possessing an electric fastball, Romero's...

Infield includes MVP candidates and a vet trying to bounce back

Infield includes MVP candidates and a vet trying to bounce back
As the start of spring training fast approaches, we're breaking down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series continues today with the infield ... The Nationals' planned 2017 infield includes the league's reigning MVP runner-up, the league's reigning Rookie of the Year runner-up, one of the league's better all-around third basemen and a once-elite player who still hopes he can recapture his previous form and help lead his team deep into October for the first...

Did the Rockies improve their bullpen enough to compete in NL West?

Did the Rockies improve their bullpen enough to compete in NL West?
The Los Angeles Dodgers will take aim at their fifth consecutive National League West championship, but their biggest rival, the San Francisco Giants, will have something to say about that, especially since they've fixed their leaky bullpen with former Nationals closer Mark Melancon. The surprise team in the division could be the Colorado Rockies. They've beefed up their bullpen and think their rotation is strong enough to allow them to play meaningful games in September. Here's a look at...

Nationals catchers face tall task in replacing Ramos

Nationals catchers face tall task in replacing Ramos
As the start of spring training fast approaches, we're breaking down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series continues today with the catching corps ... How do you replace an All-Star catcher who hit .307 with 22 homers, 80 RBIs, an .850 OPS and threw out 37 percent of opposing base stealers? The answer is: You don't. The Nationals will feel the loss of Wilson Ramos this season, and there's not much they can do about that. After five years battling injuries and...

Breaking down the pitching staffs in the NL East

Breaking down the pitching staffs in the NL East
Super Bowl LI is in the books and that means pitchers and catchers will soon begin showing up in spring training. Here's a look at pitching in the National League East: Atlanta: The Braves are rebuilding their rotation by using experienced pitchers so that their prospects can develop without big-league pressure. ... RHP Julio Teheran, 25, an All-Star in two of his four seasons, will be the opening day starter, followed by RHPs R.A. Dickey, 42, and Bartolo Colon, 43. Dickey had a 4.46 ERA for...