nationals

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon named NL Comeback Player of the Year

November 29, 2016, 9:39am

Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was named the 2016 National League Comeback Player of the Year on Tuesday in an announcement made by Major League Baseball on MLB Network. Rendon was joined by the American League honoree, Boston Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello. The Comeback Player of the Year Awards are officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball and presented annually to one player in each league who has re-emerged on the field during the season. The 30 club beat...

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Could the Nationals give Revere another chance?

November 26, 2016, 7:35pm

Nationals

In all of the discussions we've had since the season ended six weeks ago about the various choices the Nationals have for their 2017 outfield, we've kind of glossed over one more option that isn't all that outrageous: bringing Ben Revere back as the starting center fielder. Revere turned into a forgotten man over the season's final two months, once he was bumped from his starting job by Trea Turner. That bumping was more than deserved, but it left Revere with virtually no role down the...

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Ramos progressing in rehab from right knee surgery

November 25, 2016, 8:06pm

Nationals

Ramos progressing in rehab from right knee surgery

We'll never know what might have been had Wilson Ramos not torn the ACL in his right knee on Sept. 26, whether it would have altered the Nationals' postseason fortunes and whether it would have altered their chances of re-signing him this winter. Neither Ramos nor the Nationals can do anything about that now. They can only look forward. And for Ramos, that means some intense rehabilitation right now as the free agent catcher tries to convince teams around the sport he is still worth a...

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Relive "Nationals Classics": Wild finishes and pitching gems

November 22, 2016, 10:46am

Nationals

How's everyone feeling post-Thanksgiving? Were you able to walk off some of those extra pounds gained on Thursday? Well if you weren't able to, I've got some good news for you baseball fans: We are officially one week away from the Winter Meetings at National Harbor! MASN is leading you up to baseball's big offseason event in our own backyard with a jam-packed week of Nationals walk-offs and pitching gems. Take a look at this week's "Nationals Classics" schedule on MASN: Monday, Nov. 28,...

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What's your Black Friday shopping wish for the Nationals?

November 24, 2016, 7:34pm

Nationals

It's Black Friday, which means around the country people stayed up all night so they could fight off their fellow citizens with sticks trying to snag a cheap television or washing machine or Tickle Me Elmo or whatever it is people fight each other over these days. (Suffice it to say, I don't know a thing about any of this. I prefer to do my shopping at 11 a.m. on random Tuesdays, when nobody else can get in your way.) But I guess Black Friday is a big thing for many because it presents the...

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What the Nationals are thankful for today

November 23, 2016, 11:35am

Nationals

It's a tumultuous time in the world, but today we all pause to spend time with family and friends and appreciate what we have. That applies to the Nationals, as well. (Hey, these guys are human beings. They have feelings, too!) And so in honor of this fourth Thursday of November, we present to you what each of the following Nats are most thankful for right now. (These are 100 percent accurate, I assure you. I would never make up fake news just to get readers riled up!) ... MAX SCHERZER: For...

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Nationals acquire hard-throwing reliever from Phillies

November 23, 2016, 7:05am

Nationals

The Nationals have acquired reliever Jimmy Cordero from the Phillies for a player to be named, hoping the hard-throwing right-hander can bounce back from an injury-plagued season in Philadelphia's farm system and become a late-inning arm for them at some point. Cordero, 25, had been designated for assignment last week by the Phillies, who needed to clear space on their 40-man roster for other prospects who needed to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. He has no major league experience but now...

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Is an experienced closer necessary to win a World Series?

November 22, 2016, 7:22pm

Nationals

Is an experienced closer necessary to win a World Series?

It is perhaps the Nationals' biggest dilemma this winter - who's going to pitch the ninth inning? - and there is no easy solution to the problem. The Nationals could sign one of the three big-name closers on the open market this winter, luring Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen to D.C. or bringing Mark Melancon back. They could take a chance and entrust the job to one of several in-house candidates, either veteran Shawn Kelley or young relievers Blake Treinen, Sammy Solis or Koda Glover. Or...

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Who could be first National enshrined in Cooperstown?

November 21, 2016, 7:33pm

Nationals

Who could be first National enshrined in Cooperstown?

The 2017 Hall of Fame ballot was released yesterday, and as noted here, there's a decent chance Ivan Rodriguez could become the first ever permanent resident of Cooperstown to have played for the Nationals. Rodriguez, of course, would not go into the Hall wearing a curly W cap on his head. He'd almost certainly be a Ranger, with only a passing mention of "Washington, N.L." on his plaque. Which raises the following question (kudos to reader Ed Frank for bringing it up): Who will be the first...

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Nationals acquire pitcher Jimmy Cordero from Phillies

November 23, 2016, 6:28am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Jimmy Cordero from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Cordero, 25, is 10-12 with a 3.80 ERA over the course of his five-year Minor League career. Originally signed as a free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays, Cordero has worked almost exclusively as a reliever during his professional career, starting just...

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Former Nat Ivan Rodriguez among 34 Hall of Fame candidates

November 21, 2016, 8:25am

Nationals

Former Nat Ivan Rodriguez among 34 Hall of Fame candidates

There are a number of Hall of Famers who played at least a portion of their careers in Washington, but none played for this incarnation of the Nationals, and none sports a plaque that includes the words: "Washington, N.L." That could change next summer if Ivan Rodriguez is inducted to the Hall in his first year of eligibility. Rodriguez, who caught for the Nationals in 2010-11 to wrap up a remarkable career, officially became a candidate today when the Hall of Fame released its 2017 ballot....

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Monday morning Nats Q&A

November 20, 2016, 6:22pm

Nationals

It's been a while since we did one of these, so it seems like a good time to bring back the Q&A. What to discuss? Well, there's the question at catcher, at closer and perhaps one other spot in the lineup. There's the question of pursuing another big-name starting pitcher. There's the question of Trea Turner's eventual position on the field. There's the question of the health of prominent players. There's the question of veterans trying to bounce back after disappointing seasons. And...

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Nats sign former Orioles prospect Snyder to minor league deal

November 19, 2016, 12:16pm

Nationals

Nats sign former Orioles prospect Snyder to minor league deal

The Nationals have signed former Orioles first-round pick and Northern Virginia product Brandon Snyder to a minor league contract. Snyder, who turns 30 this week, will have an invitation to big league camp with an opportunity to compete for a spot on the opening day roster, according to a source familiar with the deal. The Orioles made Snyder the 13th overall pick in the 2005 draft out of Westfield High School in Chantilly, but the corner infielder has struggled to stick in the major leagues...

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Heisey deal is official, outfielder returns to Nats for $1.4 million

November 19, 2016, 5:56am

Nationals

Heisey deal is official, outfielder returns to Nats for $1.4 million

The Nationals officially announced their one-year contract with Chris Heisey this morning after the outfielder passed a physical, ensuring one of their most productive bench players returns in 2017. Heisey will earn $1.4 million in base salary plus incentives, according to a source familiar with the deal. The two sides had agreed in principle to the contract Nov. 11, but its completion was pending the physical. The 31-year-old outfielder joined the Nationals last winter on a minor league...

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Bryce Harper presents award at American Music Awards

November 21, 2016, 4:25am

Nationals

Bryce Harper presents award at American Music Awards

Bryce Harper is familiar with award shows. The Nationals all-star outfielder has been named National Leauge Rookie of the Year and MVP, among other awards he's won in his young career. But Sunday night, Harper took on a different role at an award show: presenter. At the 44th annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Harper joined recording artist Teyanna Taylor in presenting the New Artist of the Year award to Zayn Malik. Apparently, Harper also put his baseball skills to work at the award...

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Austin Voth's "little adjustments" fueled three-game win streak in Arizona

November 21, 2016, 3:41am

Nationals

Austin Voth's "little adjustments" fueled three-game win streak in Arizona

The Glendale Desert Dogs came back from a slow start in Arizona Fall League competition, finishing just a half-game from the title tilt. Surprise advanced to the championship and also won the season series with the Desert Dogs 4-2. But the seven Nationals prospects in Arizona made the Saguaros work for that opportunity. "At our low point, we were 6-12," said Glendale pitching coach Sam Narron. "We ended up 17-15. So we were 11-3 the last 14 games. That's pretty impressive considering all...

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Relive "Nationals Classics": Grand slams and 16-inning marathon

November 17, 2016, 8:15am

Nationals

Happy Thanksgiving! As you're enjoying spending time with friends and family, devouring a big bird on Turkey Day and hopefully watching the Redskins beat up on the Cowboys, MASN is giving Nationals fans a couple of baseball reasons to be thankful this year. Check out this holiday week's "Nationals Classics" schedule filled with grand slams and a Sunday special marathon victory: Monday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. - Bryce Harper had reached some major accomplishments in his career before the start of...

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New spring training facility starting to take shape

November 18, 2016, 3:06pm

Nationals

New spring training facility starting to take shape

We are a mere 14 weeks away from the Nationals' spring training opener, which means pitchers and catchers are due to report to West Palm Beach in roughly 12 weeks (no official date yet). Which raises a fairly important question: Is West Palm Beach going to be ready for the Nats? Crews continue to work furiously on the brand-new Ballpark at the Palm Beaches, the new spring home of both the Nationals and Astros. They've been working on a tight timeline throughout, but the consensus opinion all...

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Voth, Bautista among five players added to Nats' 40-man roster

November 18, 2016, 8:33am

Nationals

Voth, Bautista among five players added to Nats' 40-man roster

The Nationals added five players to their 40-man roster this afternoon, in the process protecting outfielder Rafael Bautista, first baseman Jose Marmolejos, catcher Raudy Read, infielder Matt Skole and right-hander Austin Voth from being scooped up by another organization in next month's Rule 5 draft. The additions, which were required to be made before a 5 p.m. EST deadline, leave the Nationals with 36 players officially on their 40-man roster for the moment. (That number will rise to 37 once...

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Nationals agree to terms with outfielder Chris Heisey

November 19, 2016, 5:39am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran outfielder Chris Heisey on Saturday. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Heisey, 31, returns to Washington for his second season with the Nationals after serving as a key member of Dusty Baker's bench and a versatile defender during the 2016 season. He enters the 2017 season as Major League Baseball's all-time leader in slugging percentage as a pinch-hitter...