nationals

Nationals recall Reynaldo Lopez, release Jonathan Papelbon

August 13, 2016, 11:24am

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez from Triple-A Syracuse and released right-handed pitcher Jonathan Papelbon on Saturday. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Lopez returns to the Nationals for the third start of his major league career, which he will make Saturday evening against the Atlanta Braves. The 22-year-old made his major league debut on July 19 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In that...

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Treinen seizes opportunity to become fireman out of Nats 'pen

August 12, 2016, 8:08pm

Nationals

Treinen seizes opportunity to become fireman out of Nats 'pen

Blake Treinen has been through his ups and down over the last two years, offering the Nationals glimpses of his abilities out of the bullpen but too often balancing those out with prolonged periods of inconsistency that left his role undefined. If the last three months are a sign, though, the right-hander may have at last found his place, and the Nats couldn't be happier to have it happen. Over a span of 35 appearances that dates back to May 15, Treinen has posted an 0.84 ERA, allowing just...

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Braves, heat and humidity combine to take down Strasburg

August 12, 2016, 7:53pm

Nationals

Braves, heat and humidity combine to take down Strasburg

The air temperature was 94 degrees when Stephen Strasburg took the mound this evening at Nationals Park, the heat index 103 (which actually was down seven degrees from a few hours earlier). Heat, humidity and Strasburg have not made for a great combination over the years, and they certainly did not mesh well tonight during what became an 8-5 loss to the Braves on the most uncomfortable evening of the summer. "Obviously, as you can see, I sweat profusely," said the right-hander, who has been...

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Freeman's stellar track record vs. Nats continued against ace Strasburg

August 12, 2016, 7:40pm

Nationals

Freeman's stellar track record vs. Nats continued against ace Strasburg

Freddie Freeman has Stephen Strasburg's number. He also likes hitting at Nats Park. Both trends continued in Friday's series opener. Freeman went 2-for-3 with a double and homer and four RBIs as Atlanta dropped the Nationals for the first time in seven matchups 8-5. Manager Dusty Baker said Strasburg labored in the sweltering temps, but in the end it was the Braves first baseman that caused the most damage. "It was too much Freddie Freeman," Baker said. "I was told before that Freddie has...

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Freeman leads Braves past Strasburg 8-5

August 12, 2016, 6:17pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg had an opportunity to earn his career-high 16th victory if he could hold off the last-place Braves Friday night at Nat Park. But Freddie Freeman had other ideas as the Braves stunned the Nationals 8-5. It was the Nats first loss to the Braves in eight straight meetings. They were 6-0 versus Atlanta this season before Friday's setback. When Freeman faces off against the Nats, it usually hasn't worked out well for the Nats. In his career, Freeman has hit .324 with 25 doubles,...

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Baker hoping for best during 20-game stretch (Nats lose 8-5)

August 12, 2016, 3:49pm

Nationals

Baker hoping for best during 20-game stretch (Nats lose 8-5)

Dusty Baker wanted his players to enjoy all the days off they've had recently, because he knows they won't be getting any more for quite some time. The Nationals tonight open a stretch of 20 consecutive days with games on the schedule, a three-week span that includes parts of two homestands and parts of two road trips. This after the Nats just had three of the previous eight days off. It's not exactly an ideal scenario for a ballclub, or for a manager trying to navigate his club through the...

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Baker confirms Lopez will make third start Saturday

August 12, 2016, 1:30pm

Nationals

Baker confirms Lopez will make third start Saturday

Manager Dusty Baker confirmed that right-hander Reynaldo Lopez will make his third major league start for the Nationals on Saturday night against the Braves. Baker said Lopez gets the call in part because that was his start date with Triple-A Syracuse. He also likes Lopez in that spot because of the long road trip starting Monday in the Mile High City. "Well, that's his day and also this will be our last opportunity give these other guys an extra day off," Baker said. "Because this 20 in a...

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Harper still sidelined as nature of injury is questioned

August 12, 2016, 1:40pm

Nationals

Harper still sidelined as nature of injury is questioned

Bryce Harper once again is not in the Nationals lineup, and there doesn't seem to be any more clarity to what exactly is keeping the struggling slugger from playing. Or when he'll be ready to return. The Nationals continue to refer to Harper's ailment as a "stiff neck," with manager Dusty Baker also mentioning a recurring "spasm." But late this afternoon, Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci reported that Harper "has been playing through a right shoulder injury for the past two months,"...

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Game 114 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

August 12, 2016, 11:06am

Nationals

It's now Day 6 of the Bryce Harper Stiff Neck Watch, and the end result is the same: He's not in the lineup. You've got to think the Nationals are reaching a critical point in this process. If they can't be certain Harper is on the verge of returning, they're going to have to consider the disabled list. Tonight's series opener against the Braves features Stephen Strasburg on the mound, seeking his 16th victory. He'll be attempting to do that in some of the most extreme weather conditions...

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On Saturday's starter, and other roster machinations

August 11, 2016, 1:36pm

Nationals

On Saturday's starter, and other roster machinations

Stephen Strasburg is pitching tonight's series opener for the Nationals against the Braves. Tanner Roark is pitching Sunday. Which leaves Saturday's starter as the always mysterious "TBA." At least, officially, that's what the Nats are saying. All signs, however, point to Reynaldo Lopez making the start. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Syracuse, so he's already properly lined up. Why are the Nationals going to call up one of their prospects now when the schedule allows...

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Thursday morning Nats Q&A

August 10, 2016, 8:28pm

Nationals

This is a particularly strange portion of the Nationals schedule. They've had three of the last eight days off. They just played their second two-game interleague series against the Indians. Now they prepare to play 20 consecutive days before getting another break, after the calendar has already turned to September. Through it all, the Nats haven't let up. They enter the day 21 games over .500, holding a 7 1/2-game lead over the Marlins and a 10-game lead over the Mets in the National League...

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Rendon's doubles adding needed punch to lower half of lineup

August 12, 2016, 5:03am

Nationals

Rendon's doubles adding needed punch to lower half of lineup

Daniel Murphy and Wilson Ramos have done a nice job of carrying the offense with the most consistency for the first four-and-a-half months of the season. Injuries to Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper have kept them out of the lineup at times. Both have had to deal with injuries. More recently, Harper's stiff neck has forced him to miss three games. The Nationals have had Jayson Werth getting on base a season club record of 40 straight games. Plus, Trea Turner has been able to get on base and...

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Opposite dugout: New-look Braves face Nats for first time in four months

August 11, 2016, 6:46am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: New-look Braves face Nats for first time in four months

Manager: Brian Snitker (interim manager) Record: 43-72 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.281/.371/.521 with 21HR, 49 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.274 /.348/.388 with 62 RBIs), 3B Adonis Garcia (9 HR, 39 RBIs), RHP Mike Foltynewicz (5-5, 4.837 ERA), RHP Jim Johnson (3.61 ERA with 9 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-6 Pitching probables: Aug. 12: RHP Mike Foltynewicz vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 13: RHP Rob Whalen vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug....

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District 34 podcast: What's going on with Bryce Harper?

August 11, 2016, 11:00am

Nationals

District 34 podcast: What's going on with Bryce Harper?

It's the question that's on every Nationals fan's mind: What's up with Bryce Harper? Well, Byron Kerr and I don't have the exact answers, but we spend much of this week's episode of the District 34 podcast giving our take on Harper's slump and how he can get out of it. The Nationals are currently holding a 7 1/2-game lead in the National League East, with the Marlins and Mets losing in their afternoon games as I write on a Nats off-day. That's a comfortable lead, but it's no secret...

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Fedde delivers in Double-A debut

August 11, 2016, 4:58am

Nationals

Right-hander Erick Fedde (1-0) went seven innings for the win in his Double-A debut as Harrisburg defeated Altoona 5-2. Fedde allowed one run on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. He also hit one batter. Fedde threw 103 pitches, 58 for strikes. Overall, Fedde is now 7-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) between Harrisburg and high Single-A Potomac. The only run Altoona scored was a two-out triple in the seventh. It is impressive to see Fedde go up to Double-A and have such a...

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David Huzzard: The Nats offense doesn't get enough credit

August 11, 2016, 4:32am

Nationals

David Huzzard: The Nats offense doesn't get enough credit

It should come as no surprise that the same debates about the Nationals are being had in 2016 that were had in 2012 and 2014 as Mike Rizzo built very similar teams. Even the 2013 and 2015 Nationals that failed to make the playoffs were similar. The Nats offense always seems to be in the top half of the league and the success of the team depends on the performance of the pitching. The debate in all those years has always been about the offense. Yesterday morning, I woke up and saw multiple...

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Nationals' bats finally come alive in 7-4 victory over Indians

August 10, 2016, 3:00pm

Nationals

On a blistering hot afternoon when they needed production from their erratic and injury-depleted lineup, the Nationals got just what they ordered. Jayson Werth's three-run homer highlighted the Nats' best offensive performance of this homestand, propelling them to a 7-4 victory over the Indians and a split of their brief, two-game interleague series. Werth homered, doubled and walked, extending his league-best streak of consecutive games reaching base to 40. Daniel Murphy, Wilson Ramos and...

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Rediscovering his old approach, Werth produces for Nats again

August 10, 2016, 4:43pm

Nationals

Rediscovering his old approach, Werth produces for Nats again

Jayson Werth long ago figured out what kind of hitter he was. He may have the physique of a slugger, but deep down he's a table-setter, a guy who's at his best when he works the count, takes his walks, prolongs at-bats and ultimately does whatever he needs to do to get on base. At various points along the way, managers and hitting coaches have suggested to Werth that he try a more aggressive approach, that he try to drive the ball more and not let himself get into bad counts. That, though,...

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The latest on Harper's injury and the domino effect it has

August 10, 2016, 11:00am

Nationals

The latest on Harper's injury and the domino effect it has

The Nationals hoped Bryce Harper would be back in the lineup by now, not forced to sit out three straight games with a stiff neck. But with the slumping slugger still less than 100 percent healthy, and with another day off for the club following today's series finale with the Indians, there didn't appear to be much reason to push Harper back into action quite yet. "We have an off-day tomorrow, which is a blessing, so why should we risk going backwards today if we've got tomorrow off and we...

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Ball flying on scorching afternoon in D.C. (Nationals win 7-4)

August 10, 2016, 1:22pm

Nationals

The heat index was 102 degrees when the Nationals took the field at 4:05 p.m. today for their series finale against the Indians. Is it any surprise the ball is flying out of the park? Jayson Werth and Francisco Lindor each have clubbed home runs in the game's first three innings, with a couple other doubles off the wall by the Indians, who have rallied to leave things tied 4-4 on a scorching hot day in the District. Werth launched a three-run homer into the left field bullpen in the bottom of...