nationals

Out of the Park: Pitchers and catchers report to start spring training

February 19, 2016, 5:10am

I have some housekeeping business to address before we get to the best of the Nationals getting ready for spring training. As I'm sure you've noticed by now, we have a new Nats beat reporter here on MASNsports.com, Mark Zuckerman! Guess the news is out there now: Yes, I've been hired as @masnNationals new beat writer. Thrilled to get started, heading to Viera tomorrow! -- Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 16, 2016 JUST IN: Welcome @MarkZuckerman as MASN's new #Nats beat writer!...

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Wilson Ramos trying to avoid pitfalls of contract year pressure

February 18, 2016, 1:20pm

Nationals

Wilson Ramos trying to avoid pitfalls of contract year pressure

VIERA, Fla. - Wilson Ramos saw Ian Desmond, Jordan Zimmermann, Denard Span and Doug Fister all struggle at times in 2015, perhaps burdened by the pressure they faced to perform in contract years. Now Ramos finds himself in that exact same situation, hoping he can avoid the subject (and the struggles) while fully aware of what lies ahead. "It's hard to not think about that, but I'm trying not to think," the Nationals catcher said Thursday on the first official day of spring training. "I'm...

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Source: Nats sign reliever Burke Badenhop to minor league deal

February 18, 2016, 12:32pm

Nationals

Source: Nats sign reliever Burke Badenhop to minor league deal

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have added another veteran to their mix of relievers battling for a spot on the opening day roster, signing right-hander Burke Badenhop to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp this spring, a source familiar with the deal confirmed. Badenhop has been a consistent performer during an eight-year career with five different clubs, posting a 3.74 ERA in 418 appearances with the Marlins, Rays, Brewers, Red Sox and Reds. He has made at least 50...

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After rough 2015, Tanner Roark expects to return to rotation

February 18, 2016, 9:56am

Nationals

After rough 2015, Tanner Roark expects to return to rotation

VIERA, Fla. - Tanner Roark, of all people, knows how things can change in the blink of an eye. He learned last year never to assume anything when it comes to baseball. But make no mistake, the Nationals right-hander fully expects his role to be defined this season. And he expects that role to place (and keep) him in the Nats rotation. "I expect to start," Roark said Thursday on the day pitchers and catchers officially reported for spring training. "I'm coming in here to prepare as a...

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Live from Viera ... it's reporting day

February 17, 2016, 6:45pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - A very pleasant good morning to you from Florida's Space Coast, where the sun is shining, the temperature will approach 70 degrees this afternoon and the four best words in baseball will at last be uttered after a long winter: Pitchers and catchers report. Yes, it's the first official day of spring training and it all gets underway shortly at Space Coast Stadium. It's at this point when I'm compelled to offer this disclaimer: Reporting date is kind of a misnomer. Pitchers and...

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#TBT: Joe Ross strikes out 11 in third career start

February 17, 2016, 12:12pm

Nationals

#TBT: Joe Ross strikes out 11 in third career start

BASEBALL. IS. BACK. Pitchers and catchers report today, which means that Nationals baseball is officially here for the 2016 season! Spring training will answer a lot of questions surrounding the Nationals, including how the bullpen and starting rotation will shape up. Tanner Roark is likely to rejoin the rotation since he had an impressive 2014 campaign as a starter, posting a 15-10 record and a 2.85 ERA. Pitching out of the bullpen last season, he pitched to a 4.38 ERA. Another pitcher likely...

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Nats sign veteran reliever Matt Belisle to minor league deal

February 17, 2016, 6:40pm

Nationals

Nats sign veteran reliever Matt Belisle to minor league deal

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals added another veteran reliever to their spring training mix on the eve of reporting day, signing right-hander Matt Belisle on Wednesday to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp. Belisle, 35, has spent parts of 12 seasons in the majors, going 49-55 with a 4.34 ERA in 558 career appearances, all but 44 of them coming out of the bullpen. A workhorse for the Rockies in recent years, he pitched in 368 games from 2010-14, second only to former...

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A re-introduction to the Nats ... and me

February 16, 2016, 7:45am

Nationals

A re-introduction to the Nats ... and me

When last we saw them assembled on a baseball field, the Nationals were managed by Matt Williams. Ian Desmond was their shortstop. Jordan Zimmermann was their most-consistent pitcher over a period of five years. Drew Storen was a key part of their bullpen. When next we see them assembled on a baseball field, none of that will be true. Williams was fired less than 24 hours after the season finale, ultimately replaced by Dusty Baker (after a brief fling with Bud Black went awry). Desmond and...

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A few spring training storylines to watch

February 15, 2016, 3:36am

Nationals

A few spring training storylines to watch

The countdown is on, with Nationals pitchers and catchers reporting to Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., on Thursday. So here are a few storylines to watch throughout spring training: * Can Tanner Roark re-establish himself as a permanent member of the Nationals starting rotation? Many pitchers would have thrown a fit or even demanded a trade after being bumped from the rotation to the bullpen following a 15-win campaign with a sub-3.00 ERA. Though Roark handled the demotion with...

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Hello and goodbye

February 16, 2016, 3:07am

Nationals

It seems like just yesterday that Stephen Strasburg made one of the most anticipated professional sports debuts in history. But in a couple of days, the 27-year-old may be approaching his final spring training with the Nationals. Strasburg avoided arbitration with the Nats last month, agreeing to play the final year of his contract in Washington for a reported $10.4 million. At the Winter Meetings in December, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was asked about the possibility of signing...

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Giolito headlines non-roster invitees on eve of spring training

February 16, 2016, 5:10am

Nationals

Giolito headlines non-roster invitees on eve of spring training

Taking a closer look at the non-roster invitees to Nationals spring training offers an intriguing list of veterans. Some have pitched or hit well in the past, some have previous Nationals experience, and the list includes the organization's top prospect, who is close to tasting the major leagues for the first time. The biggest name, by far, is baseball's top pitching prospect, right-hander Lucas Giolito. He will obviously be the biggest name to watch in spring training, to see how he fares...

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Bryce Harper has big goals for Jonathan Papelbon in 2016

February 14, 2016, 5:00am

Nationals

Bryce Harper has big goals for Jonathan Papelbon in 2016

On Sept. 27, Jonathan Papelbon barked at Bryce Harper from the dugout railing, instigating a fight which left the veteran closer's hands clasped around the young slugger's throat before players and coaches ripped the two apart. A day later - after serving a baffling one-game suspension - Harper brushed off the scrum with Papelbon, saying he hoped they could win a World Series together in 2016. Nobody believed it at the time, as the sure bet had general manager Mike Rizzo dumping Papelbon this...

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Nationals announce 2016 non-roster invitees

February 15, 2016, 1:58pm

Nationals

Pitchers and Catchers to report to Viera, Fla. by February 18 The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Bronson Arroyo, left-handed pitcher Sean Burnett, right-handed pitcher Paolo Espino, left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey, right-handed pitcher Nick Masset, catcher Jhonatan Solano, infielder Brendan Ryan, infielder Scott Sizemore, outfielder Chris Heisey, outfielder Reed Johnson and outfielder Logan Schafer on minor league contracts with invitations to 2016 major...

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Questions for each National League team going into spring training

February 15, 2016, 6:06am

Nationals

Questions for each National League team going into spring training

Spring training has arrived in Florida and Arizona, and I have questions about every one of the 15 National League teams. Here they are: St. Louis: Can the Cardinals, who won 100 games last year despite key injuries, be able to get rebound seasons from pitcher Adam Wainwright, catcher Yadier Molina, first baseman Matt Adams and outfielder Matt Holliday? Los Angeles: How much will the Dodgers miss Zack Greinke, who signed a free agent contract with the Diamondbacks and broke up the best one-two...

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If Bryce Harper keeps pace, his price will go up

February 13, 2016, 3:46am

Nationals

If Bryce Harper keeps pace, his price will go up

Speculation regarding Bryce Harper's long-term future in Washington isn't anything new. Heck, it began as soon as the Nationals made a 17-year-old Harper the most-hyped No. 1 overall pick in 2009 since, well, Stephen Strasburg the year before. But as Harper entered the conversation in 2015 as arguably the game's best all-around player, questions started to swell about how long he'll remain in a curly-W cap. "I'm definitely excited about the upcoming years and very excited to further my...

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Bobbleheads, Bryce Harper Chia Pet highlight 2016 Nationals promotional schedule

February 12, 2016, 12:19pm

Nationals

If you've got a thing for bobbleheads, the Nationals will make you happy in 2016 by giving you the opportunity to add a few new pieces to your collection. The Nats have released their 2016 promotional schedule, and it includes six bobbleheads - two depicting Max Scherzer's no-hitters (May 23 and Aug. 26) along with nodders of new manager Dusty Baker (July 19), a Racing President (July 3) and National League MVP Bryce Harper (May 11). There will also be a fans' choice bobblehead issued on...

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Which newcomer will have the biggest impact for the Nats in 2016?

February 12, 2016, 3:44am

Nationals

Which newcomer will have the biggest impact for the Nats in 2016?

Although he never owned the headlines with a splashy move this offseason, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo significantly altered the complexion of his team's roster. With the new additions, the Nationals should be a more consistent hitting team that fills bases along with a crew of veteran relievers who hopefully can secure leads. So which Nationals newcomer will have the biggest impact in 2016? Daniel Murphy was Rizzo's biggest free agent acquisition this past winter. A 2006 13th-round...

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Out of the Park: MVPs take in the Super Bowl with baseball returning in a week

February 12, 2016, 5:37am

Nationals

Out of the Park: MVPs take in the Super Bowl with baseball returning in a week

Do you know how I know it's almost time for baseball? Truck Day. The annual tradition of packing up a 53-foot tractor trailer and shipping it off from Nats Park to Viera, Fla., took place on Monday. It gets you excited for pitchers and catchers reporting next Thursday, but it also means this next week is going to feel like the longest of the year. Next step: Viera! Watch the #Nats load up their 53-foot truck with spring training equipment. #IBackTheNats ðŸššâ˜€ï¸âš¾ï¸...

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A lot riding for the Nationals on Stephen Strasburg in 2016

February 11, 2016, 2:44am

Nationals

There is a lot riding on this season for Stephen Strasburg as he enters the final year of his contract with the Nationals. Few players in recent memory have arrived in baseball with as much hype as Strasburg did after Washington made him the first overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. Of course, we all remember his stunning 14-strikeout debut against the Pirates on that gorgeous night in June 2010. But then Tommy John surgery shelved the right-hander, and when he returned,...

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Nationals announce 2016 promotional schedule

February 12, 2016, 11:33am

Nationals

Following the reveal of select Nationals 2016 promotional items on the team's Twitter account (@nationals), the full 2016 promotional calendar is now available online at nationals.com/promotions. "We seek to enhance the excitement on the field by creating an equally engaging experience in the ballpark, and a big part of that is our promotional giveaways," said Valerie Camillo, chief revenue and marketing officer for the Nationals. "This season, as fans enter the gates, we will hand out...