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Ryan Zimmerman suing Al Jazeera for defamation

January 05, 2016, 3:15pm

Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is fighting accusations of performance-enhancing drug use with a defamation lawsuit filed today in the D.C. District Court against Al Jazeera America. Zimmerman is suing Al Jazeera following an investigative broadcast report that named him as receiving and using Delta-2, a hormone supplement banned by Major League Baseball. During the expose, the following conversation occurs between Liam Collins - a British hurdler working undercover for the...

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Nationals agree to terms with infielder Stephen Drew

January 06, 2016, 10:16am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder Stephen Drew on Wednesday and designated right-handed pitcher Taylor Hill for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Drew, a veteran of 10 Major League seasons, will join the Nationals on the heels of a 2015 season in which he hit 17 home runs for the New York Yankees. The power output was Drew's largest since the left-handed-hitter clubbed 21...

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Nationals agree to terms with infielder Daniel Murphy

January 06, 2016, 8:47am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with All-Star infielder Daniel Murphy on Wednesday, finalizing a three-year contract with the 2015 National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player. Right-handed pitcher Erik Davis was designated for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Murphy joins the Nationals after spending the first 10 years of his professional career in the New York Mets organization, including seven...

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Will fans forgive Jonathan Papelbon in 2016?

January 05, 2016, 3:35am

Nationals

Will fans forgive Jonathan Papelbon in 2016?

A new year has arrived, but the slate has not been wiped clean for the Nationals. The hangover still lingers from the embarrassment of Jonathan Papelbon's very public dugout brawl with Bryce Harper. For many fans, the headache began when general manager Mike Rizzo opted to acquire Papelbon from the rival Phillies at the trade deadline to take over closer duties from Drew Storen. Papelbon's arrival wasn't welcomed just because he was bumping the homegrown right-hander Storen out of the way;...

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Plenty of opportunities for Taylor Jordan and A.J. Cole this spring

January 04, 2016, 3:02am

Nationals

Plenty of opportunities for Taylor Jordan and A.J. Cole this spring

As January began a year ago, the Nationals starting rotation appeared locked and loaded for the 2015 season. But by month's end, general manager Mike Rizzo had stunned everyone by adding another considerable piece, dominant right-hander Max Scherzer. Despite the losses of right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister through free agency this winter, Rizzo maintains satisfaction with a projected starting five arsenal featuring aces Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, veteran lefty Gio Gonzalez,...

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Matt Grace must be able to get both left- and right-handed hitters out

January 04, 2016, 11:22am

Nationals

Matt Grace must be able to get both left- and right-handed hitters out

Left-hander Matt Grace enjoyed a pair of stints with the Nationals in 2015. He was up with the big club and appeared in games first in April and May, then again in September and October. Grace went 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA in 26 appearances. He allowed earned runs in only four of those games. Grace said at Winterfest he understood the reason why he had to be sent down the first time and appreciated the huge opportunity to pitch in the majors, an opportunity not given to every prospect. "As you make...

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Chris Speier looking for ring at Dusty Baker's side

January 03, 2016, 4:34am

Nationals

Chris Speier looking for ring at Dusty Baker's side

New Nationals bench coach Chris Speier's long career in the majors nearly began in Washington when the Senators drafted him out of high school in 1968. But Speier opted for college and became the second overall pick by the Giants two years later. Speier played 19 years, mostly as a shortstop, for the Giants, Expos, Cardinals, Twins and Cubs, and made three All-Star teams. After retiring in 1989, Speier jumped into coaching with the Giants and Cubs before becoming a minor league manager in the...

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Are Nats' Storen, Papelbon the right relievers to fill bullpen holes elsewhere?

January 04, 2016, 4:30am

Nationals Orioles

Are Nats' Storen, Papelbon the right relievers to fill bullpen holes elsewhere?

The Nationals have spent the offseason rebuilding their bullpen, adding Trevor Gott, Shawn Kelley, Oliver Perez and Yusmeiro Petit. With Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon, it would appear the Nationals' bullpen is set. But, given that Storen asked for a trade and Papelbon attempted to choke Bryce Harper at the end of last season, there are questions: Will Storen and Papelbon stay in D.C. and can their issues not be a distraction? If the Nationals can't trade Papelbon, do they release him at...

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Michael A. Taylor aiming for big step in 2016

January 02, 2016, 6:26am

Nationals

Michael A. Taylor aiming for big step in 2016

Michael A. Taylor has a lot on his shoulders. He's currently projected as the Nationals' starting center fielder sandwiched between proven veteran Jayson Werth and reigning National League Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper. At 24, Taylor shows as a five-tool player. His slender frame glides through the alleys turning sure doubles into easy outs. Taylor has power too. Plenty of it. His 14 homers last year included a mammoth 493-foot blast at Coors Field and a titanic ninth-inning game-winning...

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New year's resolutions for the Nationals

December 31, 2015, 2:24pm

Nationals

A crazy 2015 is now in the rear view mirror for the Nationals. A season loaded with expectations broadened by 'Where's my ring?' proclamations came crashing to an end with an embarrassing in-house fight a day after elimination from the postseason picture. Injuries ruined the core of the team and the Nationals never quite recovered. But there were plenty of positives, led by Bryce Harper's breakthrough MVP season and Max Scherzer's two no-hitters. At 23, Harper appears poised to remain in...

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Could Denard Span return to the Nationals?

December 30, 2015, 3:05am

Nationals

With just two days remaining in 2015, plenty of attractive free agent outfielders remain on the open market. Beyond the Cubs winning the Jason Heyward sweepstakes - which the Nationals were in on - it's been a quiet hot stove for a bunch of big names and big bats in the outfield. Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton and Alex Gordon headline the group still unsigned. You could throw Chris Davis in there, though he is likely to be inked to a long-term deal as a first baseman, not an outfielder. The...

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Nationals reportedly sign veteran infielder Stephen Drew

December 29, 2015, 6:00pm

Nationals

The Nationals have reached a one-year, $3 million deal with free agent infielder Stephen Drew, according to CBSSports.com. Drew, 32, provides middle infield depth behind presumed starters Daniel Murphy at second base and Danny Espinosa at shortstop. The 10-year veteran brings another left-handed bat to Washington's offensive attack. But Drew hit just .201/.217/.381 in 131 games for the Yankees last season. He did smack 17 homers - his best mark since 21 in 2008 - and drove in 44 runs. Two of...

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Eighth- and ninth-inning bullpen plans still unclear for Nationals

December 29, 2015, 3:28am

Nationals

Another potential closer option for the Nationals is off the board after fireballer Aroldis Chapman was added to the Yankees' powerhouse bullpen in a trade with the Reds. It's the second time the Reds reportedly agreed to deal left-hander this offseason after a trade with the Dodgers fell apart during the Winter Meetings when domestic violence allegations involving Chapman surfaced from this past October. The Nationals and general manager Mike Rizzo have been connected to Chapman; they...

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Nats need more offense from Wilson Ramos in 2016

December 28, 2015, 3:26am

Nationals

Nats need more offense from Wilson Ramos in 2016

As he prepares to enter an important contract year with the Nationals, catcher Wilson Ramos is spending the winter with his family in his home country of Venezuela. He's coming off his most durable season, which included catching both of Max Scherzer's no-hitters. Ramos was also Jordan Zimmermann's batterymate for the right-hander's 2014 season-ending no-hitter, making him the first ever to catch three no-nos in a 162-game span. It helped gain Ramos recognition as one of the three finalists...

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Nationals issue statement in support of Ryan Zimmerman after PED allegations

December 27, 2015, 11:47am

Nationals

Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was among several high profile professional athletes linked to performance enhancing drugs in an investigative report from Al Jazeera. The report alleges Zimmerman, as well as Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, purchased and used the drug Delta-2, a hormone supplement that is banned by Major League Baseball. "It's inexcusable and irresponsible that Al Jazeera would provide a platform and broadcast outright lies about Mr. Howard and Mr. Zimmerman," said...

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New pitching coach Mike Maddux excited: "What an inventory of arms over here"

December 26, 2015, 2:40pm

Nationals

New pitching coach Mike Maddux excited: "What an inventory of arms over here"

When the Texas Rangers surprisingly decided on firing pitching coach Mike Maddux after last season, the Nationals wasted no time jumping on the opportunity to bring him aboard. A brief conversation with new Nationals manager Dusty Baker a few years ago in Oakland established a memorable connection for Maddux, making the transition enticing. "You never know when you're gonna be talking to somebody you're gonna be working with," Maddux said earlier this month. "We had a nice chat in the...

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Nationals have pitchers that could move quickly in 2016

December 27, 2015, 4:13am

Nationals

The entire roster of pitchers invited to instructional league are the top prospects in the Nationals organization. The list includes the big names fans are accustomed to: Lucas Giolito, Erick Fedde, Reynaldo Lopez and others. But if we dig a little deeper and go to the Nationals to ask them who are the possible quick movers, guys that raised eyebrows during the season and the work they did in instructs, the list contains names that many fans may not be as familiar with. This list of prospects...

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Christmas cheer or "Bah, humbug" after Nationals sign Daniel Murphy?

December 25, 2015, 7:02am

Nationals

Stability has not been the case with the Nationals infield as of late. Last winter, general manager Mike Rizzo made a bold trade, bringing shortstop Yunel Escobar into the fold. Except the plan was for Escobar to play second base, a position mostly foreign to the veteran besides a few games in his 2007 rookie season. Escobar bristled at the move and eventually ended up at third after Anthony Rendon hurt his knee, then his oblique and finally his quad in a frustrating season. Beyond that...

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Murphy acquisition another signal Nationals seek quick start and big-game experience

December 24, 2015, 3:01pm

Nationals

The Nationals have been searching for an everyday second baseman since the 2015 campaign came to a close. With the departure of shortstop Ian Desmond and Yunel Escobar moving on, Anthony Rendon was set at third base. So it became obvious that the Nationals needed to find a solid, veteran presence at second. They were not going to go into the season with the untested - but gigantic upside of - Trea Turner at that spot. Danny Espinosa looks like the choice at shortstop, and Turner will certainly...

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Nationals stars excited for new opportunity with Dusty Baker

December 24, 2015, 3:32am

Nationals

Loaded with talent, the 2015 Nationals fell woefully short of expectations. Disappointment led to public embarrassment and unnecessary finger-pointing. A year after being named National League Manager of the Year, Matt Williams was shown the door in a desperate need for a breath of fresh air. Enter Dusty Baker, not exactly fresh in age at 66, but exuding cool in style. With 19 strong seasons as a player and 20 more as a major league manager, Baker's reputation preceded his arrival in the...