nationals

#TBT: Giving thanks for no-hitters

November 25, 2015, 8:44am

Happy Turkey Day, Nats Nation! Or, as I like to call it, Happy Stuffing Day! Beyond all of the food, there are so many different people and things for which I'm grateful, including my family, friends, job and - of course - the wonderful Nats fans who interact with us every day on social media, MASNsports.com and more. I know you may just be a few hours away from digging in, so without further ado, here's our #TBT moment of the week. We know there are few things you're more thankful for this...

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Ryan Zimmerman faces challenge of staying healthy in 2016

November 25, 2015, 3:48am

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman faces challenge of staying healthy in 2016

On Sept. 3, the Nationals were still in striking distance of the Mets for the division lead and the offense was finally clicking with Ryan Zimmerman in the midst of a red-hot streak. At that point, Zimmerman, who had played 34 fewer games than Bryce Harper, had driven in 71 runs, just eight behind the eventual National League MVP's team-leading 79 RBIs. Four days later, an oblique strain ended Zimmerman's season. "If I can stay on the field, I can be productive," Zimmerman said on MLB...

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Dusty Baker keeps Bob Henley as Nationals' third base coach (with Logan Schafer note)

November 24, 2015, 6:02am

Nationals

When Matt Williams was fired as Nationals manager, his entire staff was also informed that their contracts were not being renewed. However, shortly after, general manager Mike Rizzo made it clear that some coaches were welcome back if the new manager wanted their services. This morning, the Nationals announced that Bob Henley will coach third base on Dusty Baker's staff in 2016, assuming the same position he has held the previous two seasons in Washington. Last week, Baker chose Rick Schu,...

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Steely stare, icicle hair make Harper-inspired ugly sweater a thing of beauty

November 25, 2015, 4:55am

Nationals

Steely stare, icicle hair make Harper-inspired ugly sweater a thing of beauty

It's the day before Thanksgiving, and in addition to dreaming about my turkey coma, I'm eagerly anticipating a full day (and then some) of Black Friday holiday shopping. Time was, in the pre-Internet days, when the only way to get the bargains was to drag your carcass out of bed at an ungodly hour on the day after the feast and high-tail it to the mall at dark o'thirty. You had a large cup of coffee in one hand and your credit card in the other. All the better to buy with, my dear. Nowadays,...

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Bryce Harper welcomes high expectations

November 24, 2015, 3:22am

Nationals

Hearing the names associated with Bryce Harper's historic National League Most Valuable Player season was like touring through Cooperstown. Only two players 22 or younger had a better OPS than Harper's major league-leading .460 mark - Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Jimmie Foxx. The Nationals slugger became the youngest player in the history of game to smash 42 homers and draw 124 walks. The previous youngest was Babe Ruth, arguably the greatest player ever, at 25 in 1920. Harper also became...

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Nationals reportedly looking at Darren O'Day to help bullpen

November 23, 2015, 3:12am

Nationals

The Nationals may not have to look far to solve some of their bullpen issues this winter. Darren O'Day is widely considered the best free agent reliever available after making his first All-Star team with the Orioles in 2015. ESPN.com reports the Nats and Dodgers are chasing O'Day harder than any other ballclubs, though the Braves, Tigers and Red Sox are also reportedly in the mix for the right-hander's services. O'Day went 6-2 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 65 1/3 innings in 68...

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Rizzo searching for depth in the bullpen

November 22, 2015, 3:56am

Nationals

Rizzo searching for depth in the bullpen

Without a doubt, the Nationals bullpen has the most questions on the team's roster this winter. General manager Mike Rizzo's decisions with his core of relievers begins with whether to forge forward or part ways with veteran right-handers Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen after stormy conclusions to both of their seasons. Right-hander Casey Janssen had a nightmare of a year and the Nationals declined his 2016 option, making him a free agent. Left-hander Matt Thornton also entered free agency...

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Are the Nats chasing another big-name starting pitcher? (minors deal for Heisey)

November 20, 2015, 11:52pm

Nationals

Are the Nats chasing another big-name starting pitcher? (minors deal for Heisey)

The Nationals can't swing another blockbuster deal for a top starting pitcher this offseason. Or can they? Coming off 2014, where their rotation led the National League, the Nats showed an ultra-aggressive approach by signing Max Scherzer to record $210 million contract for a right-hander. That move bumped 15-game winner Tanner Roark out of the starting five. But with right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister likely heading elsewhere in free agency, Roark is seemingly set to resume his...

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Harper credits Desmond, Werth after winning MVP (plus Sizemore note)

November 20, 2015, 2:59am

Nationals

Harper credits Desmond, Werth after winning MVP (plus Sizemore note)

Bryce Harper was clearly humbled by winning his first National League Most Valuable Player award last night. Watching the broadcast on MLB Network, Harper was emotional while speaking with his family surrounding him. He talked of how much hard work he put in, not just over his first four years in the majors, but since childhood with his mom and dad. Harper was also quick to credit his Nationals teammates, specifically Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond, for helping him develop on and off the field....

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Bryce Harper on the possibility of becoming a National for life: "We'll see"

November 19, 2015, 3:59pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper on the possibility of becoming a National for life: "We'll see"

Bryce Harper became the fourth-youngest player in baseball history to win a Most Valuable Player award when he received the National League's highest honor earlier tonight. The slugger is the first member of the Nationals/Expos to win the award, and Harper joins Hall of Famer Walter Johnson (1913 and 1924) and Roger Peckinpaugh (1925) of the American League's Washington Senators as D.C. MVP honorees. Harper's rookie contract keeps him under the Nationals' control through the 2018 season....

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Will teams be hunting for pitching bargains during holiday shopping season?

November 20, 2015, 7:29am

Nationals Orioles

Will teams be hunting for pitching bargains during holiday shopping season?

The holidays are arriving, as well as the bargain-hunting shopping season. Who doesn't like a good deal? Baseball teams are no different, especially when it comes to pitchers. The only ways to upgrade a pitching staff is to sign a free agent, trade prospects or go for the lightning-in-a-bottle route, hoping that a pitcher can get healthy or shake off a bad season, much like the Orioles did with Miguel Gonzalez, the Pirates with Francisco Liriano or the Twins with Phil Hughes. The Orioles need...

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Out of the Park: Teammates congratulate Bryce Harper

November 20, 2015, 6:43am

Nationals

Out of the Park: Teammates congratulate Bryce Harper

We know it's hard to be on your phone following your favorite Nationals on social media 24/7, so we'd like to help you out. Introducing "Out of the Park," a new series that will bring the best of what your favorite Nats players and personalities are doing away from baseball this offseason. Be sure to check back each week to catch how the Nats have stayed active on Twitter and Instagram, sometimes with each other! What better way to kick off this series than recapping how the Nationals...

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Nats prospect watch: Blake Perkins

November 19, 2015, 9:53am

Nationals

The Nationals' 2015 draft class hit the ground running this past summer and into fall instructs in Viera, Fla. I will profile some of these outstanding hitters in the system for the next few weeks. Outfielder Blake Perkins is one of the many prospects on the roster that showed very well last month, drawing the attention of the coaches. The just-turned 19-year-old (September 10) was a second round selection out of Verrado High School in Buckeye, Ariz., in June. He has shown that he is advanced...

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Bryce Harper wins first NL MVP in a landslide

November 19, 2015, 12:57pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper wins first NL MVP in a landslide

Bryce Harper has been named the National League Most Valuable Player in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The announcement was made live on MLB Network tonight. Harper was a unanimous selection, easily beating the other two finalists, first basemen Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks and Joey Votto of the Reds. Goldschmidt finished second. The complete balloting results are available here. Harper is the youngest unanimous MVP in baseball history. Harper is the...

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Nationals release 2016 Grapefruit League schedule

November 19, 2015, 8:32am

Nationals

There are many looking forward to tonight's expected announcement of Bryce Harper as National League Most Valuable Player to wash away some of the disappointments from last season. With a just few short hours before that honor is revealed, the Nationals allowed fans to look to the promise of 2016 with the release of their 29-game spring training schedule. The Nats will open Grapefruit League play on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Park in Port Charlotte, Fla., on March 2. It...

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Three minor leaguers added to Nats' 40-man roster

November 19, 2015, 12:51pm

Nationals

Three minor leaguers added to Nats' 40-man roster

The Nationals have selected the contracts of catcher Spencer Kieboom, infielder Chris Bostick and left-hander Nick Lee, adding the trio of prospects to the 40-man roster. By adding the trio to the 40-man, the Nationals will protect them from being selected in the Rule 5 draft, which will be the final order of business at the Winter Meetings in Nashville on Dec. 10. The deadline for setting the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft is tomorrow. Kieboom, 24, was a fifth-round selection in the...

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Bryce Harper named 2015 National League Most Valuable Player

November 19, 2015, 1:34pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper named 2015 National League Most Valuable Player

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was named the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player on Thursday night, in an announcement made by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on MLB Network. Harper, who was 22 years, 353 days old at the close of the 2015 season, is the fourth-youngest player ever to win the MVP award, and the third-youngest to take the National League honors. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only players younger than Harper ever to earn baseball's...

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Nationals add Bostick, Kieboom, Lee to 40-man roster

November 19, 2015, 1:32pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals selected the contracts of infielder Chris Bostick, catcher Spencer Kieboom and left-handed pitcher Nick Lee on Thursday, adding them to the team's 40-man roster. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Bostick, 23, ranked first in the Nationals' system in stolen bases, fourth in home runs, and fourth in RBI in 2015. In 137 games between Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg, Bostick hit .258 with 22...

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#TBT: NL MVP favorite Bryce Harper hits walk-off homer against Braves

November 18, 2015, 8:08am

Nationals

#TBT: NL MVP favorite Bryce Harper hits walk-off homer against Braves

With Bryce Harper the heavy favorite to be named by the Baseball Writers' Association of America as National League Most Valuable Player tonight, here's another reminder of just how remarkable his 2015 season was. He had the third-best batting average in the majors at .330, tied for most homers in the NL with 42 and led the majors in on-base percentage at .460. And that slugging percentage! He dominated the majors by slugging .649 this season. The second-best slugging percentage? Mike Trout,...

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It's Bryce Harper Day

November 19, 2015, 3:15am

Nationals

The day has finally arrived for Nationals slugger Bryce Harper. Somewhere between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern time tonight, the Baseball Writers' Association of America is expected to honor Harper with the National League's Most Valuable Player Award. The phenom is the overwhelming favorite to win over finalists Joey Votto from the Reds and Paul Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks. Harper showed up at spring training brimming with confidence and vowing to stay healthy. He wasted no time getting...