nationals

Zimmerman appears fine, Williams talks lineup minus Werth, Span and Rendon

March 29, 2015, 8:40am

VIERA, Fla. - After a spring training filled with Nationals starting position players dropping like flies with injuries, manager Matt Williams finally was able to exhale when he received news on the team's latest medical scares. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman left Friday's game prematurely after banging his left shoulder on a diving stop. But Zimmerman was able to participate in full pregame drills today and expects to play tomorrow when the Nationals travel to Jupiter to take on the...

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Fister fifth as Williams lines up his rotation

March 29, 2015, 5:10am

Nationals

Fister fifth as Williams lines up his rotation

VIERA, Fla. - Try to digest this with your Sunday morning waffles: The fifth starter in the Nationals rotation has started eight postseason games, including one in the World Series, and posted a 16-6 record with a splendid 2.41 ERA last season. In fact, one of those playoff starts came for the Nats in Game 3 of last year's National League Division Series. And tall right-hander Doug Fister delivered the Nats' only win of the 2014 postseason when his team needed him most. Facing a must-win...

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Harper fine after awkward fall, Mets shell Strasburg, Roark

March 28, 2015, 2:18pm

Nationals

Harper fine after awkward fall, Mets shell Strasburg, Roark

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg returned to the mound after missing his last start due to a sprained left ankle. He was rolling until the third inning when right fielder Curtis Granderson and third baseman David Wright tagged him for back-to-back home runs as the Mets went on to beat the Nats 10-2. Strasburg ended up pitching four innings while allowing four runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. "(Strasburg) wasn't throwing it exactly where he wanted to...

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Michael A. Taylor leads Nats against Marlins (with lineups)

March 29, 2015, 6:19am

Nationals

Michael A. Taylor leads Nats against Marlins (with lineups)

VIERA, Fla. - Center fielder Michael A. Taylor could be the Nationals' leadoff man against the Mets on opening day. He's occupied that spot in the order for much of the Grapefruit League season since both center fielder Denard Span and third baseman Anthony Rendon went out with injuries. Taylor has produced 14 hits in a team leading 47 at-bats this spring for a .298 average. Eight of those hits have gone for extra bases, including three homers and two triples. Mike Carp showed up to camp as a...

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Clint Robinson is an intriguing choice as backup first baseman

March 29, 2015, 5:28am

Nationals

Clint Robinson is an intriguing choice as backup first baseman

With veteran first baseman Adam LaRoche moving on as a free agent over the offseason, it was no secret that the Nationals were looking to add some left-handed power in 2015. You can see it at third base, with the possibility that the left-handed hitting Ian Stewart could get a shot because of the knee injury to Anthony Rendon. Stewart has done pretty well in spring training, batting .270 in 18 games with three homers and four RBIs. He has played most of his career with the Rockies, and last...

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Strasburg rocked for back-to-back homers (Nats lose 10-2)

March 28, 2015, 10:18am

Nationals

Strasburg rocked for back-to-back homers (Nats lose 10-2)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Mets 10, Nationals 2 Recap: Right fielder Bryce Harper hit his second home run of the spring in the sixth inning. It was just one of seven hits on the day for the Nationals who have only scored six runs in the past 36 innings. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg was tagged for back-to-back homers in a 32-pitch third inning. Strasburg allowed four runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in four innings. Need to know: There was a tense moment in the bottom of...

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Williams announces Nats starting rotation for season, plus injury updates

March 28, 2015, 9:12am

Nationals

Williams announces Nats starting rotation for season, plus injury updates

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams has set his plan of attack for the team's imposing starting rotation. On Monday, Williams announced that new ace Max Scherzer will lead things off on opening day against the Mets. Now we know that right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg will follow Scherzer with lefty Gio Gonzalez next and tall righty Doug Fister rounding out what's been called a potentially "historic" rotation. "There's no deep secret reason behind any...

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Stephen Strasburg is back on the hill today (with lineups)

March 28, 2015, 7:21am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg is back on the hill today (with lineups)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg returns to the mound after missing his last start with a sprained left ankle. Strasburg threw a couple of light bullpen sessions over the past week and Nationals manager Matt Williams expects him to pitch four-to-five innings against the Mets today. The tall righty missed an additional start earlier when he had an ingrown toenail removed. He is well behind the rest of the members of the Nats rotation in innings pitched this spring. Strasburg...

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Don't call it a comeback

March 28, 2015, 5:21am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Dan Uggla was considered a long shot to make the Nationals roster when he showed up for spring training. A lot has changed in the past month-and-a-half for the former three-time All-Star who's batting .303 with two homers, two doubles and six RBIs in 16 Grapefruit League games. "I'm really pleased with the way I've been seeing the ball," Uggla said. "The timing the first 10-15 at-bats was coming together all in itself just like it is at the beginning of every spring...

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Jordan Zimmermann stellar again, not optimistic about contract extension

March 27, 2015, 1:54pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann stellar again, not optimistic about contract extension

VIERA, Fla. - On a windy day with storms all over Florida, Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann was able to bear down and deliver another solid performance in today's 1-1 tie with the Cardinals. The right-hander allowed just one run while scattering four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in six innings. "I felt good, felt strong," said Zimmermann. "Arm felt fine. It wasn't the ideal conditions to pitch in today, but I survived." "I didn't have very good control of anything. Moving...

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Ryan Zimmerman makes early exit, but Matt Williams says he's fine

March 27, 2015, 12:44pm

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman makes early exit, but Matt Williams says he's fine

VIERA, Fla. - First baseman Ryan Zimmerman left today's game after just two innings. "He's good," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "He's played three in a row. He's fine. He dove for that ball, banged himself a little bit. But he's good. No worries." Zimmerman ended the first by diving to his left to make a spectacular stop on a sharply hit ground ball up the first base line by Cardinals left fielder Randal Grichuk. Zimmerman quickly jumped to his feet and flipped the ball to...

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Jose Lobaton flashing the lumber (another tie for Nats)

March 27, 2015, 10:09am

Nationals

Jose Lobaton flashing the lumber (another tie for Nats)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 1, Cardinals 1 (nine innings) Recap: Jordan Zimmermann allowed just one run on four hits with two walks, a hit batter and four strikeouts in six innings. Catcher Jose Lobaton drove in the Nats' only run when he doubled home second baseman Dan Uggla in the second. It was part of a 3-for-3 day for Lobaton that included two doubles. Need to know: The Nats offense is sputtering the past three games, having scored only four runs in 27 innings. Reliever Drew...

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Updates on Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon

March 27, 2015, 8:19am

Nationals

Updates on Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon

VIERA, Fla. - It's time for the medical report from Nationals camp. Unfortunately, this has become the featured portion of manager Matt Williams' morning press conversations. Let's start with the most positive news of the day. Center fielder Denard Span, who is recovering from abdominal muscle surgery, is scheduled to swing a fungo bat in the cages today. "It's good progress," Williams said. "It's part of the rehab progression. Of course we want him back as quickly as possible, keeping...

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Bryce Harper returns from illness, Drew Storen due to pitch (with Nats lineup and cuts)

March 27, 2015, 6:37am

Nationals

Bryce Harper returns from illness, Drew Storen due to pitch (with Nats lineup and cuts)

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have reassigned the following players to minor league camp: infielders Cutter Dykstra and Emmanuel Burriss, catcher Steven Lerud, outfielder Derrick Robinson, infielder/outfielder Kila Ka'aihue and right-hander Manny Delcarmen. Right fielder Bryce Harper is back in the lineup after dealing with a stomach virus the past two days. Right-hander Drew Storen is among the pitchers scheduled to appear today after starter Jordan Zimmermann. It will be Storen's first...

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Max Scherzer's value extends beyond the field

March 26, 2015, 9:35pm

Nationals

Max Scherzer's value extends beyond the field

VIERA, Fla. - When Nationals right-hander Doug Fister showed up at spring training, he was swarmed by media wanting insight on Max Scherzer, the new high-profile member of an already elite rotation. Fister and Scherzer starred together for 2 1/2 years on a Tigers staff that was as impressive as any in baseball. "He's an incredible guy. It's a huge honor for me to be a teammate of his again, to be able to sit back and watch him and continue to learn from him," Fister said. "He's got a...

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A fiery Gio Gonzalez shuts down Mets, bullpen falters

March 26, 2015, 5:31pm

Nationals

A fiery Gio Gonzalez shuts down Mets, bullpen falters

VIERA, Fla. - After giving up back-to-back walks in the third inning, Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez shouted an expletive that could be heard in the left field tiki bar at Space Coast Stadium. "I have a split personality. I talk to myself a lot," Gonzalez said, admitting frustration after the game. "Once in a while, you're going to get a firecracker out of me. The cool thing is learning how to keep your composure knowing that guys are back there telling you, 'Hey, you've got this.' Even...

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Bryce Harper misses second day with stomach virus, time running out for Jayson Werth

March 26, 2015, 11:46am

Nationals

Bryce Harper misses second day with stomach virus, time running out for Jayson Werth

VIERA, Fla. - Bryce Harper will not be in right field for the second straight game when the Nationals take on the Mets today. The 22-year-old has been dealing with a stomach virus according to manager Matt Williams. "He was really feeling bad yesterday and then today he's still not feeling well," said Williams. "He did a little bit of light swinging in the cage. He's still not feeling good so we sent him home today. He could be OK to go tomorrow. We wanted to get him out of here and not...

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Gio Gonzalez strikes out five (Nats lose 8-3)

March 26, 2015, 1:58pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez strikes out five (Nats lose 8-3)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Mets 8, Nats 3 Recap: Gio Gonzalez pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits with three walks and five strikeouts. The Nats finally got on the board in the sixth on a pair of doubles from center fielder Michael A. Taylor and right fielder Clint Robinson. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman followed with a single and the Nats scored all three runs during a two-out rally to pull ahead 3-1. But the Mets scored seven runs over the last three innings to erase the...

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Tyler Moore looks to solidify a spot (Harper out with stomach bug)

March 26, 2015, 9:36am

Nationals

Tyler Moore looks to solidify a spot (Harper out with stomach bug)

VIERA, Fla. - Today's starting left fielder, Tyler Moore, was the story early in the exhibition season as extra-base hits were flying off his bat. His scorching spring has been overshadowed the past two weeks by a series of injuries facing Nationals starters. As we approach the home stretch of spring training, Moore's has a .351 average with three homers, seven doubles, a triple and eight RBIs in 15 Grapefruit League games. The 28-year-old Moore showed up at camp out of options and needing to...

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With Anthony Rendon doubtful for opening day, who's on third?

March 26, 2015, 4:42am

Nationals

With Anthony Rendon doubtful for opening day, who's on third?

VIERA, Fla. - The opening day countdown is on for the Nationals and third baseman Anthony Rendon. The star injured his knee on March 9 while making a typical Rendon-esque play, diving to his left to stop a sure base bit and then jumping to his feet to fire to Ryan Zimmerman at first base for the out. Rendon actually came up to bat in the bottom half of the sixth inning against the Braves that day and then hasn't played since. The initial report was just a bruised knee. That was eventually...