nationals

Meaningful home runs will be commemorated at Nationals Park

March 26, 2015, 8:34am

The Nationals will commemorate memorable home runs at Nationals Park, similar to the way Frank Howard's mammoth blasts to the upper deck at RFK Stadium were signified by seats painted white where the ball hit, according to those attending an invitation-only event at Nationals Park on Tuesday night. There will be five initial dramatic home runs that will be honored with specially painted seats in the Nationals Park outfield. They are: * March 30, 2008 - Ryan Zimmerman walk-off home run * July...

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After Rendon's second MRI, Williams says opening day is "in jeopardy"

March 25, 2015, 8:33am

Nationals

After Rendon's second MRI, Williams says opening day is "in jeopardy"

JUPITER, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams is concerned Anthony Rendon will not be ready for the beginning of the season after revealing that his third baseman underwent a second MRI exam on his sprained left MCL yesterday. Rendon has not played since injuring the knee while making a brilliant stop against the Braves on March 9. The Mets come to Nationals Park in just 13 days for the official start of the 2015 season. Williams' optimism for Rendon's availability is fading quickly. "I...

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Scherzer dominantly backs up Williams' opening day call

March 25, 2015, 1:27pm

Nationals

Scherzer dominantly backs up Williams' opening day call

VIERA, Fla. - Two day after Nationals manager Matt Williams announced Max Scherzer will start opening day, the prized right-hander turned in a nine-strikeout gem in 1-0 loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday. St. Louis managed just three hits in six innings against Scherzer, his longest outing of the spring. "I'm happy with that," said Scherzer. "No walks. Nine strikeouts. That happens. That was a result of me just executing pitches today. I really felt like I did a good job of generating...

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Scherzer making quick work of Cardinals so far (Nats fall 1-0)

March 25, 2015, 9:56am

Nationals

Scherzer making quick work of Cardinals so far (Nats fall 1-0)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Cardinals 1, Nationals 0 Recap: Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer was spectacular, allowing just four baserunners while striking out a whopping nine Cardinals in six innings. St. Louis threatened only in the fifth when catcher Yadier Molina singled and John Jay doubled. But Scherzer struck out Cardinals starter Michael Wacha to end threat. Need to know: Nats second baseman Yunel Escobar grounded out three times and is now 1-for-5 in his two exhibition games. Tough...

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Gonzalez: Ramos "determined to lead this rotation to where it needs to be"

March 25, 2015, 4:36am

Nationals

Gonzalez: Ramos "determined to lead this rotation to where it needs to be"

JUPITER, Fla. - Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez is coming off his best outing of the spring, pitching four scoreless innings while striking out five and only allowing two hits and a walk last Thursday. After his effort, he turned all of the attention to batterymate Wilson Ramos for confidently guiding him through his afternoon. "For some reason, just talking to Wilson it looked like he knew what he wanted to do," Gonzalez said. "His gameplan was almost as simple as, 'Just follow me and...

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Another tune-up for opening day starter Max Scherzer (with lineups)

March 25, 2015, 6:52am

Nationals

Another tune-up for opening day starter Max Scherzer (with lineups)

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals will skip left-hander Gio Gonzalez in the rotation for today's game and pitch opening day starter Max Scherzer to keep him on schedule for the beginning of the season. Scherzer has allowed just three runs in 14 innings during Grapefruit League competition. Yunel Escobar will start at second base and bat leadoff in his second appearance of the spring. He was 1-for-2 in Monday's win over the Yankees. Danny Espinosa makes his second spring start at third base...

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Nats release Heath Bell, option Taylor Jordan to Syracuse among moves

March 23, 2015, 3:17pm

Nationals

Nats release Heath Bell, option Taylor Jordan to Syracuse among moves

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals announced they have optioned right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan to Triple-A Syracuse, reassigned infielder Matt Skole and right-hander Evan Meek to minor league camp and released right-handed reliever Heath Bell. Bell, a non-roster invitee, came to Viera hoping to find a late-inning role on a Nats staff that lost Tyler Clippard late in the offseason. He wasn't able to regain the magic that saw him appear in three All-Star Games when he was one of the game's best...

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Can Bryce Harper silence the critics in 2015? (Heath Bell retires)

March 24, 2015, 4:58am

Nationals

Can Bryce Harper silence the critics in 2015? (Heath Bell retires)

VIERA, Fla. - By now, I'm sure you're aware of the ESPN The Magazine baseball preview, which includes an anonymous poll of major leaguers about a variety of topics. Most notable on the list was the balloting on the game's most overrated player. For the second consecutive year, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper won - or maybe lost - in a landslide. Harper received 41 percent of the vote, far ahead of Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, who finished second with 15 percent. The same two topped the...

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Marlins believe they can challenge Nats for NL East supremacy

March 24, 2015, 6:53am

Nationals

Marlins believe they can challenge Nats for NL East supremacy

JUPITER, Fla. - In the last four seasons, the Miami Marlins have finished with 90, 93, 100 and 85 losses. Now, after a 15-win improvement last season, they're taking aim at challenging the Nationals in the National League East. "Absolutely, we think we have a chance to win the division,'' Marlins closer Steve Cishek said. "This team is playing unselfish baseball. It's a new attitude. The players are buying into it. This team is together. We have a chip on our shoulder. We're ready to...

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Yunel Escobar finally takes the field, Matt Williams still cautious with Anthony Rendon

March 23, 2015, 2:57pm

Nationals

Yunel Escobar finally takes the field, Matt Williams still cautious with Anthony Rendon

VIERA, Fla. - Second baseman Yunel Escobar made a successful exhibition season debut in today's 7-6 win over the Yankees. The eight-year veteran has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a Grade 1 oblique strain, which he suffered just before the Grapefruit League opener. Nationals manager Matt Williams placed Escobar at the top of the lineup in hopes of getting him two at-bats in the three innings he played. Escobar responded right way, legging out a chopper to third for an infield...

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Max Scherzer will start on opening day (updated with Williams, Scherzer)

March 23, 2015, 7:21am

Nationals

Max Scherzer will start on opening day (updated with Williams, Scherzer)

VIERA, Fla. - Who will start opening day? That's the question that's been surrounding the Nationals ever since they stunned the baseball world by signing right-hander Max Scherzer. The wait is over. Nationals manager Matt Williams has announced he'll give Scherzer the ball on April 6 against the Mets at Nationals Park. I'm sure Williams was looking forward to finally revealing his opening day starter, considering he's had to answer daily questions about it. The 30-year-old has never...

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Yunel Escobar to make spring debut against Yankees

March 23, 2015, 6:29am

Nationals

Yunel Escobar to make spring debut against Yankees

VIERA, Fla. - Second baseman Yunel Escobar will make his Grapefruit League season debut today against the Yankees. This spring was critical for Escobar, who is essentially learning to play a new position. Escobar has primarily played shortstop throughout his eight-year major league career, but the Nationals traded away reliever Tyler Clippard to fill a need for a more offensive-minded second baseman. Escobar has played only 21 games at the position, all in his rookie season in 2007. Escobar was...

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Nationals Park adds metal detectors for all events beginning April 4

March 23, 2015, 11:18am

Nationals

In conjunction with Major League baseball requirements, the Nationals have installed metal detectors at all gates at Nationals Park for the 2015 season. The new screening program will officially begin April 4 for the exhibition game against the Yankees. Prior to entering the ballpark, fans will have their bags checked and will then proceed through a metal detector. If metal is detected, there will be a secondary screening with a handheld wand-type metal detection device. Following the bag check...

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Doug Fister rocked for two homers, Yunel Escobar debuts with hit (Nats win 7-6)

March 23, 2015, 10:38am

Nationals

Doug Fister rocked for two homers, Yunel Escobar debuts with hit (Nats win 7-6)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 7, Yankees 6 Recap: Right-hander Doug Fister struggled in his fourth spring start, allowing four runs on seven hits, including two homers, in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked none, but saw his spring ERA climb to 4.97. Fister helped his own cause with his bat, however, hitting a two-run single in the fourth. Shortstop Ian Desmond and catcher Jose Lobaton each added two RBIs. Trailing the Yankees 6-4 in the seventh, the Nats scored three times on...

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Center of attention

March 23, 2015, 4:13am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - There's been much hype in the Nationals organization and around baseball regarding the high ceiling of outfielder Michael A. Taylor. It didn't take long for him to introduce himself to the big leagues when he homered in his major league debut last August. Taylor reached a new level yesterday when he drew the attention of Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander. The 23-year-old Taylor homered twice off the former American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner, including a solo shot to the...

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Top prospects Michael A. Taylor and A.J. Cole outshine Tigers superstars

March 22, 2015, 1:55pm

Nationals

Top prospects Michael A. Taylor and A.J. Cole outshine Tigers superstars

LAKELAND, Fla. - The future of the Nationals was on display and shining bright in today's 7-7 tie with the Tigers. Center fielder Michael A. Taylor and right-hander A.J. Cole, both 23, helped the Nats get out to an early lead against former American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander. It was the first time Taylor had ever faced Verlander. In his second at-bat, Taylor worked the count full before smacking a solo home run the opposite way over the right field fence. "That was a...

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Answering questions about Rose's reinstatement request, rotation depth and more

March 23, 2015, 6:18am

Nationals Orioles

Answering questions about Rose's reinstatement request, rotation depth and more

Here are answers to the questions making headlines in baseball: Question: Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader who was banned 25 years ago for betting on games he managed with the Cincinnati Reds, has asked new commissioner Rob Manfred to take a look at his case with a request for reinstatement. Is there a chance? Answer: No. Bringing Rose back would be great for Rose, but not for baseball. During the 1919 Black Sox scandal, gambling almost wiped baseball off the map. It would be difficult to...

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Stephen Strasburg returns to the mound, Werth to play five innings today in minors

March 22, 2015, 9:05am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg returns to the mound, Werth to play five innings today in minors

LAKELAND, Fla. - Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg returned to the mound this morning two days after he sprained his left ankle in conditioning drills. "He threw a light bullpen today so all is well there," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "He'll probably do that again before he gets back on the mound in a spring training game. He's gonna be just fine. No issues." Williams expects Strasburg to make two more Grapefruit League starts before opening day. The Nationals have been...

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Nats get to Verlander early, Taylor homers (Nats tie 7-7)

March 22, 2015, 9:50am

Nationals

Nats get to Verlander early, Taylor homers (Nats tie 7-7)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 7, Tigers Recap: Center fielder Michael A. Taylor banged two solo homers off Tigers ace Justin Verlander to lead the Nats over the Tigers 7-6. Taylor also added a single on the 2-for-3 day to raise his spring batting average to .324. The 23-year-old now has three home runs to go along with two triples and two doubles in the exhibition season. Right-hander A.J. Cole pitched well, giving up just one hit, a two-run homer to Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez....

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A.J. Cole and Tanner Roark face solid Tigers lineup

March 22, 2015, 7:46am

Nationals

A.J. Cole and Tanner Roark face solid Tigers lineup

LAKELAND, Fla. - Highly-ranked prospect A.J. Cole makes his second start of the spring in place of Stephen Strasburg who sprained his left ankle on Thursday in conditioning drills. Cole has given up three solo home runs along with five other hits as well as two strikeouts and two walks in seven innings this exhibition season. Right-hander Tanner Roark will look to build on his solid performance from Thursday when he pitches two innings after Cole today. First baseman Mike Carp continues to...