nationals

First look at Fister heading into a contract year

March 08, 2015, 3:30am

VIERA, Fla. - The parade of stellar Nationals arms sent to the mound continues today when Doug Fister takes the hill against the New York Yankees. It promises to be the start of an interesting ride for Fister in 2015. The 31-year-old finds himself uncertain of his future as his contract with the Nats expires at the end of the season. "I don't think there's any pressure," Fister said. "Pressure is what you put on yourself. I want to enjoy the moment as it is. I've prepared myself this...

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Williams not concerned about Strasburg, impressed by prospects

March 07, 2015, 1:03pm

Nationals

Williams not concerned about Strasburg, impressed by prospects

VIERA, Fla. - Most of the focus of spring training has surrounded the Nationals rotation, especially since the addition of Max Scherzer in January. Scherzer and Jordan Zimmermann started the Nats' first two exhibition games. On Saturday, it was Stephen Strasburg's turn. The tall righty looked strong early, as he needed just 12 pitches to retire the Cardinals in the first. But Strasburg struggled in the second surrendering two runs on three hits, two walks and two strikeouts before manager...

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Frandsen at third for Nats, A-Rod at third for Yankees

March 08, 2015, 6:35am

Nationals

Frandsen at third for Nats, A-Rod at third for Yankees

TAMPA, Fla. - Kevin Frandsen is starting at his third different positionin as many games, playing third base this afternoon for the Nationals. Frandsen played second base in the exhibition opener and left field on Friday against the Braves. Nothing new for the versatile Frandsen, who appeared in 105 games for the Nationals last year at four different positions while hitting .259 with one home run and 17 RBIs. Frandsen started 12 games at third base last season and has played 124 games at the...

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Despite early struggles, Strasburg satisfied with effort (Nats rally, win 6-5)

March 07, 2015, 10:38am

Nationals

Despite early struggles, Strasburg satisfied with effort (Nats rally, win 6-5)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 6, Cardinals 5 Recap: Stephen Strasburg allowed two runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Strasburg's difficulties began in the second when he walked Randall Grichuk to start the inning. The Cardinals followed with three straight singles taking a 2-0 lead. Grichuk homered off A.J. Cole in the third extending the Cardinals lead to 3-1. The Nationals rallied in the sixth, taking the lead for good on two-run singles from...

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Escobar to miss 7-10 days with Grade 1 oblique strain

March 07, 2015, 6:09am

Nationals

Escobar to miss 7-10 days with Grade 1 oblique strain

VIERA, Fla. - Yunel Escobar will miss seven to 10 days with a Grade 1 left oblique strain according to Nationals manager Matt Williams. "It's very light, but we still have to shut him down for a few days to make sure that it gets out of there," Williams said. "We would anticipate him being back and playing in spring training games and ready for opening day ,but he'll just be a little bit delayed on that." "(Escobar) says that he doesn't feel it taking grounders or turning pivots. The...

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The right test for Espinosa begins today (with lineups)

March 07, 2015, 4:34am

Nationals

The right test for Espinosa begins today (with lineups)

VIERA, Fla. - Danny Espinosa makes his first start of the exhibition today against the Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Today's game will be televised on MASN HD beginning at 1 p.m. He's been a focus of the early part of spring training as he continues to work on hitting exclusively from the right side of the plate. Espinosa has been a switch-hitter since his youth and has very little experience facing right-handed pitching from the right side of the plate. Espinosa has been spending...

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Strasburg struggles in first start

March 07, 2015, 9:14am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - After breezing through a perfect first inning, Stephen Strasburg labored through 28 pitches in the second before Nationals manager Matt Williams removed him with two outs. Williams had previously said that it was his plan for all starters to pitch either two innings or around 45 pitches. Strasburg had thrown 40 pitches, 26 for strikes, when Williams went to the mound. Strasburg walked Randal Grichuk to start the second. Grichuk scored after back-to-back singles from Scott Moore...

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Uggla can see comeback

March 06, 2015, 9:13pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Dan Uggla is very familiar with Champions Stadium, just not the visitors clubhouse. Uggla played for the Braves for four seasons, meaning he was part of several spring trainings at the stadium down the street from Disney World. Coincidentally, his first Grapefruit League game in a Nationals uniform came against his old team. Uggla smoked a line drive single to right field in his first at-bat and scored on a Tyler Moore two-run homer. Most of the Braves fans applauded their former...

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Nats set for Grapefruit League opener against Mets

March 04, 2015, 10:09pm

Nationals

Nats set for Grapefruit League opener against Mets

VIERA, Fla. - We've known now for two days that Max Scherzer will take the mound later this evening when the Nationals open the exhibition season against the Mets. Former American League Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon will pitch for New York. Here's the Nationals' expected lineup against Colon: CF Denard Span3B Anthony Rendon RF Bryce Harper 1B Ryan Zimmerman C Wilson Ramos SS Ian Desmond 2B Yunel Escobar LF Tyler MooreDH Kevin Frandsen RHP Max Scherzer Certainly, a big storyline is how...

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Moore's hot start is no surprise to Williams

March 06, 2015, 12:27pm

Nationals

Moore's hot start is no surprise to Williams

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - One of the few roster questions the Nationals are facing this spring is what to do with Tyler Moore. The 28-year-old is out of minor league options, meaning he either needs to make the 25-man opening day roster or be subjected to the waiver wire on his way to the minors - and it's doubtful he'd pass through unclaimed. Moore, who has recognized his situation as "critical," has responded early for the Nats. After today's 9-8 Grapefruit League victory over the Braves,...

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Zimmermann satisfied, while Moore's bat scorches early (Nats win 9-8)

March 06, 2015, 8:48am

Nationals

Zimmermann satisfied, while Moore's bat scorches early (Nats win 9-8)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 9, Braves 8 Recap: Tyler Moore was 2-for-3 with a triple, home run and five RBIs. He started the Nats scoring in the second with a two-run shot over the right field wall and then his bases-loaded triple in the fifth gave the road team a 7-4 advantage. Moore is now 4-for-5 through the first two games of the exhibition season with two doubles, a triple, a homer and six RBIs. Jordan Zimmermann was solid in his first start of the Grapefruit League season,...

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Escobar to see doctor for sore back, today's lineups vs. Braves

March 06, 2015, 6:42am

Nationals

Escobar to see doctor for sore back, today's lineups vs. Braves

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Mike Carp was originally scheduled to start at first base in today's game between the Nationals and Braves, but has been scratched. Carp was hit in the foot last night, and manager Matt Williams said he's fine but just sore with a little swelling today. Carp was 1-for-1 with a single and two runs scored last night in his first game as he attempts to make the team as a backup first baseman and left fielder. Yunel Escobar will see a doctor today for soreness in his...

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Blake Treinen doesn't shy away from pressure

March 05, 2015, 8:13pm

Nationals

Blake Treinen doesn't shy away from pressure

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Blake Treinen earned a save last night by pitching a perfect ninth inning to protect the Nationals' 5-4 lead for their first win of the Grapefruit League season. The 26-year-old recalled finishing three Nationals wins last year, but none of them were tight games. "It's just fun to come in and shut the door," Treinen said. "Whether it's the guy in before you has a couple guys on and needs you to come in and help him, that's always a blast to be relied on in...

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Plenty of firsts for Scherzer and Zimmerman, but not for Escobar

March 05, 2015, 5:02pm

Nationals

Plenty of firsts for Scherzer and Zimmerman, but not for Escobar

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams was pleased with what he saw from starter Max Scherzer in his first game action of the Grapefruit League season. "Good velocity, pounded the strike zone," said Williams. "He got behind and gave up a homer. But other than that, he was good." Williams had Scherzer on a two-inning, 45 pitch limit heading into tonight's game against the Mets. Scherzer completed the first two innings of the game in 29 pitches, 20 of which were strikes. He gave up...

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Scherzer gives up home run in first exhibition start (Nats win 5-4)

March 05, 2015, 3:24pm

Nationals

Scherzer gives up home run in first exhibition start (Nats win 5-4)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 5, Mets 4 Recap: Max Scherzer threw 29 pitches, 20 for strikes, in his first exhibition game with the Nationals. Tanner Roark followed Scherzer to the mound and only pitched thethird after giving up three runs, including a towering two-run homer off the bat of Eric Campbell. The Nationals responded in the bottom of the third after a double from Tyler Moore that plated Mike Carp. An error by Mets second baseman Wilfredo Tovar scored Moore, closing the gap...

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Escobar scratched from exhibition opener with "general soreness"

March 05, 2015, 11:32am

Nationals

Escobar scratched from exhibition opener with "general soreness"

VIERA, Fla. - Yunel Escobar has been scratched from today's Grapefruit League opener with what the team is calling "general soreness." Escobar was due to make his first appearance in a Nationals uniform in a game today after coming to Washington from the A's in a trade in mid-January. Kevin Frandsen, who was originally slated to serve as the designated hitter and hit ninth, will replace Escobar at second base, with Mike Carp taking over as the DH and batting seventh. The Nats expect Escobar...

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Werth making progress, hits off the tee for first time

March 04, 2015, 12:18pm

Nationals

Werth making progress, hits off the tee for first time

VIERA, Fla. - Jayson Werth took another step, albeit a small one, in his rehab from surgery to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder on Jan. 9. "I took some dry swings and I took like five swings off the tee or something like that," Werth said. "I don't think I'm supposed to take swings off the tee, but it's a little too late now, isn't it? I've just got to be smart though. I can't do something to put myself at risk, but I didn't feel like that was a big risk. It's real light....

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Harper faces Strasburg for first time

March 04, 2015, 9:48am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - It wasn't exactly Roy Hobbs blowing fastballs by "The Whammer" in a field next to the train tracks, but Wednesday morning's faceoff between flame-throwing Stephen Strasburg and violent-swinging Bryce Harper was certainly the highlight of the first two weeks of spring training. The Nationals made Strasburg and Harper the No. 1 overall picks in 2009 and 2010, respectively. But never had the two faced each other at any time during their years with the organization. Until...

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Williams reveals probable pitchers for first two games

March 04, 2015, 5:20am

Nationals

Williams reveals probable pitchers for first two games

VIERA, Fla. - Just one more day of practice left before the Mets visit Space Coast Stadium for the Nats' Grapefruit League opener. Nationals manager Matt Williams revealed yesterday that Max Scherzer will take the mound first on Thursday followed by Tanner Roark, each throwing two innings or around 45 pitches. This morning, we found out the other pitchers who could also pitch against the Mets: right-handers Blake Treinen, Heath Bell, Aaron Barrett, Eric Fornataro and Rafael Martin, and...

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Rick Ankiel returns to help young Nationals players adjust

March 03, 2015, 6:36pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Rick Ankiel returned to the field with the Nationals on Tuesday - not as a player, but as the minor league life skills coordinator, a new position created within the organization. By the time Ankiel reached the Nationals in 2011, he had already made one of the most resilient comebacks in baseball in the last 50 years. Ankiel made his debut in the majors at 20 and started Game 1 of the National League Division Series for the St. Louis Cardinals. That's when it all fell apart for...