nationals

Nats activate Thornton, option Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse (with lineup)

August 06, 2014, 11:21am

The Nationals' newest reliever has arrived in D.C. and will be active for tonight's game against the Mets. Left-hander Matt Thornton, acquired yesterday in a waiver trade with the Yankees, has been added to the Nats' roster. Right-hander Blake Treinen was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to open a roster spot for Thornton. This means the Nats will carry three left-handers in their bullpen for now. The 37-year-old Thornton joins fellow southpaws Ross Detwiler and Jerry Blevins. Thornton...

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Williams on idea of sending Harper to minors: "It's unacceptable. It won't happen"

August 06, 2014, 2:22pm

Nationals

Williams on idea of sending Harper to minors: "It's unacceptable. It won't happen"

Manager Matt Williams saved the best for last in his pregame meeting with the media Wednesday afternoon. Earlier this morning on his weekly radio appearance with "The Junkies" on 106.7 The Fan, Williams was asked about 21-year-old left fielder Bryce Harper. Responding to an inference that the Nats could send Harper to Triple-A because of his recent struggles offensively, Williams replied: "So I will caution everybody in this room," Williams said. "The minute you think you can read my...

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Williams on Thornton: "He's excited to be here"

August 06, 2014, 1:55pm

Nationals

Williams on Thornton: "He's excited to be here"

Manager Matt Williams said left-hander Matt Thornton is "ready, willing and able," and is in "midseason form," making him available to pitch tonight. "He's excited to be here," Williams said. "He's excited to be on a team that is in first place, vying for a division title. He's ready and willing to pitch whenever we want him to pitch." Now the Nationals have three left-handers in the bullpen. Thornton, Jerry Blevins and Ross Detwiler provide a luxury of choice for Williams and...

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Looking for some separation

August 06, 2014, 6:11am

Nationals

The Braves keep on losing. Another loss last night, to Felix Hernandez and the Mariners, marked Atlanta's seventh straight defeat and their 12th in their last 16 games. Fredi Gonzalez's team is giving the Nationals a major window here, a big-time chance to open up their National League East lead. And to this point, the Nats have been unable to truly capitalize on it. Yeah, the Nats have a three-game lead in the division, which isn't anything to scoff at. It's the widest margin between...

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Gonzalez, Cabrera and Werth after 6-1 loss to Mets

August 05, 2014, 7:31pm

Nationals

Gonzalez, Cabrera and Werth after 6-1 loss to Mets

Things didn't start out well for Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who took the loss Tuesday in a 6-1 setback to the Mets. Gonzalez allowed an extra-base hit in each of the first two frames as the Mets took a 2-0 lead. "Triple, double to left and that was it after that," Gonzalez said. "Pitcher gets a base hit on a broken bat. So, you just tip your cap - that's sometimes how the ball rolls. Can't do nothing about that." Gonzalez, just as any starter would want, hoped his team...

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Nationals activate left-hander Matt Thornton, option right-hander Blake Treinen to Triple-A

August 06, 2014, 11:15am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today activated left-handed reliever Matt Thornton and optioned right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Thornton, who was acquired on a waiver claim from the New York Yankees on Tuesday, joins the Nationals after going 0-3 with 12 holds and a 2.55 ERA (7 ER/24.2 IP) in 46 appearances in his lone season with the Yankees. In his...

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Mets and Wright hammer out early lead (Nats fall 6-1)

August 05, 2014, 3:23pm

Nationals

Mets and Wright hammer out early lead (Nats fall 6-1)

Well, apparently the Mets aren't too excited, or distracted, by Jayson Werth Garden Gnome Night. At least in their first at-bat. In the first inning with one out against left-hander Gio Gonzalez, Daniel Murphy tripled down the right field line. He came home on a single by David Wright, and the Mets led 1-0. Right-hander Zack Wheeler, who bats left-handed, got the Nationals in order in the bottom of the first. The Nationals are 5-1 against the Mets this season. Counting tonight, they have...

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Williams discusses Nats' 6-1 loss

August 05, 2014, 7:04pm

Nationals

The Nationals had a few chances early on, but couldn't cash in. Then the Mets opened things up late. Mets righty Zach Wheeler settled in after a very shaky start and allowed just one run over 6 2/3 innings, and after brushing off a shaky start himself, Gio Gonzalez got into trouble in the seventh, and ended up surrendering four runs over six frames. The Mets tacked on three runs in the seventh and one in the eighth, turning a tight 2-1 lead into a comfortable 6-1 win. Here's manager Matt...

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Rachel Levitin: Not Nationals Stadium, not Nationals Field; it's called Nationals Park

August 06, 2014, 5:04am

Nationals

So I have a pet peeve that I've stayed quiet about for too long now. It's gotten to the point where I nearly boiled over with irritation while discussing said pet peeve with my friend last night. What is it? Well, clearly it's baseball related, since it's being posted on this blog. Even now, in its seventh year of operation, there are people who live in the D.C. metropolitan area and suburbs who call Nationals Park anything except its namesake and it's driving me crazy. I've heard a...

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Nats place Ramos on Paternity List, recall Leon

August 05, 2014, 10:03am

Nationals

Nats place Ramos on Paternity List, recall Leon

The Nationals will be without catcher Wilson Ramos for the next couple of days. Ramos was placed on the Paternity List as he and his wife Yely are expecting their first child. Sandy Leon has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take Ramos' spot on the roster. This is the third time Leon has been with the Nats this season. He is hitting .212 with eight doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs in 34 games with Syracuse this season.

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Nats get lefty Thornton from Yankees (updated with Williams quotes)

August 05, 2014, 11:13am

Nationals

Nats get lefty Thornton from Yankees (updated with Williams quotes)

The Nationals had searched for a left-handed reliever prior to the deadline, but could not nail down a deal. Many teams wanted too much in exchange. So, President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo went the revocable waiver route and acquired left-hander Matt Thornton from the Yankees, according to Jon Heyman of CBSsports.com. Thornton has been impressive this season, with an 0-3 record and a 2.55 ERA in 46 games over 24 2/3 innings. He is a formidable specimen, towering on the mound at...

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Williams hopes Zimmerman can return in late September; Ramos family welcomes baby girl

August 05, 2014, 1:20pm

Nationals

Williams hopes Zimmerman can return in late September; Ramos family welcomes baby girl

Yesterday third baseman/outfielder Ryan Zimmerman started his rehab as he looks to return from a hamstring injury suffered on July 22. "He did some walking on the water treadmill as part of his first course of strengthening exercises," Williams said. "So he's done that. We have a new machine, we have the AlterG (anti-gravity), it's a treadmill, but it takes weight off of your body. His next step will be that. "He's been in the water and he's moving and he's doing things. But it's a...

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Fedde excited to see D.C. and Nationals Park for first time

August 05, 2014, 2:26pm

Nationals

Nationals top 2014 draft pick, right-hander Erick Fedde, made his first trip to Washington, D.C. this week and was in attendance at game against the Mets on Tuesday night. The No. 18 overall selection was a Louisville Slugger second team All-American at UNLV. The 21-year-old was able to give an update on how he is recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he had the week of the draft. "I was doing well. I just recently got out of the brace a couple of weeks ago," Fedde said. "I haven't...

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Lobaton behind plate for opener vs. Mets

August 05, 2014, 11:12am

Nationals

Lobaton behind plate for opener vs. Mets

After a loss in last night's makeup game, the Nationals will look to turn things around tonight, but they'll be without Wilson Ramos. Ramos left the team today after being put on the Paternity List as he and his wife Yely are expecting their first child. Jose Lobaton will get the start behind the plate tonight, and is batting eighth. For the Nats CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond LF Bryce Harper 2B Asdrubal Cabrera C Jose Lobaton LHP Gio...

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Roark, Desmond and Stammen after 7-3 loss to Orioles

August 04, 2014, 7:33pm

Nationals

Roark, Desmond and Stammen after 7-3 loss to Orioles

Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark got to the seventh inning again. Previously he had finished five straight seventh innings and won four of those decisions. On Monday, he couldn't get through that frame as the Orioles scored three times and went on to earn a 7-3 comeback win. "Ball's up, elevated, wasn't hitting my spots," Roark said. "Like I've told you guys many times before, balls up and not hitting your spots, then you get hit hard, and that's what happens." Before Roark took...

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Nationals acquire left-handed reliever Matt Thornton

August 05, 2014, 11:34am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today claimed left-handed reliever Matt Thornton off waivers from the New York Yankees. The Nationals also transferred right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Thornton joins the Nationals after going 0-3 with 12 holds and a 2.55 ERA (7 ER/24.2 IP) in 46 appearances in his lone season with the Yankees. In his 24.2 innings with New York (AL), Thornton...

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Nationals recall catcher Sandy Leon from Triple-A, place catcher Wilson Ramos on Paternity List

August 05, 2014, 10:09am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled catcher Sandy Leon from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed catcher Wilson Ramos on the Paternity List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Leon, 25, rejoins the Nationals for his third Major League stint of the season. The switch-hitting catcher is batting .212 (25-for-118) in 34 games with Syracuse this season, with eight doubles, two home runs and 11 RBI. In 28 games...

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On the decision to let Roark hit last night in the bottom of the sixth

August 05, 2014, 6:27am

Nationals

On the decision to let Roark hit last night in the bottom of the sixth

The turning point in last night's 7-3 loss to the Orioles came in the top of the seventh inning, when Baltimore knocked out six hits, pushed across three runs and turned a one-run deficit into a two-run lead. Tanner Roark had started that seventh inning on the mound for the Nationals, having worked six solid frames to that point, allowing just two runs (both solo homers) on four hits. Roark had been strong through six, but he surrendered three hits in a four-batter span to start the seventh,...

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Dave Nichols: Souza has taken an interesting path to the majors

August 05, 2014, 4:47am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Souza has taken an interesting path to the majors

The Nationals recalled Steven Souza Jr. from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday to replace Nate McLouth on the active roster, as the struggling veteran outfielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation. Souza's return to the bigs was met with giddy anticipation from a segment of the Nationals' fanbase that scours the minor leagues to boast about seeing the "next big thing" before they reach the big leagues. Souza has completely torn up the International League this...

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Nationals unable to hold early advantage (Nats lose 7-3)

August 04, 2014, 3:45pm

Nationals Orioles

Nationals unable to hold early advantage (Nats lose 7-3)

Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark has been through a lot to get where he is at. He had 17 losses a couple of seasons ago in the minors. This year, he has rolled to an 11-6 record. On Monday against the Orioles, with Chris Davis on base, J.J. Hardy's liner hit Roark square in the backside and glanced toward third base for a single. As trainer Lee Kuntz, manager Matt Williams and pitching coach Steve McCatty started to walk toward the mound to see if he was OK, Roark turned around and saw...