nationals

Nats activate Span from DL, option Souza to Triple-A

April 19, 2014, 7:20am

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated outfielder Denard Span from the 7-Day Disabled List and optioned outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Span, 30, rejoins the Nationals after going 2-for-4 with two RBI, three runs, three walks and a stolen base in two rehab contests with Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League. Before...

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Williams on Treinen, Span, Barrett and concerns so far

April 18, 2014, 2:06pm

Nationals

Williams on Treinen, Span, Barrett and concerns so far

The Nationals needed another fresh arm in the bullpen, so they sent hard-throwing right-hander Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse and called up left-hander Xavier Cedeno. Treinen, 25, allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings in last night's 8-0 loss to the Cardinals and pitched to a 1.35 ERA over three appearances during his first career stint in the majors. Before Friday's game at Nationals Park, manager Matt Williams explained the roster move and detailed the plan for Treinen. "The plan for him...

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Ramos takes five swings, hits five balls as recovery continues

April 18, 2014, 2:00pm

Nationals

Ramos takes five swings, hits five balls as recovery continues

Catcher Wilson Ramos met with reporters pregame Friday to give an update on the rehab process for his hamate fracture in his left hand. Ramos had surgery and got the stitches taken out last Monday. He has begun an intensive strengthening regimen to build the left wrist and hand back to full strength. He has been on the disabled list since April 1 after feeling pain in his hand and wrist during opening day at-bats in New York. "Right now, starting working out with my hand," Ramos said. "My...

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Rendon's solo blast gives Nationals early advantage (Span update, Nats win 3-1)

April 18, 2014, 3:47pm

Nationals

Third baseman Anthony Rendon gave the Nationals their first lead and first run of the series with a solo homer in the third inning. Rendon went after the first pitch, a curveball, from Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha and launched it into the St. Louis bullpen, well over the wall in left-center. It was Rendon's third homer of the season and the Nationals lead 1-0. Nats left-hander Gio Gonzalez held St. Louis scoreless for the first three innings. The Cardinals got men on first and second...

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Gonzalez-Wacha matchup highlights Friday night affair

April 18, 2014, 12:44pm

Nationals

Gonzalez-Wacha matchup highlights Friday night affair

You don't need to look further than the mound to find the best reason to watch tonight's game between the Nationals at Cardinals. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez goes up against Cardinals phenom Michael Wacha, who pitches against the Nats for the first time since Ryan Zimmerman broke up his no-hit bid last September. Wacha, 22, is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA through three starts this season while Gonzalez is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA. For the Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon LF Bryce Harper RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam...

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Nats recall Cedeno, option Treinen to Triple-A

April 18, 2014, 11:00am

Nationals

Nats recall Cedeno, option Treinen to Triple-A

The Nationals made a roster move to freshen up the bullpen prior to tonight's game against the Cardinals. Left-hander Xavier Cedeno was called up from Triple-A Syracuse. To make room for Cedeno on the roster, the Nats optioned right-hander Blake Treinen to Syracuse. Cedeno was on a roll at Triple-A, having thrown 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, walking one and striking out four. Treinen made his major league debut earlier this month. He had three appearances with the Nats,...

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Addressing the poor record against the better teams

April 17, 2014, 10:22pm

Nationals

Addressing the poor record against the better teams

The numbers tell an interesting story. Dating back to the beginning of the 2013 season, the Nationals are 8-30 (a .211 winning percentage) against the Braves, Cardinals and Dodgers. Against everyone else, the Nats are 87-53 (a .621 winning percentage). Is it fair to question why the Nats struggle against the top teams in the National League but dominate the rest of the competition? "Of course," Ian Desmond said last night. "Of course." OK, so let's discuss it. While keeping in mind...

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Nationals recall left-hander Xavier Cedeno, option right-hander Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse

April 18, 2014, 10:58am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned right-hander Blake Treinen to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. In three appearances with Triple-A Syracuse this season, Cedeno has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings. Cedeno has allowed just one hit, walked one and struck out four while holding opponents to a .077 batting average. Acquired from the Astros in April of...

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Harper takes field with baseball legends

April 18, 2014, 7:48am

Nationals

Harper takes field with baseball legends

At just 21, Bryce Harper is one of the most well-known names in the baseball world. Loyal Nationals fans have come to expect hard-nosed play, extreme amounts of hustle and intense ferocity from the slugger. On the field, Harper has stood out and made himself into one of the most well-known players of this century. In Major League Baseball's latest "For the Love of Baseball" spot, Harper has been edited into old baseball footage, so it appears as if he's playing on the field alongside...

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Desmond: "I've been in some dark places defensively, and this is right there with them"

April 17, 2014, 7:20pm

Nationals

Desmond: "I've been in some dark places defensively, and this is right there with them"

Ian Desmond was waiting at his locker for reporters after tonight's 8-0 loss to the Cardinals, like he always is. Desmond went 1-for-4 with an infield single in tonight's game, struck out twice and made two errors, giving him seven on the season. That's the most in the majors. He could have hidden from the questions or deflected them, saying that it's still early in the season. But he didn't. The Nationals, as a whole, have struggled defensively this season, making 20 errors through 16...

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Williams and Jordan react after 8-0 loss to Cardinals

April 17, 2014, 7:13pm

Nationals

Williams and Jordan react after 8-0 loss to Cardinals

Manager Matt Williams declined to comment on what he told the Nationals following their 8-0 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night at Nationals Park. "I am not answering that question. That is for me and my team and no one else's business," Williams said. But Williams left no doubt as to his impressions of his team's sloppy play. The Nats committed four errors and now lead the National League with 20, managing only two hits in being shut out for the first time this season. "Regarding the...

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Williams updates Fister's simulated game and Harper's quad

April 17, 2014, 1:38pm

Nationals

Williams updates Fister's simulated game and Harper's quad

Manager Matt Williams had some positive news on the recovery of right-hander Doug Fister, who has been on the disabled list with a right lat strain since the beginning of the season Williams reported Fister tossed two innings and 28 pitches today in a simulated game in extended spring training in Viera, Fla. "Felt good about it," Williams said. "Reports are his second inning was better than his first inning, which is a good sign and so the plan is he will be on normal rest, five-day type...

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Rough start for Nats in opener vs. Cards (St. Louis wins 8-0)

April 17, 2014, 3:17pm

Nationals

Rough start for Nats in opener vs. Cards (St. Louis wins 8-0)

It's been a shaky start for the Nationals, who trail 3-0. Matt Carpenter reached first base in the top of the first when shortstop Ian Desmond bobbled a grounder right to him. Kolten Wong was safe with a single when Taylor Jordan could not get the ball out of his glove in time for the toss to first baseman Adam LaRoche. With two men on, Matt Holliday's RBI double made it 1-0. Matt Adams followed with a run-scoring grounder and Yadier Molina slapped a RBI single to left. Suddenly, it was 3-0...

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Williams and Espinosa respect Cardinals, but it's more about the Nats

April 17, 2014, 2:26pm

Nationals

Williams and Espinosa respect Cardinals, but it's more about the Nats

Nationals manager Matt Williams has respect for the Cardinals as they begin a four-game series at Nationals Park, with both teams at 9-6. They have a lot in common, with great starting pitching and timely hitting. But is Williams intimidated by playing them because the Nats' record early this season against better teams? Not necessarily. "They play the game really well," Williams said. "They do a lot of things really well. It starts with their rotation. They have got one of the best...

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Harper back in Nats lineup

April 17, 2014, 11:27am

Nationals

After being scratched about an hour before gametime Wednesday, Bryce Harper is back in the Nationals lineup tonight against the Cardinals. Harper missed the series finale at Miami because of quad tightness. He's back to batting second and playing left field. Third baseman Anthony Rendon is leading off and Nate McLouth is playing center field. Taylor Jordan is on the mound, looking to rebound from allowing five runs and 10 hits in five innings at Atlanta on Saturday. Adam Wainwright starts for...

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Some early notes and quotes

April 17, 2014, 12:39am

Nationals

There's one aspect of the major league schedule that you don't really think about until you're a part of it: the travel. The Nationals faced Jose Fernandez, one of the toughest pitchers in the majors, Wednesday night in Miami. They managed to come back from a three-run deficit and pick up a win, then headed out for the Miami airport after the game. The team plane landed in D.C. at 2 a.m., and buses didn't get back to the stadium until right around 3 a.m. By the time most players got settled...

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David Huzzard: Exploding the myth of the window of opportunity

April 17, 2014, 5:02am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Exploding the myth of the window of opportunity

Nationals fans have heard a lot about the window of opportunity lately, how it is only open for a limited amount of time and how they need to take advantage of the opportunity while they have it. The main focus of this window is on the core of the team, and who that core is or how many players it consists of could be up for some debate, but there is evidence that the window of opportunity is a lie. That evidence exists in the form of tonight's opponent, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals'...

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Walters delivers game's biggest hit against familiar foe

April 17, 2014, 3:36am

Nationals

Walters delivers game's biggest hit against familiar foe

Baseball is a small world. With apologies to Kevin Bacon, call it six degrees of separation on the diamond. Nationals pinch-hitter Zach Walters crushed a slider off of Marlins reliever Mike Dunn to give the Nats their first lead of Wednesday's game. The Nationals end up winning 6-3 after trailing 3-0. Dunn and Walters attended the same high school, Cimarron Memorial High School in Las Vegas. "All I got to say is I won't be invited to the Christmas party this year," Walters told MASN's Dan...

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Williams on comebacks: "It's a good thing. Not ideal, but good"

April 16, 2014, 7:05pm

Nationals

Williams on comebacks: "It's a good thing. Not ideal, but good"

The Nationals are now up to five comeback wins in 15 games, meaning more than half of their victories have come when the opponent scores first. The jury's out on whether that's the best way to build a winning record, but so far, it has the Nats coming home from a six-game road trip with a 9-6 mark. What exactly does it say about the Nats that they keep getting up after being knocked down? "Just that they fight. It's good that they fight," manager Matt Williams said after his team's 6-3...

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Updating Span's status, Fister's throwing schedule and more

April 16, 2014, 2:47pm

Nationals

Updating Span's status, Fister's throwing schedule and more

Denard Span, who was placed on the seven-day disabled list for concussions on Saturday, has returned to Washington ahead of the Nationals to be checked out by doctors and begin working his way back. Span had an appointment today and could potentially start a rehab assignment as early as Thursday. "If he passes his tests, which we expect him to do, he'll go out on a rehab assignment as early as tomorrow and get three at-bats and see how he feels after that," Nats manager Matt Williams said...