nationals

As two-time Tommy John patient, Garcia feels Medlen's pain

March 12, 2014, 9:37am

VIERA, Fla. - Christian Garcia knows what Kris Medlen is going through right now. He knows the disappointment. He knows the frustration. He knows the doubts that might be swirling through Medlen's mind as he wonders if he'll ever pitch at a high level again. Four days ago, Medlen - a talented 28-year-old right-hander with the Braves who won 15 games last year - threw a pitch to Mets first baseman Matt Clark and immediately walked off the mound toward the Atlanta dugout. Medlen, who...

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Desmond update plus replay reactions after Nats' 10-9 loss

March 12, 2014, 2:49pm

Nationals

Desmond update plus replay reactions after Nats' 10-9 loss

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ian Desmond was scratched from today's game against the Astros due to a cut on the pinky finger of his throwing hand, manager Matt Williams said after the Nationals' 10-9 loss to Houston. Fielding grounders during batting practice, Desmond had a ball hop up on him, and the finger split open. The shortstop was taken out of the starting lineup, and was replaced by Jamey Carroll. "He's fine, but we just decided to hold him out today and not push it," Williams said of...

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We get our first replay review (Nats lose 10-9)

March 12, 2014, 12:30pm

Nationals

We get our first replay review (Nats lose 10-9)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Astros 10 Nationals 9 Recap: Tanner Roark threw 3 1/3 innings, throwing 62 pitches (37 for strikes). He allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning. It was McLouth's first home run of the spring. The Astros scored three runs in the ninth off of Xavier Cedeno. Need to know: Replay was used twice during the game. Nationals manager Matt Williams unsuccessfully challenged a close play at...

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Updates on Fister, Zimmerman, Solis and more (we're in a rain delay)

March 12, 2014, 7:58am

Nationals

Updates on Fister, Zimmerman, Solis and more (we're in a rain delay)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Not only did Doug Fister come through yesterday's throwing session without any incident, the Nationals right-hander felt good enough that the team is having him throw off of flat ground again today, manager Matt Williams said. Fister felt discomfort in his right elbow after his spring training debut against the Marlins on March 2, and an MRI revealed that the veteran righty had inflammation in the elbow. After being shut down and getting treatment on the elbow for a week,...

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Desmond scratched, plus game update (Nats lead 9-4)

March 12, 2014, 11:54am

Nationals

Desmond scratched, plus game update (Nats lead 9-4)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ian Desmond was scheduled to start at shortstop and hit third in today's lineup against the Astros, but when the game began, Jamey Carroll was the third Nationals hitter into the batter's box. Desmond has been scratched from the lineup today, with Carroll taking over as the Nats' shortstop to begin the game. No word from the Nationals yet as to why Desmond was a late scratch. He did make the trip here to Kissimmee, so it must've been something that came up shortly before...

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Nats option lefty Rivero, reassign righty Cole to minor league camp (with lineups)

March 12, 2014, 5:49am

Nationals

Nats option lefty Rivero, reassign righty Cole to minor league camp (with lineups)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Nationals made two more cuts this morning, optioning left-hander Felipe Rivero to Double-A Harrisburg and reassigning right-hander A.J. Cole to minor league camp. Rivero, the 22-year-old acquired with catcher Jose Lobaton from Tampa Bay, made three spring appearances, allowing two runs in four innings for a 4.50 ERA. Rivero struck out none and walked none. General manager Mike Rizzo raved about Rivero's potential after completing the deal with the Rays, and the lanky...

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Nationals Chatter: Rendon spotlight, Williams' lineup, autographed Harper gear

March 11, 2014, 9:33am

Nationals

Spring is in the air. Everywhere I look around. Just ignore that chance of snow in the forecast. You may have missed what some other media outlets are saying about the Nationals. Don't worry, I have you covered. * Infielders Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa are competing to win the starting job at second base. CBS St Louis' Rich Arleo is taking the time to profile one young player from each of the 30 major league clubs. Arleo's pick for the Nats is Rendon. Arleo believes the second...

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Our first look at instant replay

March 12, 2014, 3:37am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - In a couple of hours, I'll be making the trip over to Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, spring home of the Astros. It was in that stadium last year when the Astros' mascot walked right up to the front of the press box, stood directly in front of me, tapped on the glass and creepily started waving at me. Talk about nightmare city. That's the type of image that will haunt your dreams, right there. Fourteen games into spring training, the Nationals finally will get their...

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Fister comes through throwing session OK, still in line for opening day rotation

March 11, 2014, 12:29pm

Nationals

Fister comes through throwing session OK, still in line for opening day rotation

VIERA, Fla. - After sitting out the last week and a half with inflammation in his right elbow, Nationals right-hander Doug Fister played catch today off flat ground, and came through the session OK, according to manager Matt Williams. This was the first time Fister had thrown since feeling discomfort in his elbow after his spring debut on March 2. An MRI revealed that Fister was dealing with inflammation in the elbow, and the Nats have been treating the issue with anti-inflammatories, ice...

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Zimmermann perfect in four innings of work (Nats win 3-2)

March 11, 2014, 10:27am

Nationals

Zimmermann perfect in four innings of work (Nats win 3-2)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 3, Yankees 2 Recap: Anthony Rendon scored a run in the first and then drove in two in the second with a double into the left field corner. Jordan Zimmmermann retired all 12 batters he faced and the Nats held on for the one-run win. Need to know: Zimmermann has now thrown nine scoreless innings this spring, allowing just three hits and one walk and striking out nine. On deck: Wednesday, (ss) at Braves, 1:05 p.m.; (ss) at Astros, 1:05 p.m. VIERA, Fla. -...

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Hearing from Zimmermann and Williams after Nats' 3-2 win

March 11, 2014, 1:01pm

Nationals

Hearing from Zimmermann and Williams after Nats' 3-2 win

VIERA, Fla. - It was a quiet 3-2 ballgame this afternoon, with just nine total hits put up by the Nationals and Yankees. Jordan Zimmermann had a good bit to do with the limited number of baserunners, at least when it came to the Yankees' offensive attack. Zimmermann worked four perfect innings today, going 12-up, 12-down. He struck out four and threw 54 pitches on the afternoon, 37 for strikes. "It went pretty well," Zimmermann said. "First couple innings, I didn't get ahead of the guys...

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Fister to throw Tuesday (with Ohlendorf, Mattheus, M. Gonzalez updates)

March 10, 2014, 1:10pm

Nationals

Fister to throw Tuesday (with Ohlendorf, Mattheus, M. Gonzalez updates)

VIERA, Fla. - Manager Matt Williams said this afternoon that right-hander Doug Fister, who has been sidelined since his first spring training appearance last Sunday with inflammation in his right elbow, is progressing and will throw off flat ground tomorrow. The Nationals have been taking a cautious approach with Fister, treating the elbow issue with anti-inflammatories and ice, and Williams said that enough of the inflammation has cleared that Fister can get back to playing catch...

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Williams confident in Soriano despite slow start, Mattheus returns to the mound

March 11, 2014, 8:10am

Nationals

Williams confident in Soriano despite slow start, Mattheus returns to the mound

VIERA, Fla. - Rafael Soriano's numbers this spring aren't pretty. The Nationals closer has made two Grapefruit League appearances so far, each an inning long. In those two innings of work, Soriano has allowed seven runs on eight hits. He's struck out three and walked none, but the right-hander's location hasn't been good, and it's led to poor results. Statistics only mean so much in spring training, but it's hard to ignore the level to which Soriano has been hit around early on. The...

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On Cedeno and his work against righties this spring

March 11, 2014, 4:16am

Nationals

On Cedeno and his work against righties this spring

VIERA, Fla. - Last night was an exciting one for me, and it had nothing to do with the Nationals. As a University of Delaware alum, I'm thrilled that my school will be making an appearance in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years. My Fightin' Blue Hens (yes, that's our mascot) won their conference tournament last night, and so my favorite sporting event of the year will feature my favorite school. I know none of you care. Just let me have my moment. The Yankees make the...

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Nats, Yankees lineups (game airing live on MASN at 1 p.m.)

March 11, 2014, 5:38am

Nationals

Nats, Yankees lineups (game airing live on MASN at 1 p.m.)

VIERA, Fla. - Denard Span, Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche were among the Nationals' starters last night when they hosted the Astros. All four of those guys are out of manager Matt Williams' lineup today. We'll get a new host of starting position players in this afternoon's lineup against the Yankees - Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth, Ian Desmond and Wilson Ramos. Rendon will slide over and play third base this afternoon, and Danny Espinosa will start at second. Nate McLouth...

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MASNsports.com welcomes Nationals guest bloggers for 2014 season

March 06, 2014, 6:34am

Nationals

When the Nationals open their 2014 season at Citi Field in Flushing, N.Y., on Monday, March 31, MASNsports.com will kick off another season of contributions from guest bloggers on our site. The Nationals blogosphere is one of the most active in the major leagues, offering fans with Natitude the opportunity to read interesting takes on all things curly and W. This strong community was one of the reasons MASNsports.com initiated the introduction of guest bloggers in 2011, and the partnership...

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Williams on G. Gonzalez, Soriano, Walters, Souza and more after 7-4 loss

March 10, 2014, 5:51pm

Nationals

Williams on G. Gonzalez, Soriano, Walters, Souza and more after 7-4 loss

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals dropped tonight's game to the Astros 7-4, with Gio Gonzalez allowing two runs over two innings, Rafael Soriano surrendering five runs and Steven Souza Jr. homering for the Nats. Here are manager Matt Williams' thoughts on tonight's ballgame: On what went wrong for Gonzalez after striking out the first five hitters he faced tonight: "Nothing. He was just pounding the zone. I thought he threw really well. Fastballs in to the right-handers. He just left one out...

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For G. Gonzalez, a dominant first five hitters, then a shaky finish (Nats lose 7-4)

March 10, 2014, 2:55pm

Nationals

For G. Gonzalez, a dominant first five hitters, then a shaky finish (Nats lose 7-4)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Astros 7, Nationals 4 Recap: Rafael Soriano allowed five runs in just 2/3 of an inning of work, as the Astros broke the game open in the sixth. Need to know: Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs over two up-and-down innings, Blake Treinen threw three scoreless and Tyler Clippard allowed two hits in his inning of work, but also struck out the side. On deck: Tuesday, home vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m., on MASN VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez's second outing of spring couldn't...

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Nats, Astros lineups plus pitching schedules

March 10, 2014, 11:18am

Nationals

Nats, Astros lineups plus pitching schedules

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have posted their pitching schedule through Wednesday's split-squad games, both of which are on the road. Tanner Roark will get the start for the Nats in their game in Kissimmee against the Astros. He'll be followed by righties Craig Stammen and Tyler Clippard, and left-handers Xavier Cedeno and Jerry Blevins. In the other half of the Wednesday split-squad (played in Lake Buena Vista against the Braves), Chris Young will get the start, with Danny Rosenbaum, Clay...

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Talking shifts with new Nats defensive coordinator Mark Weidemaier

March 10, 2014, 5:01am

Nationals

Talking shifts with new Nats defensive coordinator Mark Weidemaier

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have their first home night game of spring tonight, as they host the Astros in a game that will get under way at 6 p.m. This means the typical morning schedule has been pushed back a little bit and players won't be reporting to Space Coast Stadium until mid-afternoon. This also means that reporters don't need to be at the facility until mid-afternoon. Needless to say, I'm not too upset about this schedule. If you've been here in Viera and have gotten a chance...