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Karns discusses the trade, Ramos discusses Lobaton

February 13, 2014, 7:15am

VIERA, Fla. - One day into spring training, we have our first trade. Not much time wasted there. Mike Rizzo found who he surely expects to be the Nationals' backup catcher this morning, completing a trade with the Rays that sends right-hander Nathan Karns to Tampa Bay in exchange for catcher Jose Lobaton. The teams have not yet announced the trade, but the deal is expected to be made official later today. Karns had just arrived to the Nats' facilities here in Viera this morning when Rizzo...

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Nationals deal Karns to Tampa Bay for Lobaton

February 13, 2014, 5:17am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Earlier this morning, Nationals right-hander Nathan Karns discussed the possibility of being traded. Now the rumors have come to fruition. Karns just finished meeting with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who informed him that he'd been dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays. So instead of reacquainting himself with teammates in the only organization he's ever known, Karns is now packing his gear and stuffing belongings into a giant trash bag. He'll soon be traveling across Florida...

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A hodgepodge of morning notes and quotes

February 13, 2014, 2:21am

Nationals

A hodgepodge of morning notes and quotes

VIERA, Fla. - As I start to get moving this morning on my first full day in Florida, I'd just like to wish everyone well back up north as you deal with this massive snowstorm that's coming through the mid-Atlantic region. Stay safe, everyone. Hopefully everyone's power remains on throughout the day, and I hope to have plenty of notes and updates from down here to keep you satiated on the baseball front. Today is the report date for all Nationals pitchers and catchers, but that doesn't...

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Happy spring training: Enter to win a signed Drew Storen baseball

February 12, 2014, 11:49am

Nationals

Happy spring training: Enter to win a signed Drew Storen baseball

Pitchers and catchers report today, meaning baseball is back! We know that you're excited to watch a strengthened Nationals roster take the field in Viera Fla., and - in less than two months - in D.C. While we wait, we're giving our social media fans a chance to win a signed Drew Storen baseball. You can enter below. When prompted, be sure to share this giveaway on Facebook and Twitter for additional entries. Good luck, Nats fans! (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs =...

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Karns reacts to recent trade rumors

February 13, 2014, 4:57am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Nathan Karns was having a relaxing dinner with fellow right-hander Aaron Barrett last night, mentally preparing for the first official day of spring training for Nationals pitchers and catchers today. Then Karns got a call from his agent telling him that his name was being tossed out in trade rumors involving Rays catcher Jose Lobaton. How about that for a bit of pre-camp news? "My mom calls me and goes, 'Is it true?' " Karns said today. "I was like, 'I have no idea, I...

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Report: Nats and Rays discussing Lobaton-for-Karns trade

February 12, 2014, 12:24pm

Nationals

Report: Nats and Rays discussing Lobaton-for-Karns trade

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have been interested in Rays catcher Jose Lobaton for a little while now. A report late this afternoon tosses out right-hander Nathan Karns as a guy who might be able to help the Nats land Lobaton in a deal with Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that the Nats and Rays are talking about a Lobaton trade, with Karns serving as part of Tampa Bay's potential return for the 29-year-old catcher. Other players could be involved in the trade, according to the...

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MASN unveils 2014 Nationals broadcast schedule

February 12, 2014, 7:35am

Nationals

MASN announced its broadcast schedule for the 2014 Nationals season this afternoon. The television home of the Nats will air 157 of 162 games this season with 97 appearing live on MASN and MASN HD, and 63 on MASN2 and MASN2 HD. Five games are scheduled to be aired on national networks in 2014. MASN will broadcast Washington's March 31 season opener against the New York Mets from Flushing, N.Y., as well as interleague series against the Orioles (July 7-8 and July 9-10) and the AL West -...

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Back with the Nats, Ayala ready to battle for a bullpen spot

February 12, 2014, 9:01am

Nationals

Back with the Nats, Ayala ready to battle for a bullpen spot

VIERA, Fla. - Hello from the press box at Space Coast Stadium on a beautiful sunny, 79-degree day in Viera, Fla. I'm not rubbing it in, I swear. Just updating everyone on the current climate here on the east coast of Florida. (OK, I'm rubbing it in a little bit. Sorry about that.) The Nationals' spring facilities are very much the way I remember them from the last two seasons. Minor changes have been made here and there - for one, there's a new plaque with the Nationals logo and the words...

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Nationals Chatter: Williams profile, Fister compares rotations, Johnson to meet family friend

February 11, 2014, 7:12am

Nationals

"Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love you tomorrow!" Excuse my willingness to quote the musical "Annie," but baseball will be back tomorrow. Nationals pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training tomorrow. Baseball is back. Here are a few stories involving the Nationals over the last few days. * USA TODAY's Paul White wrote an in-depth feature on how new technological analytics have changed the relationship between managers and general managers. Because of the new analytics,...

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Flying down to Florida

February 12, 2014, 1:54am

Nationals

I've never been anywhere close to what you would consider a morning person, but I snapped out of bed at 4:45 this morning, terrified that despite spending a couple of hours packing for spring training yesterday, I had forgotten something crucial to my trip. The time last season that I took a cab all the way to the airport for a flight to Atlanta only to realize I'd left my entire laptop bag back at home seems to have left lingering traumatic effects. I'm off to Florida today, taking an 8...

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MASN announces 2014 Nationals broadcast schedule

February 12, 2014, 7:18am

Nationals

MASN, the television home of the Washington Nationals, today announced its Major League Baseball schedule for the 2014 season. Once again, all Nationals games broadcast by MASN will be available in crystal-clear high definition, including the March 31 season opener against the New York Mets in Flushing, N.Y. Other highlights of MASN's 2014 Nationals schedule include interleague series against the Baltimore Orioles (July 7-8 and July 9-10), and the Los Angeles Angels (April 21-23), Houston...

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Nats agree to terms with Tyler Clippard, avoiding arbitration

February 10, 2014, 7:51am

Nationals

Nats agree to terms with Tyler Clippard, avoiding arbitration

The Nationals announced today that they have agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard on a deal for the 2014 season, avoiding arbitration. Clippard will make $5.875 million this season, according to CBSSports.com. Clippard had asked for $6.35 million, while the Nats had countered at $4.45 million, meaning that the two sides agreed to a deal nearly half a million above the midpoint between the two offers. In 2013, his second year of arbitration, Clippard made $4 million. He...

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My spring training dark horse for the Nationals (with broadcast note)

February 11, 2014, 4:04am

Nationals

If you were watching the Olympics yesterday and had to do a quick double take because you thought you saw Jayson Werth competing in the men's moguls competition, well, you weren't alone. Turns out, Swedish freestyle skier Per Spett looks a good bit like Werth when he's got his skiing gear strapped on. And that led to some Nationals fans doing some quick Photoshop work, as you can see in this image on Nats Enquirer. The two men have similarly strong beards, but that might be where the...

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#FeelGoodFriday: MASN showcasing inspiring sports stories

February 11, 2014, 7:50am

Nationals

#FeelGoodFriday: MASN showcasing inspiring sports stories

There are so many reasons why I love sports. Growing up, playing sports was such an amazing experience, teaching me the meaning of teamwork and bringing me so many friends. Then, as I grew out of playing sports every day, I realized how strong of an impact watching sports can have on a person's life. While athletes' drive, determination and talent are inspirational on their own, often the most uplifting stories come from off the field. From personal experience and from my time around...

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MASN adds March 29 home exhibition game to spring training broadcast schedule

February 10, 2014, 9:32am

Nationals

MASN adds March 29 home exhibition game to spring training broadcast schedule

MASN has added the Nationals' March 29 home exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers to its spring training broadcast schedule, bringing to seven the number of spring training games that will be broadcast on MASN HD. The Tigers come to Nationals Park for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday, March 29, the Nats' last game before their March 31 season opener against the Mets at Citi Field in Flusing, N.Y. The Tigers-Nationals game will be rebroadcast at 7 p.m. that evening. With the additional game,...

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Expectations abound again

February 09, 2014, 4:33am

Nationals

It's not too difficult to remember how we all felt this time last year. Nationals fans expected a stellar season following the team's division title in 2012. I expected the Nats to win over 100 games. Davey Johnson, well, he had such high expectations that he entered the season thinking, "World Series or bust." Things will probably be a little different this year, after the Nats delivered a surprisingly low 86 wins in 2013 and failed to make the postseason. Nats fans will likely be more...

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What areas of the roster could still use some work?

February 10, 2014, 4:14am

Nationals

What areas of the roster could still use some work?

In less than 48 hours, I'll be on a flight headed for Orlando, ready to leave behind this brutal weather and kick off spring training 2014. Word on the street is that the D.C. area is supposed to get more snow later this week. Guess I'll miss out on that. What awful luck. (Is my sarcasm coming through clearly enough?) Nationals pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to camp by Thursday, Feb. 13, but I'll be getting down there a day early in order to get settled and check in with the...

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On the Burnett-to-D.C. rumors, plus Kimball note

February 08, 2014, 4:23am

Nationals

On the Burnett-to-D.C. rumors, plus Kimball note

A couple of weeks ago, A.J. Burnett wasn't sure whether he wanted to pitch in 2014. Now, Burnett's decision on what uniform he'll be wearing this upcoming season has become one of the main storylines remaining as we work up toward spring training. And the Nationals are being mentioned as one potential landing spot for the 37-year-old right-hander. Burnett, who posted a 3.30 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 191 innings for the Pirates last season, has reportedly drawn interest from a few teams...

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Nats sign Luis Ayala to minor league deal

February 07, 2014, 7:19am

Nationals

Nats sign Luis Ayala to minor league deal

Remember that list of players that the Nationals will have as part of their spring training roster? We can add another name to it. The Nationals have signed right-handed reliever Luis Ayala to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training, a source confirmed late this morning. Ayala, 36, spent the 2013 season with the Orioles and Braves, posting a 3.27 ERA in 39 games. He struck out 22 and walked 13 over 33 innings of work. This marks Ayala's second stint with the...

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A look at the Nats' spring training roster

February 07, 2014, 4:15am

Nationals

A look at the Nats' spring training roster

We're now less than a week away from the official start of Nationals spring training. Six days from now, the home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium will be swarming with pitchers and catchers, as Feb. 13 is the deadline for battery members to report to camp, with their first official workout scheduled for Feb. 15. Position players will report by Feb. 18, the first full-team workout will be Feb. 20, and the first Grapefruit League game will be on Feb. 28 at Port St. Lucie against the...