nationals

Williams: Starting second base job is up for grabs

February 16, 2014, 10:35am

VIERA, Fla. - Danny Espinosa said at NatsFest last month that he had been told by general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Matt Williams that he would have a chance this spring to - as he phrased it - win his starting second base job back. Today, Williams essentially confirmed that, saying that the Nationals will have an "open competition" for the second base job between Espinosa and Anthony Rendon this spring. "That's all you can say about it at this point," Williams said. "They haven't...

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Strasburg's focus this spring: holding runners (plus plenty more Strasburg quotes)

February 16, 2014, 12:47pm

Nationals

Strasburg's focus this spring: holding runners (plus plenty more Strasburg quotes)

VIERA, Fla. - Slowly over the last couple of years, one aspect of Stephen Strasburg's game has jumped out at him as an area that has to be improved. The numbers show it, and the results within games have made it plenty evident. Strasburg needs to get better at holding runners. The right-hander has only picked off one runner in his career, and of the 38 runners who have attempted to steal off Strasburg in his 75 big league games, 30 have been successful, a 72 percent success rate. Pitching...

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More from Williams on bullpen construction, Strasburg and Skole

February 16, 2014, 11:32am

Nationals

More from Williams on bullpen construction, Strasburg and Skole

VIERA, Fla. - The deeper we get into spring training, the more that we'll talk about roster construction scenarios with new Nationals manager Matt Williams. You don't want to spring too much on the guy right out of the gate, especially when he's still learning about his players and seeing many of them for the first time with his own eyes. But Williams did get a couple of questions today about the battle for spots in the bullpen, and while he didn't reveal much information, the Nats skipper...

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Cedeno hoping to build off strong finish to 2013, stellar winter ball effort

February 16, 2014, 5:09am

Nationals

Cedeno hoping to build off strong finish to 2013, stellar winter ball effort

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' workout schedule today will pretty much mirror the one that they had yesterday. They'll head out to the back fields around 10 a.m., get in some stretching, rotate through a few stations (bullpen sessions, pick-off practice, bunting drills and pitchers' fielding practice) and then likely wrap up sometime around noon. Those scheduled to throw bullpen sessions today: Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark, Ross Detwiler, Ryan Mattheus, Drew Storen,...

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The evaluation process has already begun

February 16, 2014, 2:24am

Nationals

The evaluation process has already begun

VIERA, Fla. - The first day of workouts is in the books. Matt Williams was probably able to sleep a little bit better last night now that things are under way and the first workout jitters are behind him. As of right now, the Nationals have a whopping 63 players set to eventually report to camp. That total includes right-hander Erik Davis, who is here but not working out for the next few weeks after being put on the 60-day disabled list Thursday with a right elbow strain. Unless I'm missing...

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Hearing from Williams after his first workout as Nationals manager

February 15, 2014, 10:58am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Matt Williams admits he had a little trouble sleeping last night ahead of his first workout as Nationals manager. Williams got out of bed early and made his way to the Nats' spring facility by 5 a.m. He got in a workout, then went over to the minor league facility at 5:45 to mess around with one of the minor league coaches. Even though he had already gone over today's schedule dozens of times - he joked that yesterday's mental run-though of the schedule marked the 5,000th...

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Williams on Harper's health, Livo's role and the idea behind the daily quotes

February 15, 2014, 11:33am

Nationals

Williams on Harper's health, Livo's role and the idea behind the daily quotes

VIERA, Fla. - Back at NatsFest in late January, Bryce Harper expressed some doubt that he'd be at full strength when spring training begins, this after he underwent surgery in October to debride and repair the bursa sac in his left knee. "Trying to get back to full strength and we'll see where I can get by spring training," Harper said at the time. "See if I can go through spring training and get to 100 percent by the time the season starts. See where I'm at." Today, Nationals manager...

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First workout is in the books

February 15, 2014, 8:34am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - While we've talked a lot about how intense Matt Williams was as a player and how regimented and focused his spring training workouts will likely be, today's workout for pitchers and catchers - Williams' first as Nats skipper - seemed pretty laid back and quiet. That doesn't mean it wasn't tightly run, however. Groups of pitchers quickly rotated through stations where they threw bullpen sessions, worked on their bunting, practiced pickoff moves and did some pitchers'...

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The many sides of Doug Fister

February 14, 2014, 6:04pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - You can learn a learn a lot about Doug Fister in 12 minutes if you ask the right questions. And in that 12 minutes, it's easy to see Fister as more than just the Nationals' newest addition to their starting rotation, a guy with a career 3.53 ERA and lauded by many as one of the more underrated starters in the majors. You can learn that Fister is an avid runner, sometimes strapping up the shoes and running 10 miles at a time in between starts. He's been running since he was a...

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Garcia ready to move on from "miserable" 2013, plus notes before first workout

February 15, 2014, 4:23am

Nationals

Garcia ready to move on from "miserable" 2013, plus notes before first workout

VIERA, Fla. - Today is the first official day of workouts here at Nationals camp, with players taking the field at around 10 a.m. to begin stretching. Doug Fister, Gio Gonzalez, Chris Young, Taylor Jordan, Ross Ohlendorf and new signee Josh Roenicke will throw bullpen sessions today. A big group of players were crowding around the lone clubhouse TV this morning, watching the U.S.-Russia Olympic hockey game. Ross Detwiler (a huge hockey fan) and Tyler Clippard were sitting front and center,...

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Davis updates his injury, plus more from Lobaton

February 14, 2014, 10:09am

Nationals

Davis updates his injury, plus more from Lobaton

VIERA, Fla. - Erik Davis had been having what he felt like was a "great" offseason. He was full-go, pretty much ready for spring training and throwing to hitters back home a week before he was set to report to camp. Then, when letting go of a changeup about 50 pitches into that throwing session, Davis felt something in his right elbow. He threw another pitch, a fastball, and while the pitch came out with good velocity and good control, he felt the discomfort in his elbow again. It was only...

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Nats sign reliever Josh Roenicke to minor league deal

February 14, 2014, 7:56am

Nationals

Nats sign reliever Josh Roenicke to minor league deal

VIERA, Fla. - Spring training will have a bit of a family feel for Ian Desmond this year. The Nationals just signed his brother-in-law to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league spring training. Right-handed reliever Josh Roenicke, who is married to Desmond's sister, agreed to terms with the Nats today. The 31-year-old spent last season with the Twins, posting a 4.35 ERA in 63 games. He struck out 6.5 batters per nine innings last season and walked 5.2 per nine, and pitched...

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Weekly Wrap: Back to Viera

February 14, 2014, 9:44am

Nationals

Guess what? Baseball's back! If you live in the D.C. region (or pretty much anywhere on the East Coast,) your mind may be on snow and ice versus summer nights and baseball. However, as we're stuck in the cold weather, the Nationals (and our Dan Kolko) are soaking up the spring training weather. Before spring training started, Tyler Clippard and the Nationals reached an agreement, avoiding arbitration. In addition, MASN announced that it picked up a the Nats' exhibition game against the...

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Detwiler's belt may cause cancer, Lobaton getting settled (plus other notes)

February 14, 2014, 7:38am

Nationals

Detwiler's belt may cause cancer, Lobaton getting settled (plus other notes)

VIERA, Fla. - For a lengthy period this morning, the Nationals clubhouse here at Space Coast Stadium was nearly completely empty, with the exception of six reporters standing around waiting for something, anything, to happen. Pitchers and catchers were out getting their physicals at an off-site location. A few coaches were on the back fields with some minor leaguers. The only team employee in sight, pretty much, was clubhouse manager Mike Wallace, who with the help of his crew was prepping...

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Clippard talks contract, is sorry to see Jeter go

February 14, 2014, 9:13am

Nationals

Clippard talks contract, is sorry to see Jeter go

VIERA, Fla. - It was just four days ago that Tyler Clippard and the Nationals finally agreed to terms on a contract for 2014 after weeks of negotiations, a deal that will pay the right-handed reliever $5.875 million this season and avoid the need for arbitration. Today, on his 29th birthday, Clippard strolled into the Nationals clubhouse, pleased to have the process done with and a set contract on paper before spring training gets going. "I'm happy, man. I was glad it got done," Clippard...

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After another rehab-oriented offseason, Jordan ready to battle for starting spot

February 14, 2014, 2:30am

Nationals

After another rehab-oriented offseason, Jordan ready to battle for starting spot

VIERA, Fla. - It might have taken most of the day yesterday for all of the Nationals' pitchers and catchers to arrive at camp, but everyone made it in on the report day, according to a team official. That includes closer Rafael Soriano, who reported to camp late last year because of a visa issue, and right-hander Doug Fister, whose flight to Florida was delayed because of the snowstorm that's affecting a large part of the country. Everyone is now apparently on board and ready to go. Today...

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Jersey numbers, facial hair updates and more Ramos quotes

February 13, 2014, 10:50am

Nationals

Jersey numbers, facial hair updates and more Ramos quotes

VIERA, Fla. - For those of you who are interested in keeping up with the jersey numbers of the new Nationals - and I know you people are out there - I have updates for you. Outfielder Nate McLouth, who signed a two-year deal this offseason, will wear No. 15, which was worn by Dan Haren last season. Right-hander Doug Fister, acquired in a December trade with the Tigers, will wear No. 58. And Jerry Blevins, the left-handed reliever the Nats got in a trade with the A's, will wear No....

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Let It snow: Fans show Natitude in the snowstorm

February 13, 2014, 4:46pm

Nationals

Let It snow: Fans show Natitude in the snowstorm

Is this the longest winter ever? I'm going to go with yes. Even though the snow is absolutely beautiful, I am ready for warm weather and baseball at Nats Park. While I was longing for summer nights, some Nationals fans were out in the snow, dreaming up and creating Nats-themed snowmen. If you created an Nats-themed snowman, be sure to tweet or Instagram it with the hashtag #masnNationals. Enjoy the pictures below. Which one's your favorite? Via @TheMightyMoM on Twitter Via...

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Lobaton deal official, Erik Davis to 60-day DL (with Rizzo quotes)

February 13, 2014, 9:03am

Nationals

Lobaton deal official, Erik Davis to 60-day DL (with Rizzo quotes)

VIERA, Fla. - The Jose Lobaton trade is finally official. In addition to the Nationals acquiring Lobaton from the Rays to presumably serve as their backup catcher, they also receive two 22-year-old minor leaguers - left-hander Felipe Rivero and outfielder Drew Vettleson. Right-hander Nathan Karns is the only player going from the Nats to Tampa Bay. As I mentioned earlier, Lobaton hit .249/.320/.394 in a career-high 100 games last season with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 32 RBIs. The...

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Taking a look at the Nats' NL East rivals at outset of spring training

February 13, 2014, 5:50am

Nationals

Taking a look at the Nats' NL East rivals at outset of spring training

As spring training opens, the Nationals are the closest team to having a perfect roster. Over the winter, the Nationals added Doug Fister to the rotation, lefty Jerry Blevins to the bullpen and Nate McLouth to the bench. Today, they acquired backup catcher Jose Lobaton from the Rays. Their rotation is deep. Their lineup is set. The bullpen is strong. Even though the Nationals finished 10 games behind the Braves last season, they're going to be the favored team in the National League East this...