nationals

Draft always a big event for the Nationals (updated)

June 06, 2013, 9:30am

How important is the draft to the makeup and success of a major league team? The Nationals are the best current example. Being able to draft No. 1 overall two years in a row to get pitcher Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper completely altered the outlook for the Nationals. Even with his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Strasburg was a difference-maker in 2012. Harper was named NL Rookie of the Year and made a huge splash last season. They were major players in the Nationals'...

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Strasburg officially to DL, Cedeno called up from Triple-A (with lineups)

June 06, 2013, 11:27am

Nationals

Strasburg officially to DL, Cedeno called up from Triple-A (with lineups)

The Nationals have officially placed Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list this afternoon, retroactive to June 1, because of a strained right lat. That puts both of the Nats' star No. 1 picks, Bryce Harper and Strasburg, on the DL at the same time. To take Strasburg's place on the roster, the Nats have recalled left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno from Triple-A Syracuse. This will be Cedeno's second stint with the Nats, but he did not appear in a game during his previous one day with...

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Nationals and Baseball Tomorrow Fund inspiring baseball's next generation

June 06, 2013, 11:59am

Nationals

Although my baseball-playing days began and ended at a young age, I'll never forget the time my parents handed me my first glove and T-ball bat. While I never lit up the infield or threw a no-no, I'm certain that the beginning of my baseball enthusiasm began the first time I tried on my glove. Whether it's someone like me or a major league player like Ryan Zimmerman, there was a point at which we were both introduced to the game. And now, the Nationals are giving you the chance to inspire...

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A deeper look into the offensive offense

June 05, 2013, 11:51pm

Nationals

A deeper look into the offensive offense

The Nationals have certainly faced their share of tough pitchers this season. They got beat by Johnny Cueto, who had a 2.17 ERA prior to landing on the DL. They suffered losses at the hands of Adam Wainwright and Shelby Miller, two insanely talented Cardinals hurlers. Mets righty Matt Harvey pushed the Nats around in New York, and they got dominated by Clayton Kershaw out in Los Angeles. No shame in that. Plenty of teams have been there. But what's a bit troubling so far this season - in...

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Rachel Levitin: Lacking consistency, Nats must hope shakeup helps fix team

June 06, 2013, 4:47am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Lacking consistency, Nats must hope shakeup helps fix team

A common saying among the Nationals' players and coaches this season is, "We're better than this." My question in retort is, "But, are you really?" Let's be frank here - this conversation has been running in circles for weeks now. Despite the thrilling victory on opening day in which Stephen Strasburg pitched a gem and Bryce Harper came up big at the plate, wins have been rare and cries lamenting that the team hasn't been meeting its potential are aplenty. Sure, the successful 2012...

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Dan Haren: "I'm just not getting the job done"

June 05, 2013, 7:26pm

Nationals

Dan Haren: "I'm just not getting the job done"

Regardless of how he performs, whether he's thrown seven scoreless innings or gotten lit up by the opposition, Dan Haren will always stand up after a game and give a brutally honest assessment of his start. Unfortunately for Haren, he's had as many rough outings to assess this season as he's had stellar ones. Haren went just four innings in tonight's 10-1 Nationals loss to the Mets, allowing five runs on seven hits. Three of those seven hits were home runs. In his 12 outings this season,...

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Hearing from Johnson and Span after Nats' 10-1 loss

June 05, 2013, 8:03pm

Nationals

Hearing from Johnson and Span after Nats' 10-1 loss

What can you really say after being on the receiving end of a 10-1 spanking at the hands of the Mets, who are 10 games under .500 after tonight's game? "We'll just turn the page on this one," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "We swung the bats better, but we didn't hit with runners in scoring position." No, they didn't. The Nats put up 10 hits tonight, but went just 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base. In the Nats' last 15 games, they've scored three...

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Home run derby off Haren (Nats fall into third place with 10-1 loss)

June 05, 2013, 4:19pm

Nationals

Home run derby off Haren (Nats fall into third place with 10-1 loss)

Dan Haren entered tonight having allowed 12 home runs this season, tying him for the seventh-most surrendered by any pitcher in the majors. After three innings of work, Haren now finds himself tied for the big league lead in homers allowed. The veteran right-hander has served up three longballs in as many innings tonight, including two to former National Marlon Byrd, and the Nats trail the Mets 5-1. At this point in his career, Haren lives and dies by his command. Working in the upper-80s to...

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Krol on major league debut: "I didn't take a breath until the seventh inning"

June 05, 2013, 7:26pm

Nationals

Krol on major league debut: "I didn't take a breath until the seventh inning"

One highlight in a 10-1 loss to the Mets was the major league debut for left-handed reliever Ian Krol. After allowing a double to lead off the sixth inning, Krol struck out the side. The three hitters he struck out? Daniel Murphy, David Wright and Lucas Duda - the heart of the Mets order. The three combined for five hits, five runs, two doubles and a home run in the game. Just not against Krol. "I was just trying to go out there and throw strikes," Krol said. "A little different with the...

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Nats to place Strasburg on DL, Detwiler progressing (updated)

June 05, 2013, 1:08pm

Nationals

Nats to place Strasburg on DL, Detwiler progressing (updated)

The list of Nationals to hit the disabled list is growing. Stephen Strasburg will be placed on the DL with a strained lat muscle, Nats manager Davey Johnson said today. Strasburg had originally been scheduled to throw a bullpen session today, but those plans were scrapped. Strasburg merely played catch, but he didn't feel completely right, so the Nats will shut him down for now and place him on the DL retroactive to June 1. "He was examined by a doctor and there's still some tenderness...

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Updates on Ramos and Mattheus, plus reactions to latest in Biogenesis case

June 05, 2013, 2:47pm

Nationals

Updates on Ramos and Mattheus, plus reactions to latest in Biogenesis case

Amid all the negative injury news coming out involving Nationals players lately, there are some positive updates to pass along, as well. Wilson Ramos told me today he will head down to the Nats' minor league complex in Viera, Fla., tonight to continue his rehab as he works back from a left hamstring strain. Ramos will spend around a week in Viera, where he'll take part in a host of baseball activities, including running, hitting and blocking pitches behind home plate. Ramos could take part...

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Report: Suspension unlikely for Gonzalez in Biogenesis scandal (game update)

June 04, 2013, 4:28pm

Nationals

Report: Suspension unlikely for Gonzalez in Biogenesis scandal (game update)

Dating back to the very early stages of spring training this year, the Nationals have said - both on and off the record - that they had confidence that Gio Gonzalez wasn't going to be disciplined by Major League Baseball for his involvement with Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic in the Miami area that allegedly distributed performance-enhancing drugs to players. ESPN is reporting tonight that MLB has gotten the cooperation of Tony Bosch, the founder of Biogenesis, and that the league office...

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A rough start to the day, but an uplifting finish

June 04, 2013, 7:21pm

Nationals

A rough start to the day, but an uplifting finish

All season, the Nationals have been searching for a spark, a big play, a dramatic win to turn the momentum and get things rolling downhill. Tonight, hours after they learned that three members of their opening day roster - Danny Espinosa, Henry Rodriguez and Zach Duke - had been shipped either to the disabled list or the waiver wire, the Nats rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning and picked up a big 3-2 win over the Mets, giving the Nats their first walk-off win of the season and their...

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Getting on the root of the problem

June 05, 2013, 6:50am

Nationals

Want to see something funny? Take a look at

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David Huzzard: Getting them on and getting them in

June 05, 2013, 4:50am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Getting them on and getting them in

After Sunday's loss to the Braves, tragic news broke that the Nationals' OBP had sunk lower than the Marlins. The Marlins offense has often been ridiculed and laughed at for how comically bad it is and while the Marlins are well on their way to losing 100 games, more was expected from the Nationals. The Nationals' failure to score runs is the biggest reason for their record this season and not having a lot of baserunners is no way to score runs. While watching a Nationals game or listening...

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Nats come to life late, pick up 3-2 walk-off win

June 04, 2013, 5:36pm

Nationals

Nats come to life late, pick up 3-2 walk-off win

The Nationals made some changes to their roster earlier today. Their offense then changed its M.O. tonight, putting up two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and turning what could've been another frustrating loss into an uplifting 3-2 walk-off win. Trailing 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Nats got three straight hits to open the inning and set up Steve Lombardozzi, who delivered a walk-off sac fly to plate Adam LaRoche with the game-winning run. Leading off the ninth, Ryan...

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Lombardozzi: "Those are the situations you dream of"

June 04, 2013, 6:35pm

Nationals

Lombardozzi: "Those are the situations you dream of"

The Nationals had a few scoring chances in their series opener against the Mets, but were never able to sustain a rally, managing just four hits in the first eight innings. New York led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth and suddenly, the Nationals bats came alive against Mets reliever Bobby Parnell. Ryan Zimmerman started the rally with a leadoff double. After a wild pitch, Adam LaRoche added a single that scored Zimmerman for the tying run. Ian Desmond laced a double to put men on...

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Strasburg could start Saturday, Detwiler progressing (and more)

June 04, 2013, 3:22pm

Nationals

Strasburg could start Saturday, Detwiler progressing (and more)

It's fair to wonder whether all the roster moves the Nationals made today were made with the intention of shaking things up and giving the team a spark after a mediocre start to the season. According to general manager Mike Rizzo, that wasn't the case. "Well it wasn't for the jolt scenario, more so than getting guys here that gives us the best chance to win baseball games," Rizzo said. "It has nothing to do with trying something different. It's putting the best 25 out there at this...

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Espinosa, Rodriguez, Duke gone as part of shakeup (Nats lineup)

June 04, 2013, 12:02pm

Nationals

Espinosa, Rodriguez, Duke gone as part of shakeup (Nats lineup)

Davey Johnson promised changes, and change has come. Lots of change. Let's start with what we know for sure. Jayson Werth has been activated from the disabled list and is in tonight's lineup for the first of three games against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Anthony Rendon is also listed on the lineup card, meaning he's been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, where he's been playing second base. However, Rendon is not starting. When reporters got to the clubhouse, they found second...

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Notes and quotes on Rodriguez and Duke being designated, Krol coming up

June 04, 2013, 3:05pm

Nationals

Notes and quotes on Rodriguez and Duke being designated, Krol coming up

We've discussed Danny Espinosa landing on the DL and Anthony Rendon getting called up and getting a shot at earning significant playing time at second base. Now let's talk about the other roster moves the Nationals made today - their decision to designate right-hander Henry Rodriguez and left-hander Zach Duke for assignment and call up left-handed reliever Ian Krol from Double-A Harrisburg. Rodriguez was originally acquired by the Nats along with outfielder Corey Brown in the Josh...