nationals

Rizzo on Young, Desmond contract talks and hoisting a championship banner

April 01, 2013, 8:09am

A sea of red is spilling into Nationals Park through the center field gate, and we're just about an hour away from first pitch here between the Nationals and Marlins. Wilson Ramos is ready for his first regular season game in nearly 11 months, saying he's as excited as he could possibly be. Denard Span is pumped for his first meaningful game in a Nats jersey, and says he had trouble sleeping last night because of all the excitement. General manager Mike Rizzo is ready to go, as...

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Opening day even more special to Nationals after last season's success

April 01, 2013, 7:57am

Nationals

Opening day is always a special time for the fans but is it just another game to the players? Far from it. Especially with what the Nationals were able to accomplish in 2012. A pregame banner ceremony will commemorate the National League East crown from last season, and then it is time to go to work to try to do it again. "I enjoy opening day," said Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche. "It is an absolute necessity. It is kind of the parade that kicks this thing off." And repeating...

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Johnson on his future, Harper and Garcia

April 01, 2013, 9:15am

Nationals

Johnson on his future, Harper and Garcia

The Nationals have just been introduced to the large crowd at Nats Park, with Bryce Harper, Davey Johnson and Stephen Strasburg receiving the loudest ovations. Jayson Werth opted not to give a high five to Screech, the mascot standing next to the players and team staffers along the first base line, drawing a laugh from reporters here in the press box. Adam LaRoche received his Gold Glove, and Silver Sluggers were handed out to LaRoche, Ian Desmond and Stephen Strasburg. Johnson was given his...

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Harper, Strasburg carry Nats to 2-0 opening day win

April 01, 2013, 11:20am

Nationals

Harper, Strasburg carry Nats to 2-0 opening day win

The Nationals plated two runs today. Both came off the bat of Bryce Harper, who clubbed solo home runs in his first two at-bats of the season. The Nats shut out the Marlins. Seven of those scoreless innings came from Stephen Strasburg, who retired 19 in a row at one point, allowed just three hits and failed to walk a batter. A sellout crowd of 45,274 - the largest paid attendance in Nats Park history - got quite a show this afternoon, as the Nats beat the Marlins 2-0 in their 2013 regular...

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Harper starts 2013 off with a bang (more Harper, more Strasburg)

April 01, 2013, 9:36am

Nationals

Harper starts 2013 off with a bang (more Harper, more Strasburg)

Bryce Harper might just do some things this season. In his first at-bat of the season, just some 20 minutes after receiving his 2012 National League Rookie of the Year award, Harper crushed a 1-0 pitch from Ricky Nolasco into the right field bleachers. Two pitches, one home run and a lot more talk about what could be to come from Harper in his age-20 season. The homer came on a hanging curveball over the inner half, and it left the park in a hurry. It's 1-0 Nationals. Harper sprinted...

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Your Marlins-Nats opening day lineups

April 01, 2013, 5:19am

Nationals

We couldn't have asked for a much nicer day for a ballgame, at least on April 1 in Washington, D.C. It's supposed to be around 63 and sunny at first pitch here at Nationals Park, with no rain in the forecast. I'll take it. For those of you coming to the game, you might want to get here early. The opening day ceremonies will begin at 12:08 p.m., with James Brown serving as the master of ceremonies. The Nationals are scheduled to unveil their National League East division champions sign at...

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Mattheus thrilled to come into a season where he can just pitch

March 31, 2013, 4:16pm

Nationals

Mattheus thrilled to come into a season where he can just pitch

Right-hander Ryan Mattheus feels like 2013 is different. Of course, he has to prove himself. But this feels better than in years past where he came into camp trying to make the team. This season, he felt like his spot was his to lose. He felt more in control during spring training. "It's huge," Mattheus said. "I finally had the pressures of making the team. I guess I could have went in and lost the job. I came in this spring and it was my job to lose. And that is just comforting, that I...

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Nats finalize opening day roster

March 31, 2013, 12:10pm

Nationals

We knew this was coming, but the Nationals officially reassigned left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to minor league camp this afternoon, a move that finalizes their opening day 25-man roster. Romero will open the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Syracuse and serve as insurance in case of injury or if the Nats need more left-handed presence in their 'pen. The Nats will break camp with 13 position players and 12 pitchers, opting to go with a five-man bench and a seven-man bullpen, as they did...

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Nats' quest for a World Series begins today with Strasburg leading the way

April 01, 2013, 2:55am

Nationals

Nats' quest for a World Series begins today with Strasburg leading the way

A long winter and a seemingly even longer spring training are behind us. The first pitch of the regular season was thrown last night in Houston, and this afternoon, the Nationals will kick off their 2013 campaign, one that comes with the highest of expectations. Happy opening day, everyone. This day couldn't come soon enough for the Nationals, who saw their 2012 World Series hopes come crumbling down last Oct. 12. Same goes for their opening day starter, Stephen Strasburg, whose season ended...

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Nationals finalize opening day roster

March 31, 2013, 2:12pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today reassigned left-handed pitcher J.C. Romero to minor league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The move finalizes the Nationals' 25-man opening day roster.

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Espinosa: "I feel like I can hit anybody"

March 31, 2013, 5:34am

Nationals

Espinosa: "I feel like I can hit anybody"

Prior to the Nationals' exhibition game against the Yankees on Friday, with spring training all but over, I asked Danny Espinosa when the last time was that his left-handed swing had felt as good as it currently does. "More than two years," Espinosa responded. "Since I've been in the big leagues. By far." When Dr. Lewis Yocum, perhaps the leader in treatment for shoulder and elbow injuries among athletes, told Espinosa this offseason that he felt the Nationals second baseman could rehab...

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Nationals release rosters for Hagerstown, Potomac and Syracuse

March 30, 2013, 8:36am

Nationals

Here are the 2013 opening day rosters for Nationals' affiliates at Single-A Hagerstown, Single-A Potomac and Triple-A Syracuse. Double-A Harrisburg released its roster yesterday. Potomac Nationals PITCHERS A.J. Cole Robbie Ray Taylor Jordan Taylor Hill Kylin Turnbull Tyler Herron Matt Grace Richard Mirowski Gregory Holt Ben Hawkins Christian Meza Colin Bates Derek Self CATCHERS Adrian Nieto Cole Leonida INFIELDERS Kevin Keyes Adrian Sanchez Jason Martinson Cutter Dykstra Blake...

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Owings feels strong spring validated change to position player

March 30, 2013, 8:24am

Nationals

Owings feels strong spring validated change to position player

If Micah Owings had any doubts at all that he'd made the right decision by opting to become a position player after six big league seasons as a pitcher, those doubts were erased this spring. Owings came into camp knowing he had a tough task ahead of him as he pursued a bit of a career change, putting aside bullpen sessions and instead working on getting reads on fly balls in the outfield and fine-tuning his hitting. It was unlikely Owings would be able to crack the Nationals' opening day...

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Getting in on the extension action

March 30, 2013, 5:44am

Nationals

It's a pretty good time to be a talented major league baseball player. OK, there isn't ever really a bad time to be a talented major league ballplayer, but given the contract extensions we've seen handed out over the last couple of days, there's no better time than now to be able to throw in the mid-90s or be a young, skilled position player. A day after the Cardinals handed right-hander Adam Wainwright a five-year, $97.5 million extension, three more extensions got finalized around the...

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Rodriguez nails down final 'pen spot, Ramos to catch opener

March 29, 2013, 1:50pm

Nationals

Rodriguez nails down final 'pen spot, Ramos to catch opener

In the end, the Nationals weren't about to take a chance on parting ways with a relief pitcher capable of hitting triple digits. Despite an up-and-down spring, right-hander Henry Rodriguez has claimed the final spot in the Nationals bullpen. Manager Davey Johnson made the announcement after Friday's 4-2 exhibition loss to the New York Yankees at Nationals Park, surprising a team public relations official who had just told reporters the word on the Nats' final roster moves wouldn't come...

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After getting his work in, Zimmermann's ready for season

March 29, 2013, 2:10pm

Nationals

After getting his work in, Zimmermann's ready for season

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann got his work in, a final start against the New York Yankees in an exhibition game before the games count for real on Monday. The Yankees won the game 4-2 with four runs in the fourth inning. The rally ignited with a Kevin Youkilis solo shot to left field. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Zimmermann was happy to just get this one in and get ready for the Miami Marlins, but didn't think his right-hander felt like himself at the beginning. "Zimm didn't feel...

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Harper gets his revenge on Pettitte (Nats lose 4-2)

March 29, 2013, 10:30am

Nationals

Harper gets his revenge on Pettitte (Nats lose 4-2)

The last time Bryce Harper faced Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte, the pitcher got the better of the Nationals rookie hitter. Harper was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Pettitte, and didn't look very good. So much for the domination. Facing Pettitte in the first inning of today's exhibition game at Nationals Park, Harper singled with two down, smacking the ball sharply to right field on Pettitte's first pitch, an 89-mph two-seamer. That makes Harper 11-for-11 with a walk and a sacrifice...

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Various notes on Rodriguez, Garcia, catchers and more

March 29, 2013, 8:37am

Nationals

Various notes on Rodriguez, Garcia, catchers and more

I'm back in the press box at Nationals Park, perched high - and I mean high - above field level. After two months of press boxes in spring training parks where we were practically right on top of the action, this view is pretty jarring. Tough life, I know. I just seriously feel like I'm in the clouds right now. A bunch of changes have been made around Nationals Park from the last time we were here. There's a giant Ian Desmond banner up above the concourse in left field joining ones of...

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Harrisburg Senators announce opening day roster

March 29, 2013, 9:05am

Nationals

Harrisburg Senators announce opening day roster

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators released their opening day roster today. The talented roster includes top prospects Anthony Rendon, Matt Skole, Brian Goodwin and Nathan Karns. According to a press release, the roster includes eight players listed in the Baseball America's Top 28 Nationals prospects: Rendon (1), Goodwin (3), Skole (4), Karns (5), Sandy Leon (15), Rick Hague (16), Destin Hood (17) and Paul Demny (28). Harrisburg home opener is April 4 versus Bowie Baysox. Here is the roster...

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Nats bullpen plays off each other, confident they can get hitters out

March 29, 2013, 9:43am

Nationals

Nats bullpen plays off each other, confident they can get hitters out

With opening day arriving Monday, the lineup sheet for the Nationals' exhibition against the Yankees lists only two left-handers: Zach Duke and J.C. Romero. Manager Davey Johnson said at spring training in Viera, Fla., he is confident in the right-handers, and their plus stuff, to be able to go after either side of the plate and not have to be so worried about match-ups. Right-hander Ryan Mattheus agreed that this bullpen is talented enough to be able to challenge the hitters, regardless of...