nationals

Extending the conversation about extensions

January 27, 2013, 4:46am

A day after NatsFest, an event which was so popular that some fans unfortunately were held back from entering for an extended period because the Walter E. Washington Convention Center was filled to capacity, there are still plenty of tidbits to pass along from conversations with a number of Nationals players. First, a few more injury notes. Jayson Werth says that his left wrist, which he broke early last May, is not completely healed, but feels good enough that he can play and still be...

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Hearing from Harper on declining to play in WBC, lineup positioning

January 26, 2013, 11:20am

Nationals

Hearing from Harper on declining to play in WBC, lineup positioning

Bryce Harper won't enter spring training this year with all eyes on him, like they were last year. He won't enter spring training trying to impress manager Davey Johnson or trying to win a spot on the 25-man roster, like he did last year. This time around, the 20-year-old outfielder will just go in trying to get himself in the best shape possible to be ready for the start of the regular season, when he'll play left field and likely hit somewhere in the top third of the Nationals' batting...

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Warm greeting at NatsFest meant a lot to Storen

January 26, 2013, 11:27am

Nationals

Warm greeting at NatsFest meant a lot to Storen

Drew Storen's elbow feels fine, and his psyche shows no scars from a meltdown in Game 5 of the National League Division Series that the right-hander would probably prefer to permanently file away, never to be remembered. A London vacation after the premature end to his season helped Storen unwind and begin the process of moving on past extremely personal disappointment. "It's harder because you don't have that game the next day to fix it," he explained. "That's why you look at Game 6...

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Werth: "I think we've got the best team in baseball"

January 26, 2013, 10:58am

Nationals

Werth: "I think we've got the best team in baseball"

Ready for some good one-liners so far from NatsFest? Jordan Zimmermann on possibly increasing his innings this season: "The way it looks, I'm going to have to throw five innings and the bullpen should be able to handle it." Ian Desmond on having some more "daddy strength" after the birth of his second son earlier this offseason: "Yup, double dose this year." Bryce Harper, sarcastically, on having all the fans cheering for him here at NatsFest: "Well, Strasburg's not here, so...

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Number, expectations changing for Tyler Moore

January 26, 2013, 10:53am

Nationals

Number, expectations changing for Tyler Moore

There will be changes for first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore in 2013. For starters, he's ditched the offensive lineman's No. 57 that used to be on his jersey. Instead, he's returned to a more familiar No. 12. "I've always had it," Moore said at NatsFest, "all through the minors." The last player to don No. 12 for the Nationals? Pinch hitter deluxe Matt Stairs in 2011. The number on his back won't be the only change Moore will deal with for 2013. With the trade of Michael Morse to...

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Nationals name William Howard Taft fifth Racing President

January 26, 2013, 10:51am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced today that William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, has been named the fifth participant in the GEICO Presidents Race. "Bill" is scheduled to be introduced to the public today at a press conference during NatsFest at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the newest Racing President following his introductory press conference. Bill will join George, Tom, Abe and Teddy...

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Rizzo on All-Star Game, Vasquez, Zimmermann, more

January 26, 2013, 8:42am

Nationals

Rizzo on All-Star Game, Vasquez, Zimmermann, more

Danny Espinosa still has his beard, and it's still fierce. Never say I don't bring you all the important updates. Mike Rizzo took part in a fan Q&A session here at NatsFest at bit ago, and at one point was asked about the chances of the Nationals and Washington D.C. getting to host an All-Star Game. Rizzo's response? "We deserve the damn All-Star game, I'll tell you that," he told the fans, who broke out in applause. The Nationals would have loved to have been selected to host the...

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Espinosa played with torn rotator cuff last season

January 26, 2013, 10:29am

Nationals

Espinosa played with torn rotator cuff last season

A couple things are different about Danny Espinosa from the last time we saw him. First, he's got a massive beard, which he started growing around Oct. 1 and hasn't shaved since. That will go before spring training starts. Also, he finally knows what was wrong with his left shoulder, which bugged him for the better part of the final two months of last season. Espinosa was originally diagnosed late last season with a bone bruise inside the capsule of his shoulder. Turns out, Espinosa...

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Mark Lerner: "We're going to the World Series this year"

January 26, 2013, 7:26am

Nationals

Mark Lerner: "We're going to the World Series this year"

NatsFest is under way at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and it didn't take long for fans to start cheering. At a "State of the Nationals" forum for season ticket holders featuring principal owner Mark Lerner and general manager Mike Rizzo, Lerner drew loud applause by proclaiming, "We're going to the World Series this year." There's little doubt that has been the focus since the Nationals' disheartening loss to the Cardinals in Game 5 of the National League Division Series...

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Detwiler, Garcia ready to pitch, regardless of roles

January 26, 2013, 9:30am

Nationals

Detwiler, Garcia ready to pitch, regardless of roles

Ross Detwiler probably will be the first of the Nationals' contingent to arrive in Viera, Fla., for spring training. He leaves Sunday. "It's nine degrees at home" in St. Louis, Detwiler said at NatsFest on Saturday. "I can't get outside." Temperatures in the 20s and 30s in Washington, D.C., are balmy by comparison - warm enough that Detwiler has been hoofing it around town since arriving Friday. The left-hander went 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 33 games, including 27 starts, last year and...

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Things getting interesting in the NL East

January 25, 2013, 3:07am

Nationals

Things getting interesting in the NL East

I'd imagine there aren't many baseball fans who would object to me saying that not much is being expected of the Miami Marlins or New York Mets this season. The Marlins, who downright stunk last year, traded away the vast majority of their established major leaguers, and while there is buzz around the league that the Mets could be major players for free agent center fielder Michael Bourn, they dealt Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey this offseason and are coming off a second half of the...

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Lock in limited time offer: Get 2012 pricing for 2013

January 25, 2013, 8:28am

Nationals

Lock in limited time offer: Get 2012 pricing for 2013

By becoming a Nationals Season Plan Holder between today and Sunday, March 31, fans can lock in 2012 pricing with their choice of a one- or two-year commitment. In addition to 2012 prices, Season Plan Holders receive an assortment of benefits, including the Red Carpet Rewards and Ticket Exchange Programs, team store discounts and invitations to exclusive events. Full, half and partial season plans are currently available on all levels of the ballpark for those who don't want to miss a minute...

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Nats starting times released, April begins with matinee against Marlins

January 25, 2013, 7:49am

Nationals

Nats starting times released, April begins with matinee against Marlins

Major League Baseball released the Nationals' 2013 start times this week. The home opener is April 1 at 1:05 p.m. against the Miami Marlins. That series includes a 7:05 p.m. start on April 3 and a getaway day start at 4:05 p.m. on April 4. The White Sox arrive the next week from April 9-11 for three 7:05 p.m. starts. Then the homestand continues with the first big test, against the Atlanta Braves from April 12-14. The three games in the Braves weekend series begin at 7:05 p.m., 1:05 p.m. and...

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Weekly Wrap

January 24, 2013, 7:23pm

Nationals

Ready for NatsFest on Saturday? If you're headed out to the event, be sure to follow @MASNNationals on Twitter and Instagram and to text "NATSFEST" to 29292 for the latest event news and contest updates. MASN will be at the event, hosting a grin-and-grab photo booth, which will give fans a chance to take pictures with players and MASN personalities. Fans will have plenty to talk about at the event, including discussing how the Nationals will go into the 2013 season with a "bull's eye"...

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The science of team chemistry

January 23, 2013, 5:24am

Nationals

Essentially, the Nationals' five-man bench was finalized months ago. Chad Tracy signed a one-year extension covering the 2013 season during the Nationals' postseason run last year, keeping him a part of the Goon Squad, which will also contain Steve Lombardozzi, Tyler Moore, Roger Bernadina and whichever catcher doesn't start that particular day - Kurt Suzuki or Wilson Ramos. That five-man group didn't really leave room for Mark DeRosa, so even though manager Davey Johnson hoped to bring...

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A chance for Moore to do more

January 24, 2013, 3:41am

Nationals

Ladies and gentlemen,

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GCL Nats pitching capsules: Pena, Pineyro, Hollins

January 24, 2013, 9:07am

Nationals

GCL Nats pitching capsules: Pena, Pineyro, Hollins

Here is another installment on some of the Nationals' young pitchers to watch that pitched for then-manager Tripp Keister while in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League last year. Right-hander Ronald Pena: Pena made three starts for the GCL Nats, going 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in six innings of work, with five strikeouts and one walk. With short-season Single-A Auburn, The 6-foot-4, 195 lb., Pena pitched in two games for 6 1/3 innings, going 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA, four strikeouts and no walks. The...

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Random news and notes, including some Detwiler talk (DeRosa signs with Toronto)

January 22, 2013, 6:09am

Nationals

Random news and notes, including some Detwiler talk (DeRosa signs with Toronto)

The Nationals had been considered one of the favorites to host the 2015 All-Star Game. That won't be happening, however. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds will be given the Midsummer Classic in 2015, likely leaving D.C. out of the All-Star Game picture until at least 2017. The league office prefers that the All-Star Game alternates between American League and National League cities on a year-to-year basis. The Mets will host this year's All-Star Game at Citi Field, the 2014...

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Another artist rendering of future Potomac Nationals stadium

January 22, 2013, 1:26pm

Nationals

The high Single-A Potomac Nationals conducted their 18th annual Hot Stove Banquet on Sunday night. At the banquet, P-Nats owner and chairman/CEO Art Silber unveiled more details regarding the new stadium to be built for the team in Prince William County at the Potomac Town Center. The artist's rendering showed the classic aerial view of the stadium from right field and several shots of the concourse area that include the exclusive club and suites levels, a wraparound party deck with views of...

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Soriano move affects other bullpen arms

January 21, 2013, 6:22am

Nationals

Before I delve into some Nationals talk, indulge me as I drop a quick Ravens statistic for anyone who might have followed me over from that beat last year. Joe Flacco has thrown for 853 yards with eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in the postseason. He's outplayed Peyton Manning and Tom Brady the last two weeks, and this is the second season in a row in which he's gone into Gillette Stadium and played well enough to get his team to the Super Bowl. Pay the man. Sorry, had to get that...