nationals

Nats, Marlins lineups for home opener at Space Coast Stadium

February 24, 2013, 4:43am

VIERA, Fla. - The new-look Marlins (is that a nice way to say it, or what?) come to town this afternoon to take on the Nationals in their home opener at Space Coast Stadium. Danny Espinosa and Kurt Suzuki will make their spring debuts this afternoon under cloudy skies, as the Nationals face young right-hander Henderson Alvarez, one of the arms the Marlins got from the Blue Jays in that massive trade this offseason. Jordan Zimmermann gets the ball for the Nats, with Zach Duke scheduled to...

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This spring, Strasburg looking more at the big picture

February 24, 2013, 3:05am

Nationals

This spring, Strasburg looking more at the big picture

VIERA, Fla. - There was a time not too long ago when Stephen Strasburg would have thrown a mini fit had he allowed a two-run homer to the light-hitting Ruben Tejada and needed 31 pitches to get out of his first inning of spring. That time might've even been last February. "I think last year at this time, if he would've done what he did in that first inning, we would have seen gloves flying, cups flying," shortstop Ian Desmond said yesterday. "He was pretty fairly composed...

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Strasburg focuses on positives after a "debacle" of a first inning

February 23, 2013, 11:12am

Nationals

Strasburg focuses on positives after a "debacle" of a first inning

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - If you've watched Stephen Strasburg pitch enough, you're aware of the fact that he can be one of his toughest opponents. The Nationals right-hander is so competitive and gets so amped up for big starts that he can end up fighting himself on the mound, resulting in stretches where he overthrows and loses his effectiveness. You can understand, then, why Strasburg was, as he put it, "really geeked up" for this afternoon's spring training opener. Not only was it his...

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Johnson discusses Nats' 5-3 loss in spring opener

February 23, 2013, 11:34am

Nationals

Johnson discusses Nats' 5-3 loss in spring opener

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - If Stephen Strasburg wasn't going to harp on the negatives from his spring opener, manager Davey Johnson sure wasn't. The Nationals skipper knew that Strasburg would be throwing mostly fastballs, and he knew that Mets hitters would be looking to tee off. This early in spring, Johnson was mainly happy that Strasburg made it through his two innings and was able to get his full work in. "I thought he threw the ball all right," Johnson said. "He kind of jumped a little...

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Game updates plus Harper, Desmond quotes (Mets top Nats 5-3)

February 23, 2013, 10:08am

Nationals

Game updates plus Harper, Desmond quotes (Mets top Nats 5-3)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Not much has changed from last year. Davey Johnson's still getting plenty of use out of Craig Stammen's right arm. Stammen worked two innings this afternoon, throwing 39 pitches, and apparently will get a workload similar to that of the Nationals' starters early in spring. Stammen allowed three hits and one run, knotting the game at 3-3 for a brief time. It's now 5-3 Mets here in the top of the eighth inning. With both teams emptying their benches and using minor...

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Strasburg allows two-run bomb in first inning of spring (much sharper in second)

February 23, 2013, 7:42am

Nationals

Strasburg allows two-run bomb in first inning of spring (much sharper in second)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - I told you the wind could be a factor today. Stephen Strasburg's first inning of spring saw him surrender a two-run homer to a guy - Ruben Tejada - who had just one home run in 114 games last season. Tejada took a 93 mph Strasburg fastball over the left-center field fence, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead over the Nationals just two batters into Strasburg's Grapefruit League debut. The ball was struck well, but it definitely was wind-aided. We might be in for a few more of...

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Johnson responds to report claiming Storen battled injury in NLDS

February 23, 2013, 6:46am

Nationals

Johnson responds to report claiming Storen battled injury in NLDS

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Asked today about

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Garcia getting second opinion on forearm, Zimmerman has strong BP session

February 22, 2013, 10:52am

Nationals

Garcia getting second opinion on forearm, Zimmerman has strong BP session

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals believe that the lingering tightness in the area between Christian Garcia's right wrist and forearm is due to a strain, but they are awaiting a second opinion on the right-hander's MRI results, which they hope will clear up what manager Davey Johnson has called "a strange injury." Garcia has been feeling tightness in his right arm for the last few days, but he doesn't notice any discomfort when throwing curveballs or changeups. The tightness is only present...

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Johnson talks Strasburg limits, plus Nats, Mets lineups

February 23, 2013, 6:27am

Nationals

Johnson talks Strasburg limits, plus Nats, Mets lineups

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Greetings from Tradition Field, where the sun is out and the breeze is, as well. A nice wind is blowing out to center this afternoon, and the Nationals were taking full advantage during batting practice. One BP group, made up of Bryce Harper, Tyler Moore, Chris Marrero and Micah Owings, sent dozens of souvenirs out to the fans beyond the fence, and Moore and Marrero even tattooed a couple balls off the scoreboard in left-center. We could have quite a show out here...

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Let the games begin

February 23, 2013, 3:04am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - The last couple weeks have been fun and all, with players reporting to camp, discussing their goals for the 2013 season and kicking off the start of spring training. But you can bet the guys in the Nationals clubhouse are glad the start of the Grapefruit League season is finally here, and frankly, so are the beat writers. There are only so many blog entries one can get out of watching players take part in baserunning drills or field comebackers. There are only so many times you...

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Gio Gonzalez says blood, urine tests for PEDs came back negative

February 22, 2013, 8:25am

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez says blood, urine tests for PEDs came back negative

VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez has received word from the Major League Baseball Players Association that he has tested negative for performance-enhancing drugs. Two days after the Miami New Times listed Gonzalez among a group of players linked to Biogenesis, a Miami-area anti-aging clinic that was allegedly supplying performance-enhancing substances to players, Gonzalez had both his blood and urine tested by MLB. The Nationals left-hander, who finished third in the National League Cy Young...

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Why the Nationals have an accelerated development program

February 22, 2013, 9:35am

Nationals

This week, the Nationals revealed their accelerated development roster. The intrasquad games with this roster begin around March 1. Some fans asked what is the accelerated development roster and what is its purpose? Nationals director of minor league operations Mark Scialabba says the development program has three main goals: 1. To place the Nationals' top prospects on one roster for focused one-on-one work with the coaching staff and instructors. The idea is to get the best together and...

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Chris Young on his health, how he views his future with Nats

February 22, 2013, 9:37am

Nationals

Chris Young on his health, how he views his future with Nats

VIERA, Fla. - Right about now, Chris Young should be toeing a mound somewhere at the Nationals' spring facility, throwing a bullpen session in front of his new pitching coach, Steve McCatty, and other Nats staffers. Young got to the Nationals' complex this morning after signing a minor league deal with the team last night, and spent the early part of today going through various medical procedures. He was scheduled to throw at 2:30 p.m., after which the Nats will determine how to utilize the...

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Rizzo discusses Young signing (with Saturday's travel roster)

February 22, 2013, 5:44am

Nationals

Rizzo discusses Young signing (with Saturday's travel roster)

VIERA, Fla. - It's not hard to spot Chris Young, so when I walked past the trainer's room a bit earlier and saw a 6-foot-10 figure to my right, I knew the newest Nationals pitcher had arrived in camp. Young, who the Nats signed to a minor league deal yesterday, will throw a bullpen session for the Nationals today and then the team will decide where he's at in his throwing program and how best to utilize him over the next couple of weeks. For now, general manager Mike Rizzo is just happy to...

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Weekly Wrap

February 21, 2013, 6:58pm

Nationals

We're just a day away from the Nationals' Grapefruit League opener. Stephen Strasburg will take the mound for the game, and MASN will keep you updated with the latest news and pictures from spring training. For up-to-the-minute updates, be sure to follow Dan Kolko on Twitter and our Nats account on Instagram. There's been much news to report during the second week of spring training, including some interesting storylines out of Viera, Fla. According to a recent report by ESPN's "Outside...

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Now healthy, Rendon confident he can show his stuff

February 21, 2013, 4:39am

Nationals

Now healthy, Rendon confident he can show his stuff

VIERA, Fla. - Anthony Rendon knows that he's been labeled injury-prone by some around the league. He knows that scouts and fans have seen him suffer three ankle injuries in a four-year span, with a shoulder injury thrown in there, as well. The former first-round pick understands that some might doubt whether he can put together a full, healthy season and deliver on the promise that led many to label him the top prospect out of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. All Rendon can do now is go...

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Nats agree with Chris Young on minor league deal with spring invite

February 21, 2013, 11:51am

Nationals

Nats agree with Chris Young on minor league deal with spring invite

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chris Young on a minor-league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Young is 53-43 with a 3.79 ERA in 159 career starts with New York-NL (2011-12), San Diego (2006-10) and Texas (2004-05). The 33-year-old, who earned an All-Star nod with the Padres in '07, has posted winning seasons in...

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One area of focus that could put Detwiler "over the top"

February 21, 2013, 2:45am

Nationals

One area of focus that could put Detwiler "over the top"

VIERA, Fla. - Dating back to the second half of last season, one of Davey Johnson's ongoing goals has been to convince Ross Detwiler to utilize more off-speed pitches while on the mound. Detwiler has success largely because of his sinker, a biting two-seam fastball that hitters can't lay off, but often can do little with. It's Detwiler's bread and butter, and when the 26-year-old left-hander mixes the two-seamer with his hard, straight four-seam fastball, hitters have a hard time...

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Pitching schedules for today's live BP and first two spring games

February 21, 2013, 4:22am

Nationals

Pitching schedules for today's live BP and first two spring games

VIERA, Fla. - Tyler Moore faced Stephen Strasburg, a 15-game winner last year, during live batting practice yesterday morning. Moore will square off against Dan Haren, a 10-year veteran and three-time All-Star during live BP today. "Bring 'em on," Moore said this morning with a chuckle. "Rack 'em up." It'll be Haren, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeremy Accardo, Ryan Perry and Brendan Mann throwing to hitters on Field 1 this morning. Moore, Roger Bernadina, Chad Tracy, Jayson Werth, Ryan...

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Hearing from the catchers (plus Gonzalez statement)

February 20, 2013, 12:06pm

Nationals

Hearing from the catchers (plus Gonzalez statement)

VIERA, Fla. - Kurt Suzuki looks at live batting practice sessions from multiple perspectives. As he stands in the batter's box, he obviously sees the pitches coming in at him with a hitter's mindset. But the Nationals catcher also views things from the perspective of a guy who will be behind the plate on the receiving end of these pitches. Suzuki was in the box today facing reliever Drew Storen during live BP, and he was really impressed with what he saw. "He was telling you what it was...