nationals

Getting in on the extension action

March 30, 2013, 5:44am

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...

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Yankees-Nationals lineups for Nats Park exhibition

March 29, 2013, 7:49am

Nationals

It's gameday in D.C. The Nationals are making their final preparations for the 2013 season, hosting the New York Yankees in an exhibition game. You can catch all the action on MASN HD at 2 p.m., with play-by-play voice Bob Carpenter and analyst F.P. Santangelo calling the action. Left fielder Bryce Harper's sore left thumb is no longer a concern - he's in the lineup, batting third. Ahead of him in the batting order is Jayson Werth, who got yesterday off after being plunked in the left elbow...

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Back in the district

March 29, 2013, 4:44am

Nationals

No more "Viera, Fla. - ..." dateline. What a beautiful sight. I'm back in the mid-Atlantic region, where the temperature isn't really that much colder than it was on the east coast of Florida. The Nationals arrived back in D.C. last night and will take on the Yankees at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Nats Park, an exhibition that will serve as the final chance for guys to get a taste of game action before the regular season arrives. For those of you with the day off or TV access at work, the...

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An insider's look at the National League heading into 2013

March 29, 2013, 6:15am

Nationals

An insider's look at the National League heading into 2013

The San Francisco Giants are taking aim at winning their third World Series in four seasons. But first, they have to conquer the National League. Here's what the NL looks like: ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Storyline: After making the 2011 playoffs, the Diamondbacks took a step back last season. They have a deep rotation, more speed and better lineup balance. Bounce-back seasons from RHPs Ian Kennedy and Trevor Cahill will help. Players to watch: CF Adam Eaton, who will miss April because of a...

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Johnson wraps up Nats' Grapefruit League season (plus cuts)

March 28, 2013, 12:42pm

Nationals

Johnson wraps up Nats' Grapefruit League season (plus cuts)

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' Grapefruit League season is over. The bags in the home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium are all packed and the players are dressed and ready for their flight up to D.C. Thirty-three spring training games are in the books. Only tomorrow's exhibition against the Yankees at Nats Park and two days off stand between the Nationals and the 2013 regular season. "We're ready to get out of here," manager Davey Johnson said after this afternoon's 5-1 win over the Mets....

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Spring Training Wrap: It's Nats baseball season

March 28, 2013, 8:27pm

Nationals

Spring Training Wrap: It's Nats baseball season

It's been a long winter. I think the snowstorm that many of us saw on the East Coast this week really drove that statement home. After a lengthy offseason and spring training, which was extended due to the World Baseball Classic, I can finally utter the words that I have been waiting to say for months: "Baseball is back." The Nationals will wrap up their spring at home in D.C., facing the Yankees in an exhibition game Friday. If you can't make it out to Nats Park, be sure to check out the...

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Gonzalez's final regular season tune-up a strong one (Nats win 5-1)

March 28, 2013, 11:46am

Nationals

Gonzalez's final regular season tune-up a strong one (Nats win 5-1)

VIERA, Fla. - It's 5-1 Nationals here in the eighth inning at Space Coast Stadium in what's turned into a minor league game. Neil Holland, who spent nearly all of last season at high Single-A Potomac, has worked the last two innings for the Nats. Remarkably, despite having been with the Nationals for two full springs now, Gio Gonzalez hadn't made a start at Space Coast Stadium until today. All five of his Grapefruit League outings last spring came on the road, and his first four big league...

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Nationals trim spring training roster to 26

March 28, 2013, 2:32pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today re-assigned first baseman/outfielder Micah Owings and infielder/outfielder Carlos Rivero to minor-league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 26 players in their big league camp.

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LaRoche, Espinosa homer before starters exit

March 28, 2013, 10:38am

Nationals

LaRoche, Espinosa homer before starters exit

VIERA, Fla. - There weren't too many called strikes taken by Nationals hitters in their final Grapefruit League at-bats this afternoon. Everyone is eager to get the heck out of here and make their way up to D.C. The Nationals attacked Mets starter Domingo Tapia today, pouncing on early pitches in the zone and doing some damage with them. Adam LaRoche crushed a solo homer way out to right leading off the second, and two batters later, Danny Espinosa followed with a longball of his...

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Barring a change, Rodriguez will grab final spot in Nats bullpen

March 28, 2013, 8:23am

Nationals

Barring a change, Rodriguez will grab final spot in Nats bullpen

VIERA, Fla. - Yesterday, we learned that both Henry Rodriguez and J.C. Romero would make the trip to D.C. with the Nationals following this afternoon's Grapefruit League finale, leaving the two relievers in the mix for the final spot in the Nats' bullpen. Today, manager Davey Johnson said that unless Rodriguez suffers some kind of injury when he appears in tomorrow's exhibition game against the Yankees at Nats Park, the flame-throwing right-hander would get that final bullpen spot, with...

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Ted Leavengood: What to take from a topsy-turvy spring

March 28, 2013, 9:09am

Nationals

Ted Leavengood: What to take from a topsy-turvy spring

This spring has been a confusing one. The only cherry blossoms we have seen were the white puffs of snow clinging to the branches several days ago. Nationals spring training hasn't blossomed the way we thought either. The expectations are so different after winning 98 games in 2012. We want to win them all, even the ones in March. Like the osprey soaring on March winds above Viera, the Nationals have ridden Bryce Harper's bat on one day only to be grounded the next as the pitching staff is...

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MASNsports.com sets Nats guest blogger rotation for first half of 2013

March 27, 2013, 10:46am

Nationals

MASNsports.com sets Nats guest blogger rotation for first half of 2013

The way MASNsports.com is structured, conversation is encouraged. And good conversation requires strong, distinctive voices. The blogosphere covering baseball is Washington, D.C., is one of the strongest collections of baseball observers in the major leagues, chocked full of well-reasoned opinions and creative storytellers. We're happy to once again welcome these dedicated writers to our pages for the 2013. Guest bloggers will return to MASNsports.com, offering their viewpoints each weekday...

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Harper back in Nats lineup, Werth not

March 28, 2013, 8:48am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - After getting his second game off in a five-day span in order to rest a sore left thumb, Bryce Harper is back in the Nationals lineup for today's Grapefruit League finale against the Mets. Harper sat out yesterday's game against the Braves after getting jammed the day prior in a two-hit performance in Jupiter. He said his thumb felt better when he woke up yesterday, and the thumb had improved enough by today that he was cleared to return to the lineup. "He wanted one or two...

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Relievers' lofty spring ERAs not a concern in Nats camp

March 28, 2013, 4:46am

Nationals

Relievers' lofty spring ERAs not a concern in Nats camp

VIERA, Fla. - It's here. The final day of spring training is here. Boy, these seven weeks really have flown by. I'm kidding. They really haven't. It's time to get out of here and get some meaningful games under way. I've jammed all my clothes into a couple bags, left some condiments in the fridge in my hotel room and am about to head out the door and make the drive over to Space Coast Stadium for the final time this spring. If you're on the east coast of Florida and need some barbeque...