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Espinosa played with torn rotator cuff last season

January 26, 2013, 10:29am

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...

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Cole will not have to try to impress in return to Nats

January 20, 2013, 4:41am

Nationals

Cole will not have to try to impress in return to Nats

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo talked last week about one of the possible reasons why right-hander A.J. Cole struggled in his initiation to the Oakland A's organization last season. The high altitude and high-octane California League has gotten to many a great starting pitcher over the years. Rizzo scouted that league extensively while with the Arizona Diamondbacks and knows from experience. Potomac Nationals pitching coach Chris Michalak knows Cole very well and believes there might...

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Managing the expectations

January 20, 2013, 9:01am

Nationals

Davey Johnson and Bryce Harper were in New York last night to receive some hardware. Back in the U.S. after a lengthy trip to Africa with his wife, Johnson was presented with his National League Manager of the Year award, and Harper was given his NL Rookie of the Year at the New York Baseball Writers' Association Dinner. Here are the dapper Harper making their acceptance speeches. Harper sure can rock a tux. I wrote a few weeks ago about how the Nationals will have to adjust to being the...

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MASN's grin-and-grab photo lineup for NatsFest

January 21, 2013, 6:29am

Nationals

MASN's grin-and-grab photo lineup for NatsFest

Last week, we drew back the curtain on some of the events that will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center as part of NatsFest on Saturday. We also hinted that you'd have the opportunity to get your picture snapped with some of your favorite Nationals and MASN personalities. Well, the lineup is now set. Check out the MASN booth in the middle of the NatsFest madness and you'll have a chance to say, "Cheese" with Nats old and new, and the club's TV broadcast voices....

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Breaking down why the Nats remain high on A.J. Cole

January 19, 2013, 6:34am

Nationals

Breaking down why the Nats remain high on A.J. Cole

At Thursday's press conference at Nationals Park, Nats general manager Mike Rizzo said he feels "very fortunate" to have gotten the package that he did in return for Michael Morse, who was under contract for only one more season. That package consisted of right-handed prospects A.J. Cole and Blake Treinen, and a player to be named later, who will be selected from a list of a couple of guys the Nationals and Athletics agreed upon. Cole is the big name in the group acquired from the A's, a...

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Schwartz gained momentum in Hagerstown after long college season

January 20, 2013, 5:08am

Nationals

Schwartz gained momentum in Hagerstown after long college season

Continuing our updates on some of the pitching prospects who pitched for the Gulf Coast Nationals in 2012, we spotlight right-hander Blake Schwartz. The 6-foot-3, 200-lb., right-hander from Oklahoma City started five games for the GCL Nats before moving to Single-A Hagerstown and getting seven starts with the Suns. Schwartz went 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA for the GCL Nats. In 16 innings, Schwartz struck out 12 batters and allowed one walk. Tripp Keister,the new skipper in Hagerstown, had Schwartz...

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Nationals look in own backyard for left-handed reliever depth and find real McCoy

January 19, 2013, 7:03am

Nationals

There is a bit of concern regarding the left-handed depth available out of the Nationals bullpen heading into the 2013 campaign. Zach Duke and Bill Bray are the top names that will get the best shot to be the lefty specialists out of the 'pen. Duke did well in his work last season with the Nationals and despite some injuries, Bray had success with the Cincinnati Reds. And he also was with the Nationals before he was traded away in 2007. But do the Nationals need more depth at the spot? Ross...

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What are Soriano's chances of triggering third year of deal?

January 18, 2013, 9:06am

Nationals

What are Soriano's chances of triggering third year of deal?

General manager Mike Rizzo left little doubt that Rafael Soriano will be the Nationals' primary ninth-inning option for 2013. For the money they're paying Soriano - two years and $28 million with a vesting option for a third year - that was pretty much predetermined. Soriano doesn't have the long history as a closer that Rizzo referenced in yesterday's press conference at Nationals Park. He's only closed games full-time since 2009, when he took over the role when the Braves designated Bob...