nationals

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

February 23, 2013, 7:42am

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...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals spring training stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals3

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

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson drew storen nationals spring training featured_sidebar jayson werth frontstory_nationals1

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...

Comments

Tags:

christian garcia dan kolko davey johnson nationals ryan zimmerman spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson mets nationals spring training stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals1

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...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko denard span ian desmond nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals

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...

Comments

Tags:

biogenesis dan kolko gio gonzalez nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

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...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr mark scialabba nationals prospects frontstory_nationals2

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...

Comments

Tags:

chris young dan kolko nationals spring training frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

chris young dan kolko mike rizzo nationals spring training frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

nationals nationals buzz olivia witherite weekly wrap

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...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon dan kolko nationals spring training frontstory_nationals1

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...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

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...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko kurt suzuki nationals ross detwiler spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

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...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals

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...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko drew storen gio gonzalez kurt suzuki nationals spring training wilson ramos frontstory_nationals3

Nationals release accelerated development roster

February 20, 2013, 7:10pm

Nationals

The Nationals have put together their list of prospects for the accelerated development program as they prepare to go to work next month in Viera, Fla. The pitchers listed include recently reacquired A.J. Cole, plus Lucas Giolito, Sammy Solis and Blake Schwartz. Justin Miller is listed as a catcher and Kevin Keyes as a first baseman after working those new positions in instructional league in October. Jason Martinson and Rick Hague also listed among the infielders. Brian Goodwin, Michael...

Comments

Tags:

aj cole brian goodwin byron kerr lucas giolito nationals sammy solis frontstory_nationals2

Quick-hit notes from Wednesday's workout

February 20, 2013, 7:17am

Nationals

Quick-hit notes from Wednesday's workout

VIERA, Fla. - Tyler Moore, Roger Bernadina, Chris Snyder and Chad Tracy all took their hacks against Stephen Strasburg this morning in the right-hander's first live batting practice session of spring. As Bernadina warmed up just before stepping into the cage, he turned around and started chatting with a couple of reporters. I asked whether Bernadina would be going yard off Strasburg, and Bernadina quickly turned his head toward the mound as Strasburg fired in a few warm-up pitches that had to...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals spring training bryce harper danny espinosa drew storen jayson werth nathan karns roger bernadina ross detwiler ryan matheus stephen strasburg wilson ramos frontstory_nationals3

Nats center field prospects a "position of strength" with Perez and Goodwin leading way

February 20, 2013, 8:55am

Nationals

Nats center field prospects a "position of strength" with Perez and Goodwin leading way

I spoke last week about the acquisition of Denard Span and how it sets up a very good order of center fielders now throughout the Nationals system. Eury Perez, Brian Goodwin, Michael Taylor and Billy Burns have played well at each level of the system as they look to get better this season and move up. Goodwin was recognized this week as the No. 70 prospect by Baseball America. "I think center field is a position of strength for us," Nationals director of player development Doug Harris...

Comments

Tags:

billy burns brian goodwin byron kerr denard span doug harris eury perez michael taylor nationals frontstory_nationals2

Schedule set for live batting practice sessions

February 20, 2013, 5:01am

Nationals

Schedule set for live batting practice sessions

VIERA, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg will throw live batting practice this morning. Bryce Harper will hit off live batting practice this morning. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the two former No. 1 overall picks will be facing off against each other out on the minor league fields today during the Nationals' workout. Strasburg is scheduled to be the first pitcher to throw live BP out on Field 1. He'll be followed by Ross Detwiler, Drew Storen, Ryan Mattheus, Bill Bray and Nathan...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals spring training

Impact of the newest report on Gonzalez, Biogenesis

February 20, 2013, 2:57am

Nationals

Impact of the newest report on Gonzalez, Biogenesis

VIERA, Fla. - Some might wonder whether yesterday's ESPN report claiming Gio Gonzalez did not receive performance-enhancers from Biogenesis, a Miami-area anti-aging clinic, will have any effect on Gonzalez as the Nationals lefty prepares for the season. Will it lift a weight off Gonzalez's shoulders? Will the report get rid of a distraction that has lingered around the Nationals' clubhouse for the last week and a half, since large clusters of players started filing into camp? Those two...