nationals

Soriano has his visa, plus workout notes

February 15, 2013, 8:12am

VIERA, Fla. - Rafael Soriano has obtained his visa and is expected to be at Nationals camp in the next day or two, according to a team source. The deadline for pitchers and catchers to report to spring training was Tuesday, but Soriano was unable to arrive on time due to an issue with his visa. A native of the Dominican Republic, Soriano should be here shortly and will get with manager Davey Johnson and pitching coach Steve McCatty to discuss how he'll be used early in camp. The Nationals...

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Talking haircuts, contracts and expectations with Adam LaRoche

February 15, 2013, 12:36pm

Nationals

Talking haircuts, contracts and expectations with Adam LaRoche

VIERA, Fla. - When Adam LaRoche walked into the Nationals clubhouse this morning, his 11-year-old son Drake was right behind him, as is often the case, and was wheeling a bag filled with baseball gear. Nationals players and clubhouse staffers flocked from all around to welcome the LaRoches - both of them - with hugs and handshakes. This is a beloved duo around these parts. The LaRoches unpacked their camouflage pants and t-shirts, dressed and answered numerous questions about what the heck...

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Johnson impressed with Haren, likes Rodriguez's progress

February 15, 2013, 11:30am

Nationals

Johnson impressed with Haren, likes Rodriguez's progress

VIERA, Fla. - Dan Haren's first mound session as a member of the Nationals was a strong one. Haren, signed to a one-year, $13 million deal this offseason, stood between fellow right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard this morning, and the 32-year-old toed the rubber and fired pitches into the glove of catcher Jhonatan Solano. It was the first time Haren has thrown in front of manager Davey Johnson, and Johnson liked what he saw. "I was impressed with Dan Haren," Johnson said....

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Ryan Zimmerman returning to his natural throwing motion

February 15, 2013, 10:08am

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman returning to his natural throwing motion

VIERA, Fla. - The days of the robotic throwing motion are over. No longer will Ryan Zimmerman need a seemingly 12-step process to get the ball from his glove to the first baseman. And boy, are Zimmerman and those around him happy about it. Zimmerman had arthroscopic surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder early this offseason, a procedure that should allow him to return to his natural throwing motion and make his awkward, rigid tosses thing of the past. The Nationals third baseman...

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Haren eager to show injuries, drop in velocity won't hold him back

February 15, 2013, 2:36am

Nationals

Haren eager to show injuries, drop in velocity won't hold him back

VIERA, Fla. - Assuming Mother Nature doesn't play a factor, we should have plenty going on around Nationals camp today. Pitchers and catchers will take to the fields again this morning, with the hurlers who did not take part in bullpen sessions yesterday doing so today. We'll also see a host of guys trickle in throughout the morning and afternoon, as today is the report date for all position players. While three members of the Nationals' rotation got in a bullpen session yesterday, Jordan...

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Eury Perez adds depth to Nationals outfield, speed at Syracuse

February 15, 2013, 5:48am

Nationals

The Nationals were able to sign center fielder Denard Span to be their leadoff hitter and complete their 2013 lineup. One player who got some time with the big club late in 2012 and could also someday fill that role for the Nationals is Eury Perez. The Dominican continued to play well in winter ball, as high Single-A Potomac Nationals manager Brian Daubach said here. Perez did get a call-up late last season during the Nationals' clinching month. With the Nationals, Perez played in 13 games,...

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Weekly Wrap

February 14, 2013, 7:41pm

Nationals

Spring training is here, and baseball is back! MASNsports.com's Dan Kolko is in Viera, Fla., keeping you posted with the latest news surrounding the Nationals. Keep checking his blog, and, for minute-by-minute updates, give him a follow on Twitter. Pitcher Gio Gonzalez spoke to reporters Tuesday, addressing the offseason news that linked him to the Miami-area Biogenesis clinic. The hurler announced that he felt he would be cleared, and he also spent time talking about his decision to play...

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Weekly Wrap

February 07, 2013, 7:07pm

Nationals

With spring training just a few days away, this past week was a rather slow one for the Nationals. However, there were a few minor league signings this week, in addition to positive news regarding recoveries from injuries, that made headlines. The Nats' top pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, Lucas Giolito, is recovering from his Tommy John surgery in August, as he has started tossing a baseball again. Catcher Wilson Ramos tweeted that he was close to being ready to play after he was...

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A bulked-up Harper arrives with lofty personal, team goals

February 14, 2013, 9:41am

Nationals

A bulked-up Harper arrives with lofty personal, team goals

VIERA, Fla. - When Bryce Harper first walked into the Nationals clubhouse this morning, one thing was evident immediately. He's packed on a few pounds. I don't say that in a negative way. It's not like Harper was pounding Krispy Kremes all offseason and now has a gut. Far from it, in fact. He's a mountain of muscle now, with broad shoulders and a toned upper-body. Harper says he put on a good bit of muscle this offseason, bulking up to 230 lbs after being listed at 215 lbs. last season....

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Johnson talks lineup possibilities

February 14, 2013, 12:23pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - During his session with reporters earlier today, Bryce Harper was asked whether he felt moving to a spot in the middle of the batting order would be a normal progression for him. "I hope not. I like the two-spot," Harper replied, before adding that he'd gladly hit anywhere in the Nationals order as long as he remains in the lineup. Davey Johnson doesn't exactly buy that, largely because he says Harper has been telling him something else. While Harper might be keeping his...

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Wilson Ramos: "I feel like I'm on the team again. I'm back"

February 14, 2013, 10:39am

Nationals

Wilson Ramos: "I feel like I'm on the team again. I'm back"

VIERA, Fla. - As Wilson Ramos dropped into his crouch and prepared to receive the first pitch thrown by Zach Duke late this morning, Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty hollered at the 25-year-old catcher from behind the pitcher's mound. "The Tin Man's back!" McCatty shouted, referencing the all-grey gear that Ramos sports behind the plate. It had been a while since Ramos had tossed on his gear and squatted behind the plate. The last time he did so was May 12, when he tore the ACL and...

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Johnson discusses Soriano's absence, reactions from first workout

February 14, 2013, 8:58am

Nationals

Johnson discusses Soriano's absence, reactions from first workout

VIERA, Fla. - As I mentioned earlier, the Nationals have confirmed that closer Rafael Soriano's arrival at camp has been delayed by a visa issue. According to a source, because Soriano has a new employer, his previous visa, which was for five years, needs to be adjusted. While the Nats would obviously prefer to have Soriano in camp, it's still very early. Camp is extended this year because of the World Baseball Classic anyway, and it's not like Soriano hasn't been through this process...

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No sign of Rafael Soriano at Nationals camp (updated twice)

February 14, 2013, 4:41am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals pitchers and catchers are getting ready to take the fields for their first official workout of spring. All of them, that is, except for Rafael Soriano, who has not yet been seen at Nats camp. The deadline for pitchers and catchers to report was midnight Tuesday. Soriano's locker has clearly not been touched since it was assembled by the Nationals' clubhouse staff, and his parking pass still sits on the bottom ledge of the locker. Despite inquiries, team officials...

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Storen learning, growing through his toughest moments

February 13, 2013, 8:17pm

Nationals

Storen learning, growing through his toughest moments

VIERA, Fla. - "The Chief" is making a comeback. Chad Cordero, who spent six seasons with the Expos/Nationals organization and saved 128 games in that time, announced last night on Twitter that he has signed a minor league deal with the Angels. Now 30, Cordero won't be receiving an invitation to big league spring training, according to reports, so his journey back to the majors still has some obstacles. But Cordero, a former All-Star and fan favorite in D.C., has a chance. So you're...

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Rizzo: Gonzalez's situation doesn't intensify search for a starter

February 13, 2013, 10:40am

Nationals

Rizzo: Gonzalez's situation doesn't intensify search for a starter

VIERA, Fla. - We spoke to Gio Gonzalez yesterday about his involvement with Biogenesis, the anti-aging clinic that allegedly supplied performance-enhancing drugs to major league players. Today, we talked to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo about Gonzalez and his future. Because of Major League Baseball's ongoing investigation into Biogenesis and Tony Bosch, who ran the clinic, Rizzo couldn't say too much on Gonzalez and the Nats' plans for their star lefty. Rizzo did say, however, that...

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Notes and quotes from Davey Johnson's first media session this spring

February 13, 2013, 8:39am

Nationals

Notes and quotes from Davey Johnson's first media session this spring

VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson strolled into the home dugout at Space Coast Stadium a bit ago, wearing a blue track suit and sneakers, a smile on his face as the last season of his managerial career has gotten under way. After participating in meetings with coaches and front office members over parts of the last couple of days and taking his physical this morning, the 70-year-old Nationals skipper told stories of his offseason trip to Africa, recounting tales of watching a lion eating a warthog,...

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For Desmond, new training regimen, same baseball mentality

February 12, 2013, 7:14pm

Nationals

For Desmond, new training regimen, same baseball mentality

VIERA, Fla. - While the last few days have consisted of just some light workouts for the players who chose to arrive early to Nationals camp, today marks the first mandatory day in camp for pitchers and catchers. All pitchers and catchers on the roster were expected to report that they were in the area by midnight last night, so as of this morning, we have yet to receive word on whether everyone expected to be here is, in fact, here. That said, I haven't yet heard of any of the dreaded visa...

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Lecroy: Rendon made nice strides in Harrisburg to help him prepare for 2013

February 12, 2013, 4:47pm

Nationals

Lecroy: Rendon made nice strides in Harrisburg to help him prepare for 2013

According to a Houston media outlet during the 2012 season, there were reports that Nationals top prospect Anthony Rendon might not return to the field because of his recovery from an ankle injury. Third baseman Rendon suffered a fractured left ankle early in April for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. But slowly and methodically, Rendon rehabbed that ankle and was able to resume baseball late last season. Double-A Harrisburg Senators manager Matt Lecroy got to see Rendon play for the last...

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A few notes on Strasburg, Rodriguez, Solis

February 12, 2013, 9:24am

Nationals

A few notes on Strasburg, Rodriguez, Solis

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium is starting to become a bit more crowded, as a handful of pitchers have been filing in throughout the morning, checking in with team trainers and coaches, and getting their throwing programs started. Christian Garcia, Matt Purke, Ryan Perry and Ryan Mattheus were among the guys to get in a bullpen session this morning, and Stephen Strasburg also took to one of the mounds out by the minor league fields this morning, throwing his...

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Nats will get lots of love on FOX in 2013 (plus spring training statement)

February 12, 2013, 11:46am

Nationals

Nats will get lots of love on FOX in 2013 (plus spring training statement)

VIERA, Fla. - As part of a recent partnership between MASN and WUSA 9, the Nationals will have 20 regular season games simulcast on Channel 9 in 2013. Nats fans will also be able to catch their squad on FOX a number of times this season. According to