nationals

Gonzalez "very confident" he'll be cleared despite link to PED clinic

February 12, 2013, 6:15am

VIERA, Fla. - After arriving here yesterday and taking part in a workout at Nationals camp this morning, Gio Gonzalez met with reporters and repeated the same message he delivered in a statement a couple weeks ago: He has never taken performance-enhancing drugs. Gonzalez talked with reporters for 15 minutes just a bit ago in the home dugout at Space Coast Stadium, and said that he's fully cooperated with Major League Baseball's investigation into his relationship with Biogenesis, a...

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Gonzalez discusses his decision to play in World Baseball Classic

February 12, 2013, 6:54am

Nationals

Gonzalez discusses his decision to play in World Baseball Classic

VIERA, Fla. - After fielding five minutes of questions

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Two different approaches to the World Baseball Classic

February 11, 2013, 8:04pm

Nationals

Two different approaches to the World Baseball Classic

VIERA, Fla. - Danny Espinosa was planning on participating in the World Baseball Classic. He had intended to suit up for Team Mexico and was looking forward to wearing a jersey with the Mexican flag, honoring his parents' heritage in the process. That won't be happening. Espinosa told reporters yesterday that he has decided to skip the WBC and will instead stay with the Nationals for the entirety of spring training. The 25-year-old learned early this offseason that he played out the end...

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As pitchers and catchers report, some mound notes to start off spring training

February 12, 2013, 5:53am

Nationals Orioles

As pitchers and catchers report, some mound notes to start off spring training

As pitchers and catchers report to camps in Florida and Arizona, here are two predictions for each of the local nines: Zach Britton will be the Orioles' fifth starter and the Nationals will not trade Drew Storen, the closer who has been unseated by Rafael Soriano. The first four in the Orioles' rotation will probably be Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen, Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez, with the No. 5 spot up for grabs. Britton, who was injured last season, will win the job because all he needs...

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Racing Presidents head west for first trip to Mount Rushmore

February 12, 2013, 3:01am

Nationals

Racing Presidents head west for first trip to Mount Rushmore

For the first time ever, the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents - George, Tom, Abe, Teddy and the newest member, Bill - will celebrate Presidents Day from America's definitive presidential landmark when they visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. To kick off the Bill-Teddy rivalry, the two Presidents will "race" from D.C. to Mount Rushmore beginning Friday, February 15 and join the other Racing Presidents at the monument on Presidents Day. Fans can cast their ballots...

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Ramos nearly fully healthy, gunning for starting job

February 11, 2013, 12:17pm

Nationals

Ramos nearly fully healthy, gunning for starting job

VIERA, Fla. - Nine months after suffering a gruesome injury to his right knee that required two major surgeries, Wilson Ramos is back at Nationals camp feeling almost completely healthy. Ramos tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee in a May 12 game against the Reds last season, ending his season and leading to months and months of grueling rehab. You wouldn't know that Ramos sustained the injury by watching him these days, however. Now wearing jersey No. 40, the burly catcher walks...

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Nats giving Gonzalez his space (plus clubhouse notes)

February 11, 2013, 11:17am

Nationals

Nats giving Gonzalez his space (plus clubhouse notes)

VIERA, Fla. - I've got a couple more locker-positioning notes for you. Bryce Harper, who last spring was given a wide locker normally reserved for veterans only to see Jayson Werth take over half of it with his own stuff, has a big locker again this year. I'm guessing Werth won't be pushing his weight around this spring when it comes to Harper's locker, however. I'd say the kid earned a wide locker all to himself with his National League Rookie of the Year effort last season. The Nats'...

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Strasburg "100 percent over" last season, eager to enter 2013 without limits

February 11, 2013, 9:11am

Nationals

Strasburg "100 percent over" last season, eager to enter 2013 without limits

VIERA, Fla. - The vast majority of pitchers are already in camp at this point, and with the exception of non-roster invitee Chris Snyder, every catcher is already here ahead of tomorrow's report date for pitchers and catchers. Gio Gonzalez is set to arrive tomorrow, and will speak with reporters about his link to the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis, which is being investigated into its reported dealing of performance-enhancing drugs. Gonzalez's locker is right next to Stephen Strasburg, his...

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Zimmermann talks contract negotiations, Purke talks about his health

February 11, 2013, 10:39am

Nationals

Zimmermann talks contract negotiations, Purke talks about his health

VIERA, Fla. - Greetings from the so-called "Panera Bureau" here in Viera, a popular spot for beat writers looking to grab a bite while working. If you're in town in the next couple weeks and swing by the local Panera around lunch time, you're bound to see a couple of us pounding away on our laptops. If I make fewer than 15 appearances in here during my time in Viera, I'll be shocked. Jordan Zimmermann has been in town for a handful of days now, even though he technically doesn't have...

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Nats sign Will Ohman to minor league deal, plus early notes

February 11, 2013, 6:55am

Nationals

Nats sign Will Ohman to minor league deal, plus early notes

VIERA, Fla. - A whole host of Nationals players and staffers are at Space Coast Stadium today, getting in some throwing, taking some light batting practice and getting settled in for spring training. Among the players here already are Jordan Zimmermann, Craig Stammen, Ross Detwiler, Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, Stephen Strasburg, Nathan Karns, Wilson Ramos, Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, Jhonatan Solano, Sandy Leon, Roger Bernadina and Zach Duke. Davey Johnson is in the house, as well, after...

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MASN partnering with WUSA 9 to simulcast 20 games in 2013

February 11, 2013, 3:18am

Nationals

MASN partnering with WUSA 9 to simulcast 20 games in 2013

VIERA, Fla. - Coming off a 98-win season and the first National League East title in team history, anticipation and excitement for Nationals baseball has never been higher. And now, all Nats fans living in the Washington, D.C., area, even those without MASN, will be able to catch the action. MASN and WUSA 9 are partnering to simulcast 20 MASN-produced Nationals games on WUSA 9 TV in D.C., during the upcoming 2013 season. The slate of games on Channel 9 will begin with the Nats' April 1...

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Meyers' deception could be key change of pace

February 11, 2013, 3:10am

Nationals

Meyers' deception could be key change of pace

The Nationals got Brad Meyers back from the Yankees, who took him in the Rule 5 draft and then returned him. Meyers pitched only one game last year after an early-season workout injury shelved his season. Now he is good to go and is excited to be back with the Nationals' organization. Triple-A Syracuse manager Tony Beasley had Meyers at Double-A Harrisburg a couple of years ago for a while before Meyers was called up to the Chiefs. Beasley said Meyers doesn't have the classic,...

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Setting up shop

February 10, 2013, 12:40pm

Nationals

MELBOURNE, Fla. - After a little bit of a bumpy flight and a 55 minute wait in line to get my rental car, I'm all set up in my hotel room and ready for spring training to get going. I've traded in my winter coat for a pair of sunglasses, and my freezing cold hands for a sweaty back. Too much information? Yeah, I figured as much. Sorry about that. I made a point to swing by the Nationals' spring facilities at Space Coast Stadium in Viera before getting settled at my hotel, but the place...

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Gio Gonzalez to pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic

February 09, 2013, 12:20pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez to pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic

Gio Gonzalez isn't shying away from the spotlight after being linked to a Miami-area anti-aging clinic accused of dealing performance-enhancing drugs. USA Baseball has announced that Gonzalez, a Hialeah, Fla., native, has accepted an invitation to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. The Nationals now have three players on their 40-man roster who are on the provisional roster for teams competing in the WBC; second baseman Danny Espinosa is set to play for Team Mexico and...

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Off to Viera we go

February 10, 2013, 3:34am

Nationals

Some people consider the day after the Super Bowl to be the beginning of baseball season. Personally, I consider the beginning of baseball season the day that I first hear the click-clack of cleats against the dugout floor and the loud pop of a ball settling into a mitt. That day is today. I'm taking off for Viera, Fla., and Nationals spring training in just a couple of hours, leaving behind the offseason and 20-degree temperatures in place of long, hardball-filled days and sunny...

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The Nationals' camp roster

February 09, 2013, 5:36am

Nationals

My remaining hours in the mid-Atlantic region are dwindling. I leave for Viera, Fla., and Nationals spring training tomorrow morning, meaning today is my final day to run errands, pay bills and pack seven weeks' worth of clothes into two suitcases. OK, so there's a laundry room in my hotel, and I don't actually need seven weeks' worth of clothes. But I really hate doing laundry, and as a result, I'm a self-admitted over-packer. I'm also a self-admitted procrastinator, leaving me with...

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A few arms to keep an eye on

February 08, 2013, 5:54am

Nationals

We all know the major storylines involving the Nationals' pitchers this spring. How will Gio Gonzalez react to all the off-the-field issues regarding his linkage to Biogenesis, the anti-aging clinic that allegedly supplied performance-enhancing drugs to major league players? Can Dan Haren stay healthy and showcase the form he displayed over his last seven starts last season, when he pitched to a 2.76 ERA? How many questions about "The Shutdown" will Stephen Strasburg field before getting...

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Nats announce promotions notes and ticket info

February 08, 2013, 11:12am

Nationals

Nats announce promotions notes and ticket info

I've got another jersey number switcheroo to report. Wilson Ramos will make the switch from No. 3 to No. 40, which was his number in winter ball, according to his publicist. Ramos had only three home runs last season while wearing No. 3, as his torn right ACL and meniscus cut short his season. I bet he wouldn't mind too much if he hit 40 home runs this season wearing No. 40. The Nationals announced today that single-game tickets for this season will go on sale to the general public on...

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Nationals want Goodwin to focus on bunting, baserunning

February 08, 2013, 8:13am

Nationals

Left-handed-hitting Brian Goodwin made a big jump last season from low Single-A Hagerstown to Double-A Harrisburg. The 22-year-old continued his baseball education in the Arizona Fall League and was a standout in the Rising Stars game. Goodwin homered, doubled and had two RBIs in the East's 9-4 win over the West. Harrisburg manager Matt Lecroy said the number of reps, at-bats and games Goodwin played last season against good competition were invaluable in the youngster's quest to get to the...

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Nationals set single-game ticket sales, announce preliminary promotional schedule

February 08, 2013, 9:13am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced today that single game tickets for the 2013 season will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets may be purchased online at nationals.com/tickets, by calling 888.632.NATS (6287) or by visiting the Nationals Park Main Box Office at Half and N Streets, SE*. 2013 Season Plan Holders and Nationals Insiders will have the opportunity to purchase single game tickets before they go on sale to the public through exclusive...