Solano activated, Espinosa gets a day off

Solano activated, Espinosa gets a day off
The Nationals have officially called up catcher Jhonatan Solano from Triple-A Syracuse, giving them a third catcher on the 25-man roster and providing some insurance in case Jesus Flores isn't able to return from a hamstring injury as quickly as hoped. Solano, who batted .250 with two doubles, two RBIs and eight runs scored in 13 games with Syracuse this season, will wear No. 23. The 26-year-old threw out 40 percent of runners trying to steal (4-of-10) for the Chiefs this season Carlos...

Nationals' Morse batting third as designated hitter tonight in Potomac rehab tilt

Nationals' Morse batting third as designated hitter tonight in Potomac rehab tilt
The Potomac Nationals have announced their lineup for tonight's 7::05 p.m. matchup with Myrtle Beach. Michael Morse bats third: Blake Kelso 3B Adrian Sanchez 2B Michael Morse DH David Freitas C Ricky Hague SS Justin Bloxom 1B Michael Taylor CF JP Ramirez RF Kevin Keyes LF LHP Matt Grace (2-6, 6.70) His future rehab schedule is predicated on how batting practice and the game goes tonight. I will have updates throughout (twitter: @bkerr32) and postgame beast-blog.

Nationals recall C Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse

Nationals recall C Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today recalled catcher Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Solano, who will wear No. 23 when he joins the Nationals for tonight's game at Miami, batted .250 with two doubles, two RBIs and eight runs scored in 13 games this season with Syracuse. The 26-year-old gunned down 40 percent (4 of 10) of would-be basestealers for the...

Nats can't solve Hamels, fall to Phillies 4-1

Nats can't solve Hamels, fall to Phillies 4-1
PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals have won 10 series this season. They still only have one sweep, and that was of the two-game variety. For the ninth time this season, the Nationals entered a series finale with a chance to earn a sweep and came up short. They lost to the Phillies 4-1, with Cole Hamels again cruising through an outing against Nats hitters. He held them scoreless over eight innings, allowing just four hits and three walks and striking out eight. The Nats had chances, but Hamels was...

Nationals' NL East dominance a good sign for pennant run

Nationals' NL East dominance a good sign for pennant run
The Nationals have now won every series they have played against National League East opponents, currently 10-3 versus Atlanta (2-0), Philadelphia (4-2), Miami (2-0) and the N.Y. Mets (2-1). This is a good time to be playing well because the schedule is all within the division for two weeks. The Nationals are in the middle of 15 straight games against NL East combatants. After tonight's finale at Atlanta, they go to Miami for three games beginning Monday afternoon. Next week, the Nationals...

Will Yoder: Nobody's second-guessing Gonzalez deal now

Will Yoder: Nobody's second-guessing Gonzalez deal now
When the Nationals traded four major prospects for Gio Gonzalez this winter, many fans in D.C. were hesitant about the potential reward such a risky move could bring. Gonzalez, 26, had two All-Star caliber seasons under his belt, and was one of the best left-handed strikeout pitchers in baseball, but some wondered about his potential to be an elite pitcher moving into the future. While he had succeeded in 2010 and 2011 with Oakland, he had also allowed more walks than any other pitcher during...

Harrisburg's Hood placed on disabled list, Kobernus out with thumb injury

Harrisburg's Hood placed on disabled list, Kobernus out with thumb injury
Double-A Harrisburg Senators outfielder Jeff Kobernus. Lecroy said they are watching Kobernus' status and being careful with him as well. "Kobernus has been bothered with a thumb (injury)," Lecroy said. "He hasn't played the last four games. We are resting him on the precautionary side to make sure he is healthy when he comes back. "He has had a solid year so far. The way he prepares every day for each game is just showing his maturity as a player. Hopefully, when we get him back, he...

Moore optioned to Syracuse, Solano to be recalled

Moore optioned to Syracuse, Solano to be recalled
The Nationals made a roster move after today's 5-3 loss to the Miami Marlins, optioning first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Triple-A Syracuse. They are expected to recall catcher Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse before Tuesday's game to serve share duties with catcher Carlos Maldonado, who went 0-for-4 in today's defeat. The only other catcher on the active roster is Jesus Flores, who left Sunday's game with a mild right hamstring strain. The impending arrival of the 26-year-old Solano...

Who says pitchers can't hit? (Nats trail 5-3 after seven)

Who says pitchers can't hit? (Nats trail 5-3 after seven)
What is it with Nationals starting pitchers with a bat in their hands? Jordan Zimmermann became the latest starting hurler to homer, crushing a Carlos Zambrano pitch to left-center for a 1-0 lead over the Marlins in the third inning. It was his first career homer. Last night, you'll recall, Gio Gonzalez - who only had to wield a bat in anger in a rare interleague start as an Oakland A before this year - ripped a sacrifice fly that tied the game at 2-2. It was his first career RBI. Last...

Nationals not waiting til next year with latest moves

Nationals not waiting til next year with latest moves
The Nationals are signaling with their latest moves that this is the year. In the past, if a starter labored or went into a bad two- or three-start slump, the Nationals would stand pat, not able to make a significant change because they did not have the depth or alternative to solve the problem instantly. But through the work of ownership, general manager Mike Rizzo and the coaching staff, the Nats have shown they will make a move. Phenom Bryce Harper was called up earlier than most people...

Gonzalez, hot bats help Nats break out brooms

Gonzalez, hot bats help Nats break out brooms
Even as the Nationals were winning at a first-place pace, their quiet bats were a mild concern into early May. The Nats scored at least five runs just seven times in their first 31 games, riding their pitching to a 19-12 start. Since then, Washington has scored five or more 10 times in 16 contests with the latest offensive outburst carrying the team to a 7-2 win Sunday night in Atlanta. The Nats overcame an early 2-0 deficit, tying the Braves with two in the fourth and then taking the lead...

Nationals option Tyler Moore to Syracuse

Nationals option Tyler Moore to Syracuse
Following today's game at Miami, the Washington Nationals optioned infielder Tyler Moore to Syracuse of the International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Moore, 25, batted .158 (3-for-19) in 12 games this season with Washington.

Maldonado in for Flores as Nats open series in Miami (updated)

Maldonado in for Flores as Nats open series in Miami (updated)
The Nationals get their first look at brand-new Marlins Park in Miami today, after playing an ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball" game in Atlanta last night. It's a quick turnaround made easier by the fact that Memorial Day dawns with the Nats in first place in the NL East. The only change in today's lineup is the presence of catcher Carlos Maldonado instead of Jesus Flores behind the plate. Flores sustained a mild right hamstring strain in the finale of the Braves series, and gets today off,...

Nationals select Brown from Triple-A, place Tracy on DL

Nationals select Brown from Triple-A, place Tracy on DL
The Washington Nationals today selected outfielder Corey Brown from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed infielder Chad Tracy on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to May 27, with a right adductor strain. Additionally, Washington transferred outfielder Jayson Werth to the 60-Day DL. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Brown batted .297 with nine doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 30 RBI and...

Ted Leavengood: A different kind of rolling thunder

Ted Leavengood: A different kind of rolling thunder
Every Memorial Day weekend, the sound of the Harleys resonates in Washington, D.C., as they circle the city. Rolling Thunder has become an iconic part of somber Memorial Day remembrances across the city. There was, however, a very different rolling thunder that swept through Atlanta this weekend, as the Nationals pushed 22 runs across the plate at Turner Field over three days to steamroll the Braves. The bats up and down the lineup took part, as clutch hit after clutch hit rained down...

Wang to rotation, Detwiler to bullpen

Wang to rotation, Detwiler to bullpen
After last night's game, Davey Johnson told reporters in Atlanta that Chien-Ming Wang will move into the Nationals' rotation and Ross Detwiler will shift to the bullpen. Wang has made one relief appearance this season after missing nearly all of the first two months because of a strained hamstring. The 32-year-old allowed one run in three innings Friday at Atlanta. He is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Detwiler's season got off to an excellent start, as the...

Lombardozzi leading off, Gonzalez starting as Nats seek sweep

Lombardozzi leading off, Gonzalez starting as Nats seek sweep
Steve Lombardozzi is back in the Nationals' lineup after not playing Saturday, earning his fifth start in eight contests. Lombardozzi owns a team-best .310 batting average to go with eight runs and five RBIs. Gio Gonzalez is on the mound as the Nats look to close out a sweep of the Braves. Gonzalez can overtake Stephen Strasburg for the team strikeouts lead. The left-hander has fanned 69 on the season, which stands one behind Strasburg, and enters the night 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA. Gonzalez...

Another crack at Komatsu?

Another crack at Komatsu?
The Nationals lamented losing outfielder Erik Komatsu to the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, posturing that he was an important piece of organizational depth. Now, they might have another crack at reacquiring the 24-year-old, who came to Washington from the Brewers in exchange for utility man Jerry Hairston Jr., last July 30. This morning, the Twins designated Komatsu for assignment to open up a roster spot, meaning he will have to pass through waivers in order...

Zimmerman hit solidifies 7-4 Nationals win in Atlanta

Zimmerman hit solidifies 7-4 Nationals win in Atlanta
It has not been the start Ryan Zimmerman wanted to have this season. Recovering from an injury and mustering only eight extra-base hits, his average has hovered below .250 in 30 games. You could tell the veteran was waiting for a game or an at-bat to break out of it. Baseball is a game of opportunity. That chance knocked on the door in the latter stages Friday night in Atlanta. Zimmerman had the answer. Braves starter Tim Hudson got into trouble in the seventh inning. Down 4-3 with two outs,...

Lombardozzi capitalizing on increased role

Lombardozzi capitalizing on increased role
Not so slowly, Steve Lombardozzi's story is becoming more than a feel-good local angle. As Lombardozzi continues to perform, his role with the Nationals appears to be increasing. The Maryland native was back in the lineup Friday in Atlanta, leading off and playing left field for his third start in four games and fourth in six contests. He had started just 13 of the team's first 39 games this season. The versatile 23-year-old has played second, third, short and left for the Nats so far this...