nationals

Nationals ink catcher Hill to minor league deal

June 19, 2012, 11:30am

In an effort to bolster their once deep organizational pool at catcher, the Nationals have signed veteran backstop Koyie Hill to a minor league contract. He will report to Triple-A Syracuse. The 33-year-old Hill became a free agent Monday when he refused an outright assignment by the Cubs to Triple-A Iowa. The Nationals are thin in healthy backstops with Wilson Ramos (season-ending knee surgery), Sandy Leon (ankle sprain) and Carlos Maldonado (back) all on the disabled list. Jesus Flores has...

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Nationals confirm trio of promotions, Perry to move to starter

June 18, 2012, 9:51am

Nationals

Nationals director of player development Doug Harris has confirmed that infielders Justin Bloxom, Zach Walters and Jason Martinson have been promoted. Bloxom and Walters are moving to Double-A Harrisburg and Martinson heads to high Single-A Potomac. Bloxom has hit .259 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs, while Walters has connected for a .269 average with five homers and 24 RBIs. Harris also announced that right-hander Ryan Perry will make the transition from reliever to starter and the Nationals...

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New-look bullpen continues to impress

June 18, 2012, 6:11am

Nationals

Remember when, coming out of spring training, the Nationals used Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez as their two ninth-inning arms out of the bullpen? Those days seem so long ago, don't they? With Drew Storen on the disabled list, Davey Johnson had Lidge and Rodriguez working the back-ends of his "A" and "B" bullpens. Things worked out well at first, as Lidge recorded two saves early in the season while Rodriguez looked like a new man for the first couple weeks of the year. Now, Lidge has...

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GCL Nationals open season today, full roster; Perez, Hood rehab updates

June 18, 2012, 8:43am

Nationals

The Gulf Coast League Nationals, directed by new manager Tripp Keister, open play today against the GCL Marlins. Right-hander Adam Carr and left-hander Josh Smoker are on rehab assignments with the GCL Nats. Double-A Harrisburg outfielder Eury Perez (oblique) is also listed on the roster on a rehab assignment with the GCL club. Meanwhile, a club source confirmed Harrisburg outfielder Destin Hood (wrist) will join short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays on a rehab assignment for Tuesday's...

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What can we take out of the weekend?

June 18, 2012, 5:40am

Nationals

Well, I think it's fair to say this weekend didn't go exactly as the Nationals had hoped. Coming off six straight road wins over American League East teams, the Nats returned home with a chance to make a statement against another red-hot division leader, one with plenty of talent and experience on the big stage. Instead, it was the visiting Yankees who made the statement. The Nats were outscored 16-6 in the Yankees' three-game sweep, made four errors to New York's one and went a combined...

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Johnson concerned about Zimmerman, middle of the order

June 17, 2012, 2:41pm

Nationals

Johnson concerned about Zimmerman, middle of the order

In his opening remarks to the media after today's 4-1 loss to the Yankees, manager Davey Johnson cut right to the chase. He's starting to get worried about the prolonged slump Ryan Zimmerman has been in all season. "Only thing that really concerns me - we've got to get Zim going," Johnson said. "Need to get Zim in a happy place." Johnson's remarks come after yet another hitless game for Zimmerman, his 17th contest without a base knock in 50 games played this season. The Nationals...

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LaRoche after sweep by Yankees: "We got some work to do"

June 17, 2012, 6:32pm

Nationals Orioles

LaRoche after sweep by Yankees: "We got some work to do"

The Nationals rolled back into town after sweeping six in a row on the road. With the Yankees arriving just as hot, there was anticipation the Nats had a chance to make a statement. This statement would not just be to the mid-Atlantic region, but to the nation, if they could compete and beat the team that usually sets the tone for all of Major League Baseball. The Nationals competed for sure, but came up short, scoring just six runs in the series and falling in all three games. Panic time?...

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Ted Leavengood: Not ready for prime time

June 18, 2012, 5:20am

Nationals

Ted Leavengood: Not ready for prime time

Win six in a row, lose three in a row. Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you. Such smug acceptance offers little consolation for Washington baseball fans. The six wins leading into the Yankees series only served to raise expectations. The idea was rampant going into the three-game weekend series that even the vaunted Yankees were fair game for the first-place Nationals. Only it did not turn out that way. The enthusiastic crowds that witnessed the Yankees series had playoff...

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Storen confirms he's on track for All-Star break return

June 17, 2012, 9:35am

Nationals

Storen confirms he's on track for All-Star break return

Right-hander Drew Storen is still on track to return by the All-Star break. Storen has been recovering from elbow surgery to remove a bone chip. He said he would actually like to get back into a few games while the team is at home, right before the break in mid-July, maybe against the Giants or Rockies from July 3-8. Storen said he is still in the building process to get back to being game-ready. He said the adrenaline level for a bullpen session is different from a game in spring training...

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Another quality start, another deficit

June 17, 2012, 11:51am

Nationals

In this series, the Nationals have thrice gotten six strong innings from their starter. Gio Gonzalez allowed three runs over six-plus frames on Friday, Jordan Zimmermann also allowed three runs in six innings yesterday, and today, Edwin Jackson gave up just two runs in six. All three times, the starter has left the game in line for the loss. Today, Jackson gives way to Tom Gorzelanny in the seventh with the Nats trailing 2-1. Washington has managed six hits off Yankees starter Ivan Nova,...

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Nationals Adam LaRoche tells Bryce Harper to "shake it off" after five-strikeout outing

June 16, 2012, 3:01pm

Nationals

It was a particularly rough afternoon at the plate for Bryce Harper. The talented rookie struck out five times against the Yankees in a 5-3, 14-inning loss before a sellout crowd of 41,287 at Nationals Park. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte used his slider to subdue Harper with three consecutive strikeouts. In his final pair of strikeouts, the frustration started to show as Harper had plenty to say to home plate umpire Tim Timmons. In the field, Harper did not miss a beat. He played masterful...

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Roster move coming (with Nats lineup)

June 17, 2012, 8:04am

Nationals

The Nationals will be making a roster move before today's series finale against the Yankees. Reliever Ryan Mattheus is listed on the lineup card among the available relievers for today's game. Mattheus will need to be activated off the disabled list, which he's been on due to plantar fasciitis since late May. Brad Lidge, who has allowed five runs over the last two days, is not listed among the available relievers for today. He was seen meeting with general manager Mike Rizzo this...

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Lidge designated for assignment, Mattheus activated

June 17, 2012, 8:31am

Nationals

Lidge designated for assignment, Mattheus activated

Coming off a lengthy game yesterday and with Brad Lidge's ERA at 9.64, the Nationals have decided to make a move. The 35-year-old Lidge has been designated for assignment, while reliever Ryan Mattheus has been reinstated from the 15-day DL. "The 14-inning game last night forced us to make a bullpen roster move," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "Brad wasn't performing very well. He was very disappointed, and Mattheus is ready to come off the rehab assignment. We thought this was the...

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A quick turnaround

June 17, 2012, 6:43am

Nationals

I'd like to start by wishing a Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, especially my dad, who currently gets his baseball fix by working as an usher at Nats Park. When it was clear my career as a baseball player wasn't going to take off, (strangely enough, there isn't much of a need for scrawny infielders with an average glove and no power), he made sure to tell me not to give up on my dream of working in sports. Thanks, Pops. It's not easy playing a 1:30 p.m. game the day after a...

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RHP Ryan Mattheus reinstated from DL, RHP Brad Lidge designated for assignment

June 17, 2012, 8:06am

Nationals

RHP Ryan Mattheus reinstated from DL, RHP Brad Lidge designated for assignment

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus from the 15-Day Disabled List and designated right-handed pitcher Brad Lidge for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Mattheus missed the last 24 games with a plantar fascia strain (left foot). The 28-year-old went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA (3 ER/3.0 IP) in three rehab appearances with Double-A Harrisburg and...

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Nats discuss apparent blown call in eighth inning

June 16, 2012, 3:12pm

Nationals

Nats discuss apparent blown call in eighth inning

In the eighth inning of today's 14-inning marathon, the Nationals nearly took the lead. In fact, it sure looked like they did take the lead. Two batters after Ian Desmond's two-out home run tied the game in the eighth, Tyler Moore came burning around third base, heading for home on Adam LaRoche's pinch-hit single to right. Just as Yankees catcher Russell Martin received a throw from right fielder Dewayne Wise, Moore dove (or should I say bellyflopped) head-first towards the plate. Moore...

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Another rough outing for Lidge

June 16, 2012, 3:46pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper declined to talk to reporters after his 0-for-7, five-strikeout performance. It was a rough day for the rookie, almost certainly the roughest of his brief major league career. It was also a rough day for reliever Brad Lidge, who has been stuck with two really poor stat lines so far in this series. Last night, Lidge allowed three runs over one-third of an inning after giving up one hit and two walks (one of which was intentional). He was on the mound when the game got away from...

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Things don't break Nats' way in crucial seventh inning

June 15, 2012, 7:50pm

Nationals

Things don't break Nats' way in crucial seventh inning

If you didn't catch tonight's game, you might check the box score and think the Yankees demolished the Nationals in the opener of their much-anticipated three-game series. The Nats don't feel that was the case. "It wasn't like we got crushed tonight," shortstop Ian Desmond said. "The score probably says so, but we were in the game. Just like I said, a couple mistakes." Some of those mistakes came early, when the Nats left two runners on in the first and then only managed one run...

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Desmond wipes the slate clean in the eighth (Nats fall in 14 innings)

June 16, 2012, 11:53am

Nationals

Desmond wipes the slate clean in the eighth (Nats fall in 14 innings)

Andy Pettitte leaves, and things start turning for the Nationals. Old Man Pettitte went seven strong innings, allowing just two runs and striking out six, and he left with a 3-2 lead. Three batters after Pettitte exited, the game was tied. Ian Desmond's 10th home run of the season has knotted this contest at 3-3. He took a 2-2 pitch from Cory Wade and demolished it, sending it at least 10 rows deep into the left field seats. The 10 homers ties a career high for Desmond. He now has a mere...

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Bullpen updates on Mattheus, Storen and Rodriguez

June 16, 2012, 7:57am

Nationals

Bullpen updates on Mattheus, Storen and Rodriguez

Nationals right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus said everything went well with his foot in his latest rehab game at Double-A Harrisburg. He is feeling no complications as he recovers from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Mattheus threw 26 pitches of scoreless ball over one inning. A club source on hand said Mattheus "looked great." Mattheus told me he will have two more rehab assignments on back-to-back days to see how the foot reacts to a pair of games in a row. If everything goes as...