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Club source: Triple-A prospect Tyler Moore to play left field in "near future"

April 14, 2012, 2:05pm

The Tyler Moore-to-the-outfield experience is about to begin. MASNsports.com has learned that Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs prospect Tyler Moore will switch from first base to the outfield for some games in the "near future." According to a club source, Moore will play left field. The exact game or games the power hitting prospect will assume his new position is still to be determined and the move to the outfield is not considered a permanent adjustment. Moore is off to a scorching start with...

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Johnson confident Flores can deliver as best backup catcher in the league

April 14, 2012, 11:27am

Nationals

Johnson confident Flores can deliver as best backup catcher in the league

Nationals manager Davey Johnson has felt since the beginning of spring training that Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores would share catching responsibilities. Ramos would get the lion's share of the starts, but Flores would also play more than on a token basis. The Ramos/Flores catching depth is a big strength for the Nationals this season. Both players are healthy and both are capable of breaking out a little bit. Both are capable of hitting home runs. Both call great games and have excellent...

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LaRoche gives Nats lead over Reds

April 14, 2012, 1:20pm

Nationals

In his 43 games played last season, Adam LaRoche had 15 RBIs. This season, in nine games, LaRoche already has 10 runs batted in. The Nationals first baseman added to his team-high RBI totals with a two-run double in the bottom of the third inning, giving Washington a 3-1 lead. LaRoche is now hitting .324 on the season and has exactly one-third of the Nationals' 30 RBIs this season. Think for a second about where this team would be through the first week and a half of the season without...

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Nationals' Jayson gets it done on Friday the 13th

April 13, 2012, 9:13pm

Nationals

When Jayson Werth saw the sharp ground ball get through the infield, allowing the game-winning run to touch home, he tossed his bat aside, left the arm extended for a second and casually trotted down to first base. After 13 innings of minimal hits and missed offensive opportunities, was that the look of relief? "That was let's go home," Werth said. "Didn't want to go home without the win, though, that's for sure. You play that long and to lose, that stinks." Kristina Akra talks to...

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Nats' lineup has Ankiel in center, hitting seventh

April 14, 2012, 10:51am

Nationals

Nats' lineup has Ankiel in center, hitting seventh

Rick Ankiel will make his 2012 debut this afternoon against the Reds after missing the first eight games of the season due to a left quad injury. The 32-year-old will bat seventh today and play center field after hitting .400 with three home runs during his rehab assignment. Ankiel said the quad is feeling good and he's ready to get back out and rejoin his teammates at the major league level. "The last few days, the first time I played nine, I felt like I was 100 percent then, so every day...

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Ankiel reinstated from DL, Carroll designated for assignment

April 14, 2012, 9:23am

Nationals

Ankiel reinstated from DL, Carroll designated for assignment

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated center fielder Rick Ankiel from the 15-Day Disabled List and designated outfielder Brett Carroll for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ankiel, 32, was originally placed on the 15-Day Disabled List (left quad) on April 3, retroactive to March 28. In eight games during his rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg (four games), Single-A...

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Nady shines as Nationals strong bench again shows its new-found strength

April 13, 2012, 8:31pm

Nationals

Nationals outfielder Xavier Nady was hoping for the call Friday. Just like he was hoping for a call few months back when the Nationals called him to spring training. With the team struggling to get anything off of Reds starter Bronson Arroyo, the door opened slightly when lefty and former Nationals' property Bill Bray was called on to pitch with one out in the bottom of the eighth and Cincinnati leading, 1-0. Manager Davey Johnson had selected left-handed batter Chad Tracy to face Arroyo....

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Words of wisdom from Hall of Famer helped Davey Johnson mold his pitchers of today

April 13, 2012, 2:16pm

Nationals

Words of wisdom from Hall of Famer helped Davey Johnson mold his pitchers of today

"Nats Xtra" analyst Ray Knight talked on air last week about the Nationals' starting pitching staff in 2012 and how they could have at least three starters with the possibility of throwing 200 or more innings this season. Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson add up to a trio that could combine for well over 600 innings this campaign, something that has recently been unheard of from the Nationals. After all, southpaw John Lannan was the best last year, reaching 184 2/3...

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Forget the slow starts, LaRoche is in a zone

April 13, 2012, 2:43pm

Nationals

Forget the slow starts, LaRoche is in a zone

What's the difference between the 2012 Adam LaRoche and the Adam LaRoche that we've seen around this time in previous seasons? "He isn't struggling," manager Davey Johnson deadpanned. Well, yeah. There's that. LaRoche, typically a slow starter, has opened this season on a tear, hitting .345 with two homers and eight RBIs. He's tied for sixth in the majors in both homers and RBIs, at times, it seems like he's single-handedly kept the Nationals' offense afloat, with yesterday's...

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Johnson talks after Nationals' 2-1 win in 13 innings

April 13, 2012, 8:41pm

Nationals

Before we get to the fun stuff from another walk-off win, there's a roster move to pass along. The Nationals designated infielder Brett Carroll for assignment after the game, making room for Rick Ankiel on the 25-man roster. Ankiel will be activated from the disabled list and play tomorrow against the Reds. When manager Davey Johnson sat down for his postgame press conference, he let out a sigh and cracked a smile. "Where do you want to begin?" he said. Davey Johnson meets with the media...

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Can Zimmermann get a little help, please? (we're heading to extras)

April 13, 2012, 5:04pm

Nationals

Can Zimmermann get a little help, please? (we're heading to extras)

The Nationals' hitters have to feel terrible for Jordan Zimmermann. Time and again, the guy goes out and pitches his butt off, and time and again, he doesn't get any run support. Zimmermann has left tonight's ballgame after yet another stellar outing, and leaves on the hook for yet another tough-luck loss. The righty went seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 100 pitches, 71 for strikes, and leaves on the wrong end of a 1-0...

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And we keep on playing (Werth wins it in the 13th)

April 13, 2012, 6:27pm

Nationals

And we keep on playing (Werth wins it in the 13th)

We're going to the 12th here at Nationals Park, as the Nats and Reds are still locked in a 1-1 tie. The two teams have combined for just the two runs and nine hits through 11. The Reds have failed to score since the fifth, and haven't recorded a hit the last six innings, either. The Nats, on the other hand, are now 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and have wasted an opportunity to bring in the game-winning run off typically-wild Reds righty Alfredo Simon for the second straight...

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Ankiel to return tomorrow, serve as primary center fielder

April 13, 2012, 1:28pm

Nationals

Ankiel to return tomorrow, serve as primary center fielder

Rick Ankiel has rejoined the Nationals after a week-long rehab assignment as he works back from a lingering quad injury, and the veteran center fielder is set to come off the DL and enter the Nats lineup tomorrow. Manager Davey Johnson said that Ankiel took part in a team workout this afternoon and "looks good to go." "He's in great shape," Johnson said. "He had a great rehab program. Did awfully well. Talked to him in the training room earlier. He's feeling fine." Ankiel hit .400...

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The streak is over

April 13, 2012, 4:21pm

Nationals

The Nationals entered tonight's game with their starting pitchers having thrown 19 consecutive scoreless innings. That streak reached 23 before coming to an end tonight in the fifth inning. The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the fifth after Jordan Zimmermann allowed a double to Willie Harris (remember him?) leading off the inning, and then Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo drove Harris home with a sac fly. Gio Gonzalez (seven innings), Stephen Strasburg (six innings) and Ross Detwiler (five...

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Runners on base, but not runners crossing the plate

April 13, 2012, 11:32am

Nationals

Runners on base, but not runners crossing the plate

As a team, the Nationals have 61 hits through the season's first week, a total which is fourth-best in the majors. Ian Desmond is hitting .406 out of the leadoff spot, Danny Espinosa has a .367 on-base percentage out of the two-hole and the Nats are giving themselves plenty of chances to drive in runs. They're just missing out on opportunities to do so in bunches. The Nationals have gone just 3-of-16 with three walks when they've come up with the bases loaded this season, and in 17 plate...

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Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's 'Wrecking Ball' World Tour comes to Nationals Park

April 13, 2012, 12:27pm

Nationals

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band announced today that they will perform at Nationals Park - home of the Washington Nationals - on Friday, September 14 as an extension of their 2012 'Wrecking Ball' World Tour. Tickets and parking will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m., online at www.tickets.com and by phone at 888.632.6287. The show will be held rain or shine and will be promoted by Live Nation. "We are excited to welcome Bruce Springsteen & the E Street...

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Springsteen to bring Wrecking Ball Tour to Nationals Park on Sept. 14

April 13, 2012, 8:03am

Nationals

If you can withstand the Nationals' early-season offensive funk, you're guaranteed a bunch of hits and an error-free performance at Nationals Park on Friday, Sept. 14. And, yes, I know full well the Nationals are playing in Atlanta that evening. According to this blog post at USAToday.com, Nationals Park is among a series of stadiums that will play host later this year to iconic rocker Bruce Springsteen. The Boss is scheduled to bring his Wrecking Ball Tour to Nationals Park on Sept. 14, a...

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Today's Reds-Nationals lineups

April 13, 2012, 11:40am

Nationals

Manager Davey Johnson's lineup for tonight's game against the Reds has Mark DeRosa back in left field, hitting sixth. Jordan Zimmermann takes the hill, hoping for his first win of 2012. Here are the lineups for both teams: Reds CF Drew Subbs SS Wilson Valdez 1B Joey Votto 3B Scott Rolen RF Jay Bruce LF Ryan Ludwig 2B Willie Harris C Ryan Hanigan P Bronson Arroyo Nationals SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche RF Jayson Werth LF Mark DeRosa CF Roger Bernadina C...

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For starters, Nats' rotation dominating

April 13, 2012, 5:44am

Nationals

A lot has changed for the Nationals this season. They have a new sense of optimism, five legitimate quality starting pitchers and a deep back end of the bullpen with a number of power arms. But not everything's changed. Teddy Roosevelt still can't win a race. Those hoping the 2012 home opener would serve as Teddy's first ever win were left disappointed yesterday, when Tom took home the W after a battling it out with Teddy down the stretch. "What's the poor guy got to do to get a...

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Zimmerman knows what Morse faces next two months

April 13, 2012, 7:46am

Nationals

Zimmerman knows what Morse faces next two months

Nationals outfielder Michael Morse will be shut down from baseball activities for at least six weeks as he recovers from reaggravating the lat injury that has forced him to miss the start of the 2012 baseball season. Morse will be reevaluated after six weeks, and if everything checks out, he will start a rehab program with games. That would peg a possible return in June or just before the All-Star break. Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman missed 58 games last season with an abdominal...