nationals

Tyler Moore focused on his speed and footwork in outfield defense

March 20, 2012, 6:13am

Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore, the future heart of the Nationals' order, could be side-by-side in the Triple-A outfield for a few games this season. The Nationals want Harper to play a lot of center field while at Triple-A Syracuse. That would give Harper significant experience at all three outfield positions, dating back to March 2011. Updated: A Nationals source said they anticipate Moore will play mostly at first base, but he could see a few games in the outfield. During instructional...

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Lee County votes to pursue Nationals for spring training

March 20, 2012, 10:46am

Nationals

Lee County, Fla., commissioners voted this morning to enter into negotiations with the Nationals that could lead to the club moving from its current spring training facility following the 2013 Grapefruit League season and relocating from Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., to City of Palms Park across the state in Fort Myers. According to the Naples Daily News, the county's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pursue the Nationals, who would join the American League's Minnesota Twins...

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Rizzo: Harper could be Nats' long-term answer in center field

March 20, 2012, 2:53pm

Nationals

Rizzo: Harper could be Nats' long-term answer in center field

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Just prior to first pitch here tonight, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo met with reporters to discuss the decision to option outfielder Bryce Harper to Triple-A Syracuse. Rizzo said that he and the rest of the Nationals brass were impressed with what they saw from Harper in spring, but wanted to give him a chance to refine his skills in the minors before getting a chance to play every day in the bigs. "We felt that he could use the at-bats down at Triple-A,"...

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Nats expect Storen back soon

March 20, 2012, 3:40pm

Nationals

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - It's been nearly two weeks since Drew Storen last threw in a Grapefruit League game, but the Nationals say their closer is fine. He's just battling a case of strep throat and some soreness which the Nats say is normal. Storen has thrown just two innings this spring, his last coming March 7. "Other than the usual pitching soreness that you have during spring training, he's fine," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "He's a little under the weather the last four or...

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Johnson committed to Desmond, Espinosa atop lineup

March 20, 2012, 4:56am

Nationals

Johnson committed to Desmond, Espinosa atop lineup

VIERA, Fla. - If you've seen the lineups Davey Johnson has been writing up this spring, you've probably noticed that the Nationals manager has been experimenting with shortstop Ian Desmond as his leadoff hitter and second baseman Danny Espinosa in the two-hole. Three weeks into Grapefruit League games, it's no longer an experiment. It's officially how the top of the lineup will be constructed come opening day. "I'm not auditioning," Johnson said. "I told them the other day, 'You guys...

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Notes on the rest of the cuts

March 19, 2012, 12:13pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Oh yeah, Bryce Harper wasn't the only guy cut from the Nationals' big league roster yesterday. The other three haven't gotten quite as much attention, for whatever reason. Not exactly sure why. In addition to Harper, the Nationals also optioned first baseman Tyler Moore and catcher Jhonatan Solano to Triple-A Syracuse yesterday, and reassigned infielder Mark Teahen to minor league camp. It's important to note that just because a player has been optioned to a certain...

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Like it or not, Nats handling Harper the right way

March 19, 2012, 5:23am

Nationals

Like it or not, Nats handling Harper the right way

VIERA, Fla. - Today marks the Nationals' only off-day of the Grapefruit League season. Players will get a chance to rest up or hit the beach, manager Davey Johnson will go home and see his wife ... and I'll continue to write about the Nats. Am I a saint for writing even on the off day? No. Well, maybe. But hey, there's a lot to discuss, especially after yesterday's announcement that the Nats optioned outfielder Bryce Harper to Triple-A Syracuse. There will certainly be some who are upset...

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Bryce Harper is right on schedule for D.C.

March 18, 2012, 6:27pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper is right on schedule for D.C.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that outfielder Bryce Harper was sent to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the 2012 campaign, eliminating the question of whether the Nationals' top prospect would break camp with the system's top team and head to D.C. in April. It is the best scenario for the 19-year-old to taste every level of the minor league system so he will be ready with a good dose of experience before he dons a Nationals jersey on South Capitol Street in a major league game. Of course...

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Harper sliding over to center field at Triple-A

March 18, 2012, 4:16pm

Nationals

Harper sliding over to center field at Triple-A

VIERA, Fla. - In Bryce Harper's mind, there was one upside to finding out late this afternoon that he was being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse: He also learned he'd be playing center field in the minors. "I love it," Harper said, a smile creeping across his face. "After (manager Davey Johnson) said that to me, I was excited to get down there and work on my center field." The Nationals have decided to play Harper "predominantly" in center at Triple-A, according to Johnson, which is an...

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Nationals option Harper, two others to Triple-A Syracuse

March 18, 2012, 1:56pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today optioned catcher Jhonatan Solano, first baseman Tyler Moore and outfielder Bryce Harper to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, the Nationals re-assigned infielder Mark Teahen to minor-league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. The Nationals currently have 37 players in their big league camp.

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Jackson, Detwiler talk about their outings (Nats lose 11-7)

March 18, 2012, 12:19pm

Nationals

Jackson, Detwiler talk about their outings (Nats lose 11-7)

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Edwin Jackson obviously wasn't thrilled with his four-inning, four-run, seven-hit, three-walk outing today, but he's not going to get too hung up on the numbers. "Results weren't really the greatest, but I felt pretty good," Jackson said in the Nats' clubhouse a bit ago. "The only thing I come away from (this) working on is just the walks. Everything else I can accept. They had hits, a lot of them on the ground. They had a few hits in the air, but I'll take...

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Nationals trim roster to 37

March 18, 2012, 1:23pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today optioned catcher Jhonatan Solano, first baseman Tyler Moore and outfielder Bryce Harper to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, the National reassigned infielder Mark Teahen to minor-league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. The Nationals currently have 37 players in their big league camp.

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Rocky outing for Jackson vs. Detroit

March 18, 2012, 10:44am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Chad Durbin has come out for the top of the fifth inning, meaning Edwin Jackson's day is done. The results weren't all that pretty for Jackson in his four innings of work, as the Nationals righty allowed four runs on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Ten baserunners in four innings? Probably not what Jackson wanted, although I guess it fits his history. Jackson threw 71 pitches, 41 for strikes. He got through the first two innings without allowing a run and...

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Nats sign Xavier Nady to minor league deal

March 18, 2012, 6:37am

Nationals

Nats sign Xavier Nady to minor league deal

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have signed outfielder/first baseman Xavier Nady to a minor league contract, general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed. Nady, a 33-year-old who has spent time with six major league teams, has reported to minor league camp and will start the season at Triple-A Syracuse. It's a straight minor league deal and has no outs. "He's a player I've always had interest in," Rizzo said. "He's coming off a few injury-plagued seasons. He's motivated and he's coming into camp...

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Lingering foot injury continues to bother LaRoche

March 18, 2012, 8:11am

Nationals

Lingering foot injury continues to bother LaRoche

VIERA, Fla. - Unfortunately for Adam LaRoche, this spring is showing a lot of similarities to last, when he came down with a shoulder injury which just kept hanging around. LaRoche tried to battle through the discomfort, but eventually, he needed season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. This year it's a foot injury which is lingering, and LaRoche can just hope that his fate is a little better this time around. "It's scary how much it sounds like last spring training, when it was...

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Today's Nats lineup plus Ankiel note (updated)

March 18, 2012, 6:05am

Nationals

Today's Nats lineup plus Ankiel note (updated)

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals take on the Tigers today at Space Coast Stadium, with Edwin Jackson heading to the bump for the Nats. Bryce Harper is back in right field today, while Jayson Werth slides over to center. Here's manager Davey Johnson's lineup for today's game: SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 3B Ryan Zimmerman CF Jayson Werth DH Chad Tracy C Jesus Flores RF Bryce Harper 1B Tyler Moore LF Roger Bernadina Here's a good sign for outfielder Rick Ankiel, who's been battling a...

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Don't forget about Detwiler

March 17, 2012, 7:50am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - While it's widely assumed that Chien-Ming Wang's hamstring injury might have opened up a spot in the Nationals rotation for John Lannan, we shouldn't necessarily forget about Ross Detwiler. Yes, Lannan led the Nationals in wins last season and is owed $5 million this season. He's a consistent performer, eats innings, and the Nats would not be in bad shape, to say the least, if he opens the season as their fifth starter. But Detwiler has put together a pretty strong spring,...

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Zimmermann: "It's getting better and better every day" (Nats tie Marlins 1-1)

March 17, 2012, 11:41am

Nationals

Zimmermann: "It's getting better and better every day" (Nats tie Marlins 1-1)

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman was drilled by a pitch in the bottom of the fifth, and after jogging down to first base, was immediately replaced for a pinch runner. Asked by reporters shortly thereafter if he's OK, Zimmerman turned towards the group with a wry smile on his face. "4-6 weeks, hip," he said. Yeah, he'll be fine. Jordan Zimmermann was happy with his outing today, saying he feels like he's making definite progress each time he takes the mound this spring. "It's getting...

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Four scoreless for Zimmermann, extra bases for Harper

March 17, 2012, 10:37am

Nationals

Four scoreless for Zimmermann, extra bases for Harper

VIERA, Fla. - With four innings in the books and 72 pitches under his belt, Jordan Zimmermann is done for the day. Zimmermann, making his third start of spring, did not allow a run today, scattering six hits and striking out three. Of his 72 pitches, he threw 50 strikes - by my count, at least. Zimmermann didn't have his best stuff today, but he showed off a very sharp slider on a few occasions, and threw first-pitch strikes to 11 of the 17 batters he faced. So far this spring, the righty...

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Injuries still limiting Morse, LaRoche

March 17, 2012, 7:07am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Another day, another game without Michael Morse in the Nationals' lineup. The Nats' left fielder, who has spent the last couple weeks battling a lat strain, underwent an MRI to see if there was anything more which was causing him discomfort when he throws. The test confirmed the lat strain and didn't reveal any further issues, but Morse will continue to be held out of the lineup for now. He'll be allowed to get some swings on a side field, but will not play in Grapefruit...