nationals

Report: Durbin signs with Braves

April 03, 2012, 12:52pm

Earlier this afternoon, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he would wait to get through the exhibition game against the Red Sox before announcing which of two right-handers - Chad Durbin or Ryan Mattheus - had claimed the final spot on the team's 25-man roster. The belief was that Johnson wanted to make sure everyone got through today's game healthy before revealing who made the cut. Turns out Johnson won't have to wait that long, and that's probably good news for Matthews. According...

Comments

Tags:

chad durbin nationals pete kerzel ryan mattheus frontstory_nationals3

A look at 2012 Harrisburg pitching staff

April 03, 2012, 12:52pm

Nationals

A look at 2012 Harrisburg pitching staff

Here is the pitching roster announced for manager Matt LeCroy and pitching coach Paul Menhart for the 2012 Double-A Harrisburg Senators (All are right-handers unless otherwise noted): Mike Ballard (LHP) Erik Davis Paul Demny Marcos Frias Christian Garcia Robert Gilliam Patrick Lehman Jeff Mandel Patrick McCoy (LHP) Hector Nelo Kevin Pucetas Danny Rosenbaum (LHP) Joe Testa (LHP) The staff includes Potomac Nationals player of the year Danny Rosenbaum, George Washington University's Patrick...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr danny rosenbaum nationals harrisburg senators

Ramos' homer, Desmond solo shot get Nats within 6-4

April 03, 2012, 12:38pm

Nationals

Ramos' homer, Desmond solo shot get Nats within 6-4

The Nationals are no longer searching for their first hit of the afternoon against Boston right-hander Clay Buchholz. Nor are they staring at a scoreboard full of goose eggs. Adam LaRoche's leadoff single in the fifth, a sharp grounder down the right field line, ended a string of 12 straight hitters retired by Buchholz to start the game. After Jayson Werth struck out, LaRoche moved to second on an infield single by Mark DeRosa. A fielder's choice grounder by Xavier Nady erased DeRosa at...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche mark derosa nationals pete kerzel wilson ramos frontfeatured_nationals

Jackson cruises through three, runs into trouble in fourth (updated)

April 03, 2012, 11:54am

Nationals

Jackson cruises through three, runs into trouble in fourth (updated)

After three spotless innings of three-up, three-down baseball, Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson has run into some trouble in the fourth. Leading off the fourth, Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury worked the count full, then laced a clean single to left, the first hit for either team in a crisply played game. Dustin Pedroia followed with a line drive to left that went for a run-scoring double and a 1-0 Red Sox lead. Adrian Gonzalez flew out to left, with Pedroia successfully testing left fielder...

Comments

Tags:

edwin jackson nationals pete kerzel frontfeatured_nationals

Storen passes his latest rehab test

April 03, 2012, 10:03am

Nationals

Prior to today, Drew Storen already had a full bullpen session under his belt as he works back from elbow inflammation. But this afternoon, working off the bullpen mound at Nationals Park, Storen cleared his next hurdle in his rehab - he threw with some conviction, trusting his arm and pounding the catcher's mitt with force. "I let it go a little bit today, probably for the first time in a while, and didn't feel bad at all," Storen said. "So I'm happy with that." Storen, who said...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko drew storen nationals featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals1

For Strasburg, a memorable first major league opener in store

April 03, 2012, 8:47am

Nationals

For Strasburg, a memorable first major league opener in store

It's hard to believe, but Stephen Strasburg's opening day start in Chicago on Thursday will be his first opener as a major leaguer. Imagine the butterflies accompanying most players on their first opener - and then factor in the emotionally charged intensity that accompanies the right-hander on a typical start and you have to wonder whether Strasburg will be battling himself. Remember, Strasburg's first minor league start in his rookie season was on April 11, 2010, when he pitched for the...

Comments

Tags:

davey johnson nationals pete kerzel stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals3

Bernadina's knee looks good, Johnson expects him to be starter in center

April 03, 2012, 10:36am

Nationals

Bernadina's knee looks good, Johnson expects him to be starter in center

Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina went through batting practice and pregame workouts prior to Tuesday's exhibition against the Boston Red Sox with no lingering issues from the right knee bruise suffered in Monday's game. Bernadina was running around without limitations in the Nationals Park outfield during pregame and showed no ill effects getting hit on the knee by a failed pickoff throw. The 27-year old Curacao native was listed in the starting lineup, playing center field and batting...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson nationals rick ankiel roger bernadina frontstory_nationals2

Three up, three down from spring training

April 03, 2012, 4:13am

Nationals

Three up, three down from spring training

ORLANDO, Fla. - I'm finally leaving the state of Florida, a bit more tired and with a much heavier farmer's tan than when I arrived. While we still have one exhibition game remaining before opening day gets here, spring training is officially over. The Nationals have worked their way into playing shape, finalized all but one spot on their 25-man roster and welcomed one fantastic new beat writer who will be covering them this season. I'm completely unbiased on that last front. Before I...

Comments

Tags:

danny espinosa davey johnson edwin jackson gio gonzalez henry rodriguez jordan zimmermann nationals rick ankiel ryan zimmerman spring training stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals3

Today's Red Sox-Nationals lineups

April 03, 2012, 9:23am

Nationals

The Nationals have just finished batting practice, fans are starting to stream into Nationals Park and the last exhibition game of the spring will start at 3:05 p.m. Remember, today's game is going to be televised live on MASN/MASN HD, so you can tune in and get a look at the Nats in their last game before Thursday's opener in Chicago against the Cubs. Here are today's lineups. For the Red Sox: CF - Jacoby Ellsbury 2B - Dustin Pedroia 1B - Adrian Gonzalez DH - David Ortiz 3B - Kevin...

Comments

Tags:

nationals pete kerzel roger bernadina

All but one Nationals roster spot now accounted for

April 02, 2012, 9:40am

Nationals

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Now that the Nationals have announced they will officially place four guys on the disabled list to start the season, the team's opening day roster is very close to being finalized. At this point, the position players are all set, manager Davey Johnson confirmed. The 13 position players that remain in the Nats' big league camp will make the 25-man roster. Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores will be the catchers. Your infielders will be: Adam LaRoche, Danny Espinosa, Ian...

Comments

Tags:

chad tracy craig stammen dan kolko davey johnson nationals ryan mattheus spring training steve lombardozzi xavier nady frontstory_nationals1

Nats trail Red Sox in Florida spring training finale (Nats lose 4-2)

April 02, 2012, 11:33am

Nationals

Nats trail Red Sox in Florida spring training finale (Nats lose 4-2)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - If there's some good news today amid all the players going on the DL and the injury to Roger Bernadina, it's that Danny Espinosa might be starting to click. The Nationals second baseman ripped his second homer in as many days this afternoon, taking one out to center field here at JetBlue Park. After going without a homer or an RBI for his first 21 games of spring training, Espinosa has two big flies in the last 26 hours or so. This one came from the left side, which is...

Comments

Tags:

chad tracy dan kolko danny espinosa jordan zimmermann nationals spring training frontfeatured_nationals

Bernadina leaves game after being hit by pickoff throw (updated)

April 02, 2012, 9:59am

Nationals

Bernadina leaves game after being hit by pickoff throw (updated)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Nationals cannot catch a break. Already without their projected starting left fielder and center fielder, both of whom will start the season on the disabled list, the Nationals will have to play the rest of today's spring training finale without Roger Bernadina, who was expected to start in center field on opening day. Bernadina has been pulled from today's game after being hit on the leg by an errant Aaron Cook pickoff throw. The Nats outfielder jogged into second...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko jason michaels nationals roger bernadina spring training frontfeatured_nationals

Morse, Storen, Ankiel, Wang will start season on DL

April 02, 2012, 9:11am

Nationals

Morse, Storen, Ankiel, Wang will start season on DL

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Nationals will be without their projected cleanup hitter/left fielder, closer, starting center fielder and fifth starter to begin the season. Manager Davey Johnson said today that Michael Morse, Drew Storen, Rick Ankiel and Chien-Ming Wang will all start the season on the disabled list. Morse (strained lat) and Ankiel (quad) will work out the with the team these next couple days but will begin the season on a rehab assignment, likely with Double-A Harrisburg, Johnson...

Comments

Tags:

chien-ming wang dan kolko davey johnson drew storen michael morse nationals rick ankiel spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals3

Starters showing signs they're set (plus today's lineup)

April 02, 2012, 5:25am

Nationals

Starters showing signs they're set (plus today's lineup)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Good morning from Fort Myers, where I spent the night last night ahead of today's Nationals spring training finale against the Red Sox. Unfortunately, the Nationals had to make the nearly two-hour drive back from Jupiter to Viera following yesterday's game against the Cardinals, and then leave their Space Coast Stadium complex at around 7 a.m. this morning in order to head all the way across the state to make it here. Yeah, I bet all those guys are ready to head north to...

Comments

Tags:

gio gonzalez john lannan jordan zimmermann nationals ross detwiler spring training stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals1

Nats sign Michaels to minor league deal

April 02, 2012, 7:24am

Nationals

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Nationals released Jason Michaels on Thursday. Now the veteran outfielder is back with the organization. The Nats announced today that they've agreed to terms on a minor league contract with Michaels, who will report to Triple-A Syracuse. Michaels hit .220 with one homer and seven RBIs in 41 at-bats with the Nats this spring. The 35-year-old had an opt-out clause in his original minor league deal with the Nats, and after looking around for a major league deal with...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko jason michaels nationals spring training frontstory_nationals3

Late-game theatrics leave Nats ready for games that matter

April 01, 2012, 1:03pm

Nationals

Late-game theatrics leave Nats ready for games that matter

JUPITER, Fla. - Davey Johnson walked into the Nationals clubhouse after today's 2-1 win over the Cardinals with a giant smile on his face. "That's baseball at its best," Johnson said. "If that doesn't get your motor running, nothing will." The last inning and a half of today's ballgame was incredibly entertaining. Working in a tie game in the bottom of the eighth, Henry Rodriguez was involved in an intense battle with Cardinals leadoff hitter Tyler Greene, and eventually struck out...

Comments

Tags:

danny espinosa davey johnson henry rodriguez mark derosa nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals

Final quotes from the Nats clubhouse

April 01, 2012, 1:59pm

Nationals

JUPITER, Fla. - Danny Espinosa ripped a solo home run to right field in today's win over the Cardinals, giving him his first homer and first RBI this spring. But the Nationals second baseman was actually more pleased with his single to left off Cardinals closer Jason Motte in the top of the ninth inning than he was with the longball earlier in the game. "That was a two-strike count," Espinosa said. "I stuck with my approach I try to stay with all the time. I was able just to really put...

Comments

Tags:

danny espinosa mark derosa nationals ryan mattheus spring training tom gorzelanny frontstory_nationals1

Maldonado reassigned, Gonzalez reacts to final spring start

April 01, 2012, 1:36pm

Nationals

Maldonado reassigned, Gonzalez reacts to final spring start

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals made one roster move after today's game, reassigning catcher Carlos Maldonado to minor league camp. Maldonado, who really impressed manager Davey Johnson this spring, will back up Jhonatan Solano at Triple-A Syracuse. "I hate to lose him," Johnson said. "He's been like my favorite chair." The Nats now officially have 33 players left in major league camp. Gio Gonzalez didn't just throw five very impressive innings today in his final outing before the...

Comments

Tags:

carlos maldonado dan kolko gio gonzalez nationals spring training frontstory_nationals3

Nationals' minor league rosters taking shape

April 01, 2012, 7:01am

Nationals

The Nationals' minor league affiliates' regular season rosters are starting to take shape with the major league club finalizing their 25-man major league club. Here are some of the highlights of what each of the affiliates could look like this season: Single-A Hagerstown catching duties will be split by Adrian Nieto, Cole Leonida and others. I have confirmed the infielders are Matt Skole, Brett Newsome, Bryce Ortega, Cutter Dykstra and Justin Miller. Outfielders include Brian Goodwin, Caleb...

Comments

Tags:

alex meyer anthony rendon brian goodwin bryce harper byron kerr nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Injuries creating openings

April 01, 2012, 4:12am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez will make his final spring training start this afternoon against the Cardinals, a team that he's beginning to get pretty familiar with. And not in a good way. This will be the lefty's third start against St. Louis in a five-game span, with all three of those games coming in Jupiter at Roger Dean Stadium. Gonzalez isn't thrilled with the way the spring schedule has aligned, as the Cardinals will have gotten a fairly good look at his repertoire over the last...