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Triple-A Syracuse announces 13-game spring training schedule

March 02, 2012, 8:12am

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs have officially announced their 2012 spring training 13-game schedule. All home games begin at 1 p.m. and will be played at the Nationals' Viera, Fla., training camp complex. Here is a rundown of the complete schedule: March 15 at Oklahoma City Kissimmee, Fla. March 16 vs. Oklahoma City Viera, Fla. March 18 vs. Toledo Viera, Fla. March 19 at Gwinnett Lake Buena Vista, Fla. March 20 vs. Gwinnett Viera, Fla. March 21 at Toledo ...

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Poised Purke dominates Hoyas, earns extra inning of work

March 02, 2012, 10:30am

Nationals

Poised Purke dominates Hoyas, earns extra inning of work

VIERA, Fla. - Matt Purke sprinted off the mound after freezing Justin Leeson with an inside pitch that went for a called third strike to end the second inning. The left-hander, a third-round pick of the Nationals in June's draft, thought his day was over. But he'd been so pitch-efficient that he wound up working the third inning and still didn't reach his 40-pitch limit. If Purke was nervous in his spring debut, it didn't show. A guy who should be a senior at TCU dominated college hitters...

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Outfielder Perez turning heads with his speed (Nats win 3-0)

March 02, 2012, 8:54am

Nationals

Outfielder Perez turning heads with his speed (Nats win 3-0)

VIERA, Fla. - If you're an opposing infielder and Eury Perez hits the ball on the ground, good luck throwing out the speedy outfielder. Same goes for opposing catchers should Perez decide to try and swipe a bag. Perez, a 21-year-old who played last year at Single-A Potomac, doesn't have a hit yet today, but he's still found a way to make a major impact on this afternoon's game against Georgetown. The speedster has already scored two runs since entering the game in the bottom of the...

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Nationals agree to terms with 15; Storen, Bernadina renewed

March 02, 2012, 8:27am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals, who are still up 2-0 on Georgetown in today's exhibition game in the top of the sixth, just announced that they've agreed to terms with 15 players for 2012 and renewed the contracts of closer Drew Storen and outfielder Roger Bernadina. That means all players on the club's 40-man roster are now under contract. Those signed are left-handers Ross Detwiler and Atahualpa Severino; right-handers Cole Kimball, Ryan Mattheus, Ryan Perry, Henry Rodriguez and Craig...

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Purke's spring debut a strong one

March 02, 2012, 8:02am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Sure, it was against collegiate opposition, but Matt Purke looked pretty darn good in his spring debut. Facing Georgetown University in the Nationals' first game of the spring, Purke - the Nats' third-round pick in June's draft - went three strong innings, allowing no runs and just one hit. Purke struck out three (including two looking) and did not walk a batter. He threw 32 pitches, 23 for strikes, and was pulled in favor of righty Rafael Martin to start the fourth...

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Harper busy in early going of first exhibition

March 02, 2012, 7:28am

Nationals

Harper busy in early going of first exhibition

VIERA, Fla. - Going to the bottom of the second here at Space Coast Stadium, and Bryce Harper is making a nice impression in his first game action of the spring. In the first inning, the right fielder was in the middle of a rally that provided the Nationals with a 1-0 lead against Georgetown righty Will Harris. With one out, Xavier Paul singled to right and went to second when right fielder Christian Venditti bobbled the ball. Harper drew a four-pitch walk and Tyler Moore reached on an error...

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Johnson a bit too "frisky" for exhibition opener

March 02, 2012, 5:32am

Nationals

Johnson a bit too "frisky" for exhibition opener

VIERA, Fla. - Think it's just players who get pumped up for the first exhibition game of spring training? Think again. Nationals manager Davey Johnson was so juiced (or, in his words, "frisky") for today's exhibition against Georgetown that he ramped up his morning treadmill session. The result wasn't what the skipper was hoping for. "I overloaded my hummingbird rear end and a little air came out of my right hammy," Johnson said with a smile. "So, I'm not quite ready yet, is what...

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Johnson all but rules out Werth, LaRoche for this weekend

March 02, 2012, 5:15am

Nationals

Johnson all but rules out Werth, LaRoche for this weekend

VIERA, Fla. - If outfielder Jayson Werth and first baseman Adam LaRoche are going to play in Grapefruit League games this weekend, it'll take some amazing recuperative powers and a departure from the conservative approach the Nationals have taken with even minor injuries. Manager Davey Johnson all but ruled the pair out of Saturday's game at Kissimmee, Fla., and Sunday's home opener, both against the Astros. Werth has been bothered by back spasms but has been participating in workouts at...

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Nationals' Saturday lineup at Astros

March 02, 2012, 3:28am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Greetings from Space Coast Stadium, where the Nationals are entertaining Georgetown University in an exhibition game today at noon. If there's such a thing as a pre-preseason game, this is it. The Nationals are taking on the Hoyas in a game that will give manager Davey Johnson and his staff a chance to see some of the younger players in camp. Johnson has already posted the lineup for tomorrow's Grapefruit League opener in Kissimmee, Fla., against the Astros. So in the interests...

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New bench coach Knorr has to think for himself

March 01, 2012, 11:08am

Nationals

New bench coach Knorr has to think for himself

VIERA, Fla. - Randy Knorr may be new to his role as the Nationals' bench coach, but he's not unfamiliar with the team or the inner workings of a major league club. Knorr played 11 years in the bigs as a catcher and spent two tours of duty as a bullpen coach with the Nationals. He skippered in the team's farm system for six seasons, including last year at Triple-A Syracuse. The most important thing about being a bench coach, Knorr said, is the ability to know how the manager you're working...

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Johnson sets lineup for exhibition vs. Georgetown

March 01, 2012, 9:05am

Nationals

Johnson sets lineup for exhibition vs. Georgetown

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson has announced his starting lineup for Friday's exhibition game against the Georgetown Hoyas: 2B - Steve Lombardozzi LF - Xavier Paul RF - Bryce Harper 1B - Tyler Moore DH - Brett Carroll 3B - Anthony Rendon CF - Corey Brown SS - Andres Blanco C - Sandy Leon P - Matthew Purke Purke will be limited to 40 pitches, the manager said. Johnson said he would try to coax eight innings out of four pitchers in two-inning stints, with three non-roster...

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Additional playoff team could create possibility for Nats

March 01, 2012, 10:50am

Nationals

Additional playoff team could create possibility for Nats

VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson doesn't mind the notion of Major League Baseball adding a playoff team in each league. But he'd prefer the Nationals not try to sneak in as a wild card team. "Now you're talking about a third way to make the playoffs," he said. "I never look at (that option). I always address it as winning the division. I think everybody does that manages. ... Only when that is out of reach do you look at other options." Should baseball follow through with its plans to...

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Reliever Rafael Martin looking to show he belongs in first big league camp

March 01, 2012, 10:17am

Nationals

Reliever Rafael Martin looking to show he belongs in first big league camp

Right-handed reliever Rafael Martin is looking to get off on the right foot in his first big league camp as he will get a chance to pitch in Friday's exhibition against Georgetown University. Double-A Harrisburg Senators pitching coach Paul Menhart has coached the San Fernando, Calif., native for quite some time now in the system and could tell the 27-year-old reliever was desperate to make a good impression this first week. "He was a little anxious (on the first day)," Menhart said. "But...

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Eckstein impressed by Harper's commitment to the art of hitting

March 01, 2012, 9:48am

Nationals

Eckstein impressed by Harper's commitment to the art of hitting

VIERA, Fla. - Rick Eckstein was talking shop with some of the Nationals' hitters the other day when Bryce Harper injected himself into the discussion. What the Washington hitting coach heard from his top prospect made Eckstein smile when he recounted the tale because it spoke to how advanced a hitter Harper is, assuming you can believe that a 19-year-old with no major league experience can be considered advanced. "We were talking about certain pitchers, talking about zones," Eckstein said....

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Mild ankle sprain gives LaRoche chance to rest shoulder (updated)

March 01, 2012, 5:36am

Nationals

Mild ankle sprain gives LaRoche chance to rest shoulder (updated)

VIERA, Fla. - A mild left ankle sprain will keep Adam LaRoche out of today's organized workouts, but the Nationals first baseman expects to throw and hit a little in hopes of being ready to play Sunday for the team's home Grapefruit League opener against the Astros. "I don't want to flare it up any more than it is," said LaRoche, who injured the ankle in base running drills two days ago. "There's no point right now risking dragging this thing out for another week if we can knock it out...

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Extra effort gives Lidge markedly better results

March 01, 2012, 10:10am

Nationals

Extra effort gives Lidge markedly better results

VIERA, Fla. - Michael Morse swung and drove a low pitch from Brad Lidge into the ground, the ball dribbling to a stop at the lip of the infield where grass turns into dirt in front of the hole at shortstop. On the next pitch, Morse barely made contact on a letter-high offering, and the ball fluttered into the netting of the batting cage above him and dropped to his feet. Considering Morse knew what Lidge was throwing, Lidge's second session of live bating practice Thursday was much better...

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Saturday starter Jackson eager to move on to next phase of preseason

March 01, 2012, 4:18am

Nationals

Saturday starter Jackson eager to move on to next phase of preseason

VIERA, Fla. - For Edwin Jackson, starting Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla., is nothing more than a ceremonial assignment. But the right-hander is eager to move on to the next phase of spring training and to begin forging a relationship with his starting catcher, likely Wilson Ramos. "It's an upgrade from live BP," Jackson said. "It's more game mode. You're out there (and) it's more game focused." It's also an opportunity to formulate a...

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Newcomer Perry hopes trade to Nationals will help rebuild confidence

February 29, 2012, 11:47am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - One look at Ryan Perry's arms tells you the relief pitcher isn't afraid to share his point of view. Each arm is covered in a sleeve of tattoos, and the intricate work on the baseball-themed ink on his left arm is the newest addition. It was done this winter by Glendale, Ariz., tattoo artist Justin Kramer in three separate sessions that each required seven to eight hours to complete. "Everything's intertwined in baseball," said Perry, who was acquired from the Tigers in...

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Splintered bat shows Burnett is getting desired movement on pitches

February 29, 2012, 10:42am

Nationals

Splintered bat shows Burnett is getting desired movement on pitches

VIERA, Fla. - The most impressive arm in Wednesday's live batting practice belonged to left-hander Sean Burnett. The reliever's effort elicited praise from his teammates and Burnett got a measure of retribution against Michael Morse, who crushed a ball off the batter's eye in center field when the two squared off in the first round of live batting practice during spring workouts Sunday. This time around, Morse swung and made contact only to see his bat shatter into two pieces, one of which...

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Power hitter Tyler Moore becoming versatile asset Nationals envisioned

February 29, 2012, 9:25am

Nationals

Double-A Harrisburg first baseman Tyler Moore is coming off another 31 home run season, something you don't see very often. Moore has been the most consistent long ball hitter in the Nationals' system the last two seasons, totaling an incredible 62 round trippers and 201 RBIs. National Web sites have taken notice. Moore has been named back to back MiLB.com Nationals Organization Player of the Year. At the end of last season, the Nationals started to experiment with Moore in the outfield....