nationals

Teammates say franchise cornerstone earned long-term security

February 26, 2012, 5:36am

VIERA, Fla. - As news of Ryan Zimmerman's long-awaited, long-term extension with the Nationals passed through the Space Coast Stadium clubhouse Sunday morning, the third baseman's teammates spoke of how much Zimmerman deserved the security afforded by the deal, which could keep him in a Washington uniform through 2020. "I think that's great. I think it's showing that the Nationals, the Lerner family is trying to bring a winning ballclub here to D.C. for a long time," said left fielder...

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Caught in numbers crunch, Bernadina doesn't seem concerned

February 25, 2012, 11:36am

Nationals

Caught in numbers crunch, Bernadina doesn't seem concerned

VIERA, Fla. - If Roger Bernadina is concerned that he might get squeezed out of the Nationals' outfield picture, he isn't letting on. In previous years, Bernadina came to camp with an opportunity to win a spot on the 25-man roster. This year, his biggest challenge might be staying with the organization. The Nationals will carry either four or five outfielders, depending on whether manager Davey Johnson goes with six or seven infielders. Either way, it will be tough for Bernadina to break...

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Zimmerman on long-term deal: "It's a relief" (updated with terms)

February 26, 2012, 3:35am

Nationals

Zimmerman on long-term deal: "It's a relief" (updated with terms)

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman entered the Nationals' clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium around 8:10 a.m. Sunday and tried to get to his locker without any fanfare. Fat chance. He almost made it to his stall in the far corner next to the showers. But a few yards away, he was intercepted by teammate MIchael Morse, who offered a congratulatory high five to celebrate the third baseman's new long-term extension with the Nationals. Terms and length of the contract are unknown, and Zimmerman said...

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Johnson focuses on newcomers, impressed by hitters' progress in first workout

February 25, 2012, 10:55am

Nationals

Johnson focuses on newcomers, impressed by hitters' progress in first workout

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson has run enough spring trainings to be able to appreciate both the excitement that accompanies the first day of full-squad workouts and the need to wisely use the time available during spring to learn as much as he can about his players, both old and new. The newcomers got the bulk of Johnson's attention Saturday, when the Nationals held their first full-squad workout. While most of his regulars were grouped together at one field, Johnson hung out...

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Deal is done between Zimmerman, Nationals

February 26, 2012, 3:06am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman this morning agreed to a long-term extension with the Nationals, according to a baseball source. Terms and length of the deal are not yet known. Check back for more details as they become available.

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Zimmerman, Nationals move closer to long-term extension

February 25, 2012, 6:20pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman and the Nationals moved closer to hammering out a contract extension late Saturday night, resolving some "last significant issues" that were holding up a deal, general manager Mike Rizzo said. The Nationals are hopeful that a deal can be announced Sunday. "We don't have a deal done, but we've made significant progress tonight," Rizzo said shortly before 11 p.m. "We feel good about it and optimistic that we can reach an agreement, but there's some small...

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Could Harper hit against Strasburg on Sunday?

February 25, 2012, 10:24am

Nationals

Could Harper hit against Strasburg on Sunday?

VIERA, Fla. - Bryce Harper mashed a couple of pitches over the fence in right-center field during his first live batting practice session of spring training on Saturday. But he was quick to point out that the long home runs came off a spring training instructor - or what manager Davey Johnson has called "dead arm pitchers," who threw today instead of his regular hurlers, who got the day off from throwing. And then there were the gusty 20-25 mph winds, blowing out, which helped lift balls...

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Nationals to host Wounded Warrior Amputee Celebrity Softball Classic on April 3

February 25, 2012, 11:04am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team will return to Nationals Park for the second annual Wounded Warrior Amputee Celebrity Softball Classic following the Nationals-Red Sox exhibition game on Tuesday, April 3. The softball team will take the field to face a group of D.C.-area celebrities in a free post-game event to help celebrate the start of the 2012 baseball season. This unique team is made up of veterans and active duty service members from across the United States...

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Strasburg to make Nats' first home start of spring

February 25, 2012, 9:59am

Nationals

Strasburg to make Nats' first home start of spring

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg will start the Nationals' home exhibition opener against the Astros on March 4, with Gio Gonzalez making his first start for the club two days later when the Nats travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to visit the Braves, manager Davey Johnson said Saturday. Johnson's announcement completed the first turn of the rotation through Grapefruit League play, and the manager also outlined a tentative schedule of the starting pitchers in camp who will...

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Zimmerman, Nats still talking, getting "creative" on no-trade provision

February 25, 2012, 9:13am

Nationals

Zimmerman, Nats still talking, getting "creative" on no-trade provision

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman's representatives continue to discuss a contract extension with the Nationals even after a Saturday morning deadline for a resolution passed, and the third baseman said a no-trade clause is "the only thing" that stands between himself and a deal with the team. "Something creative to ensure me that I will be here, because that's the reason I'm signing the deal here," Zimmerman said Saturday afternoon after the Nationals had completed their first full-squad...

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Baseball America's Callis believes Rendon in D.C. some time in 2013

February 25, 2012, 3:57am

Nationals

Baseball America's Callis believes Rendon in D.C. some time in 2013

Baseball America had Nationals Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon ranked in the top 20 of their best 100 prospects list for 2012. Harper at No. 1 is pretty obvious, but executive editor Jim Callis believes Rendon probably deserves a top 10 ranking. "We have him No. 19 on our top 100, I think that is 10 spots too low," Callis said. "I am probably the biggest Rendon fan outside of the Nationals (front office)." Callis said Rendon may not hit as many home runs as Harper, but he still has the...

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Zimmerman: Talks will go "right down to the last minute, I guess" (updated)

February 25, 2012, 4:13am

Nationals

Zimmerman: Talks will go "right down to the last minute, I guess" (updated)

VIERA, Fla. - It's less than an hour before Ryan Zimmerman's self-imposed deadline to have a contract extension in place, and the Nationals third baseman sounds as if he's prepared to wait right until the team's first full-squad workout to see if a deal will be done. Asked after he arrived in the clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium at 8:10 a.m. Saturday if he had an update, Zimmerman shrugged and said, "Right down to the last minute, I guess." Otherwise, it was a pretty normal morning for...

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Jackson will get nod in Nationals' Grapefruit League opener

February 24, 2012, 9:23am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Edwin Jackson, the most recent starting pitcher to join the Nationals, will start the team's March 3 Grapefruit League opener against the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla., manager Davey Johnson said Friday. "I talked to him in throwing drills and he was up for that," Johnson said. Jackson, like the rest of the pitchers in camp, will take the next two days off from throwing activities before pitching live batting practice Monday, Johnson said. The right-hander, who signed a one-year...

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Meet Joe Namath, Nats' top prospect

February 25, 2012, 4:25am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - No one can say the Nationals aren't displaying a wicked sense of humor as full-squad workouts commence at Space Coast Stadium. Top prospect Bryce Harper arrived at the clubhouse Saturday morning to find he'd been a victim of a well-played prank. Instead of the nameplate above his locker stall reading, "Bryce Harper 34," as it did when he left after Friday's workouts, it read, "Joe Namath 12," with the appropriate Nationals curly W logo to the left and the Major League...

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Sturdier Mattheus ready to shoulder heavier workload

February 24, 2012, 11:40am

Nationals

Sturdier Mattheus ready to shoulder heavier workload

VIERA, Fla. - One of the inherent flaws in the bullpen that Davey Johnson inherited last season was the inability of Nationals relievers to work more than an inning at a time on a regular basis. The manager was saddled with a group that wasn't capable of longer outings - or, in some cases, pitching on successive days. At the end of last season, and through the offseason, Johnson preached to anyone who would listen about the need for durable arms that could be stretched out and used...

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Skipper ready for full-squad workouts to begin

February 24, 2012, 10:48am

Nationals

Skipper ready for full-squad workouts to begin

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals will hold their first full-squad workout Saturday morning, and manager Davey Johnson will hold a team meeting beforehand to make sure everyone's on the same page. With high expectations for the Nats, the skipper is eager to get the next phase of camp under way. "We become a team, we become whole," Johnson said. "I have not seen half of them swing the bat, take a ground ball, throw." After spending the bulk of his time the past week focusing on the pitching...

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Storen, Zimmerman weigh in on Braun's successful appeal

February 24, 2012, 5:58am

Nationals

Storen, Zimmerman weigh in on Braun's successful appeal

VIERA, Fla. - News that defending National League Most Valuable Player Ryan Braun of the Brewers had successfully appealed his 50-game ban for testing positive in October for elevated levels of testosterone was well-received in the Nationals clubhouse Friday morning, though some players privately questioned whether they could trust Major League Baseball's testing measures in light of Braun's suspension being overturned. "I think it's great," said closer Drew Storen, who is entering his...

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Johnson on Zimmerman, Strasburg, Rodriguez, Hoyas

February 24, 2012, 10:36am

Nationals

Johnson on Zimmerman, Strasburg, Rodriguez, Hoyas

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson has a vested interest in keeping third baseman Ryan Zimmerman around long-term, so he's among those who want to see the Nationals and Zimmerman agree on a long-term contract extension. "I think it's a great idea. I hope that they come together and get it done," Johnson said. "He's the franchise player. He's the best player, your three-hole hitter, leader of the infield - all of the above. ... I think he wants to stay here, I think everybody...

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Does Zimmerman extension hinge on no-trade protection?

February 24, 2012, 5:16am

Nationals

Does Zimmerman extension hinge on no-trade protection?

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman's self-imposed Saturday deadline to have a contract extension in place is moving closer, and it appears any chance the Nationals have at locking up their starting third baseman beyond 2013 hinge on a new deal containing a no-trade clause. "The point of me signing this deal is to be here, not to sign a deal that's team-friendly to have it with another team," Zimmerman said Friday morning. Zimmerman, whose current five-year, $45 million deal runs out after the...

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Potomac Nationals officially unveil brand new diamond

February 23, 2012, 12:09pm

Nationals

For the first time since 1984, the Single-A Potomac Nationals have a new baseball field in Woodbridge, Va. It has been a struggle with bad drainage and an uneven playing field for years that some speculated contributed to the team missing out on getting to see a top prospect like Bryce Harper play at Pfitzner Stadium. Today that all changed and with it, a big step up in field conditions. The hope is this new diamond will ultimately improve the quality of play for the professional baseball...