nationals

Rizzo optimistic about Morse's status, doesn't expect major moves

March 23, 2012, 12:22pm

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed Michael Morse had a PRP injection in an attempt to stimulate healing in the left fielder's strained lat, but said he doesn't expect Morse's injury to cause him to miss an extended portion of the regular season. In fact, Rizzo says Morse might even be able to suit up when the Nats open the season against the Cubs on April 5. "I feel good about him opening day, and if not opening day, soon thereafter," Rizzo said. "That's...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko michael morse mike rizzo nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals1

Nats' bats remain asleep in yet another loss

March 23, 2012, 1:28pm

Nationals

Nats' bats remain asleep in yet another loss

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Following the Nationals' 5-1 loss to the Astros this afternoon, a defeat which made the Nationals 0-9-1 in their last 10 spring games, Jordan Zimmermann was asked about the team's recent spring struggles. "Saving the wins," Zimmermann said. The Nats can continue to joke about the losses for now, because these games mean nothing. But it's tough to ignore the way that they've been dropping their ballgames lately. After today's one-run effort, the Nationals have now...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals nationals spring training

Nats getting no-hit through six innings (Nats lose 5-1)

March 23, 2012, 10:46am

Nationals

Nats getting no-hit through six innings (Nats lose 5-1)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - A day after Davey Johnson said he wasn't worried about his team's offensive struggles, his players are pushing things a bit. The Nationals have yet to record a hit through six innings of play against the Astros this afternoon, and have just sent just one over the minimum to the plate. Their lone base runner came in the first, when Danny Espinosa walked with one out. The Astros, on the other hand, are having no trouble putting runs on the board. They've had five guys...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko jordan zimmermann nationals spring training frontfeatured_nationals

Bench picture starting to come into focus

March 23, 2012, 9:20am

Nationals

Bench picture starting to come into focus

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - As we inch closer and closer to opening day - and we're now under the two-week mark until the real games have arrived - guys are running out of chances to impress manager Davey Johnson and try and earn one of the final couple spots on the Nationals' roster. Things are made a little murky by the injuries to left fielder Michael Morse and first baseman Adam LaRoche, which might open another position or two on the 25-man roster if those guys need to start the season on the DL....

Comments

Tags:

brett carroll chad tracy dan kolko davey johnson drew storen jason michaels michael morse nationals rick ankiel spring training steve lombardozzi frontfeatured_nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

MRI reveals no structural damage to Storen's elbow (plus Morse, LaRoche notes)

March 23, 2012, 5:27am

Nationals

MRI reveals no structural damage to Storen's elbow (plus Morse, LaRoche notes)

VIERA, Fla. - The test results on Drew Storen's right elbow have come in, and the Nationals can breathe a sigh of relief. Storen underwent an MRI on his right elbow yesterday, and the test confirmed that the Nats closer does not have any structural damage to his arm. There's a little inflammation in the elbow joint, Storen said, but nothing's wrong with the reliever's UCL. That's the ligament which, if torn, can result in Tommy John surgery. "There's nothing extremely unnormal,"...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche dan kolko drew storen michael morse nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals3

Bernadina leaves game with apparent injury

March 23, 2012, 9:58am

Nationals

Bernadina leaves game with apparent injury

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Roger Bernadina has left today's game against the Astros after just two and a half innings, with Brett Carroll replacing him in center field. Bernadina appeared to tweak something when he tracked down a long fly ball off the bat of Astros third baseman Chris Johnson in the bottom of the second. The 27-year-old outfielder needed to quickly go back close to the warning track to make the catch. He bent down at the waist after making the grab, appearing to stretch his...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko ian desmond jordan zimmermann nationals roger bernadina spring training frontfeatured_nationals

Washington Nationals receive Legacy of Hope award from USO of Metropolitan Washington

March 23, 2012, 8:01am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals' extensive efforts in the military community were recognized last night when the team was presented with the USO of Metropolitan Washington's Legacy of Hope Award during its 30th Annual Awards Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton in Arlington, Va. Established in 2004, the award is named after famed entertainer and longtime USO advocate Bob Hope and is presented annually to an organization that exhibits extraordinary dedication to supporting our nation's service members. "As...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Say goodbye to Gonzalez's sparkling spring numbers

March 22, 2012, 1:29pm

Nationals

Say goodbye to Gonzalez's sparkling spring numbers

JUPITER, Fla. - Other than a couple minor bumps in the road, everything had gone pretty smoothly for Gio Gonzalez in his first three spring starts. Including stats from a rained out game March 11, he'd thrown 10 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run, five hits and four walks in that time, with 10 strikeouts. That's good for a 0.87 ERA. In today's 9-0 loss to the Cardinals, things didn't go quite so smoothly for Gonzalez. And that's a massive understatement. Gonzalez's spring ERA...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson gio gonzalez nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

The Lombardozzi-in-left experiment

March 22, 2012, 2:21pm

Nationals

JUPITER, Fla. - With Michael Morse looking increasingly unlikely to be ready for opening day, manager Davey Johnson has started thinking about Plan B. Or, should I say, Plan C. Or D. That plan, whichever letter is attached to it, is using infielder Steve Lombardozzi in left field on occasion. The experiment was put into action yesterday in the Nats' 3-2 loss to the Braves, when Lombardozzi trotted out to left in the middle innings. He'd taken part in his first outfield training session...

Comments

Tags:

bo porter dan kolko nationals spring training steve lombardozzi frontstory_nationals3

Gonzalez smacked around in Jupiter (Nats lose 9-0)

March 22, 2012, 11:04am

Nationals

Gonzalez smacked around in Jupiter (Nats lose 9-0)

JUPITER, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez retired two of the nine batters he faced in the fourth inning today against the Cardinals. He gave up a two-run homer, two doubles, two singles and two walks, all in that frame. Not exactly his finest outing. The Nationals lefty was pulled after 3 2/3 innings of work, having allowed eight earned runs overall, 10 hits and four walks. He struck out three and threw 83 pitches, 50 for strikes. Hey, at least he built that pitch count up. Ryan Mattheus came on to...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko gio gonzalez nationals spring training frontfeatured_nationals

Michael Morse's opening day status is unclear

March 22, 2012, 8:38am

Nationals

Michael Morse's opening day status is unclear

JUPITER, Fla. - Michael Morse's chances of being in the Nationals' lineup on opening day are apparently decreasing. Manager Davey Johnson said that a definite timetable has not yet been set for Morse to return to action, as he's still having problems with a strained lat muscle, but that it would probably be "a couple weeks" before Morse will begin baseball activities. Morse feels OK, but the Nationals are playing things safe with their projected starting left fielder and cleanup hitter,...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson michael morse nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals3

Storen has more discomfort, Nady to get minor league action

March 22, 2012, 9:15am

Nationals

Storen has more discomfort, Nady to get minor league action

JUPITER, Fla. - About 90 percent of Davey Johnson's pregame session with reporters consisted of injury discussions. Hey, there's suddenly lots to talk about on that front. Johnson said closer Drew Storen is still feeling some discomfort in his bicep and triceps after playing catch yesterday. The team will take things very carefully with the 24-year-old over the next few days. "Storen is getting further tests on his condition on his arm and he's still had small discomfort when he threw on...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson drew storen nationals spring training xavier nady featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals1

Talking on-base percentage at the top of the order

March 22, 2012, 4:37am

Nationals

Talking on-base percentage at the top of the order

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals will travel nearly two hours south down Interstate 95 today to take on the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., their first of three straight road games. Some quality miles will be put on the team bus over this three-day stretch, as the Nats will be in Kissimmee to play the Astros tomorrow and then will head all the way across the state to face the Orioles in Sarasota on Saturday. Given that I need to fill up my rental car (a Jeep Patriot) about every 15 minutes, I should...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko danny espinosa davey johnson ian desmond nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals3

Wrapping up a busy day in Viera

March 21, 2012, 3:01pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - So far today, we've had news that Stephen Strasburg will be the Nationals' opening day starter, Michael Morse and Adam LaRoche possibly not being ready for the start of the season, Steve Lombardozzi making his first career appearance in the outfield and word that Chien-Ming Wang will likely start the regular season on the DL. Just another quiet afternoon at Space Coast Stadium. The Nationals needed one more strike to close this day out with a win over the Braves, but Ryan...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson john lannan nationals ryan perry spring training steve lombardozzi

Moore will spend lots of time at first base this season

March 21, 2012, 6:21pm

Nationals

Moore will spend lots of time at first base this season

I have written a lot during the offseason about the Nationals working with first baseman Tyler Moore at outfield positions to improve his versatility. That is still true. Just like Michael Morse, the Nationals would love to have Moore be able to play different spots all over the field so they can get his offensive output in the majors sooner rather than later. But roster needs change quickly, and with the injury to former Triple-A Syracuse first baseman Chris Marrero, the need for Moore to...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr chris marrero nationals syracuse chiefs tyler moore frontstory_nationals2

Nats won't rush Morse, LaRoche back for opening day

March 21, 2012, 9:31am

Nationals

Nats won't rush Morse, LaRoche back for opening day

VIERA, Fla. - We're under way here at Space Coast Stadium, as John Lannan takes the mound to face the Braves. If you've got TV access at the office or happen to be hanging at home, you can catch today's game live on MASN. Lannan is now through two innings, having allowed two hits but no runs. We're scoreless entering the bottom of the second. Despite recent injuries to both left fielder Michael Morse and first baseman Adam LaRoche, the Nationals have said all along that they're not...

Comments

Tags:

davey johnson drew storen michael morse nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Lannan feels himself trending upward

March 21, 2012, 1:10pm

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Normally in spring training, John Lannan comes out of the gates hot, then goes through a bit of a downturn before trying to get back on track for the start of the regular season. This year's been the opposite. The Nationals lefty started out slow, but feels that with each start, he's getting closer to being in prime condition for the beginning of April. "I'm progressing in a manner where I start off pretty slow and now I'm getting to a point where before opening day...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko john lannan nationals spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Lannan's day is done, Lombardozzi in left (Nats lose 3-2)

March 21, 2012, 10:44am

Nationals

Lannan's day is done, Lombardozzi in left (Nats lose 3-2)

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, with Jason Michaels' RBI groundout bringing in Ryan Zimmerman for the only run of the game. Ian Desmond has a walk today (his second in as many days) and an error (marking his fourth defensive miscue of the spring). John Lannan's day is done after four innings of work. The lefty didn't allow a run, largely thanks to a stiff wind blowing in, and gave up three hits and a walk. He struck out three and threw 79 pitches, 50...

Comments

Tags:

ian desmond john lannan nationals spring training steve lombardozzi frontfeatured_nationals

Learning lots about Lombardozzi

March 21, 2012, 4:10am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Prior to the start of spring training, if I had told you that Craig Stammen would be leading the Nationals in strikeouts nearly three weeks into the Grapefruit League season, would you have believed me? If I had told you that Stephen Strasburg would have only one fewer hit than both Michael Morse and Adam LaRoche with 17 spring games in the books, would you have thought I was insane? In this game, you just never know what will happen on any given day. Another thing you never...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko danny espinosa davey johnson nationals spring training steve lombardozzi frontstory_nationals3

A fan's guide to the Nationals' April schedule

March 21, 2012, 7:52am

Nationals

Let's get you ready for the first month of the season, and if you have the good fortune of seeing the Nationals on the road to begin in Chicago and New York, here is a quick primer. Every time I get an advance schedule for a local team, I always look to see what other sporting events are going on in the four major professional sports and check the live music or comedy schedules to see if they possibly matchup with off-days. I also have to hit the best pizza, wings or hot dog joints available...