nationals

Ted Youngling: Espinosa a special player, but a work in progress

August 03, 2011, 4:32pm

If you want to find the front-runners of the National League Rookie of the Year race, look no further than the NL East. Danny Espinosa of the Washington Nationals, along with Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves, make up the trio of youngsters looking to take home the crown. If I had a vote, I would go Kimbrel, Freeman and then Espinosa. I believe the fact that the Braves are contenders and their rookies are largely the reason for their success is something that should not...

Comments

Tags:

danny espinosa guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz ted youngling

Huntsville skipper: Komatsu "has the hitting genes"

August 03, 2011, 10:24am

Nationals

Huntsville skipper: Komatsu "has the hitting genes"

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators received their newest acquisition this week in center field prospect Erik Komatsu. The 5-foot-10, left-handed-hitter came over from the Milwaukee Brewers in the Jerry Hairston Jr. trade Saturday and made his debut last night. Komatsu played for the Double-A Huntsville Stars under manager Mike Guerrero, who was impressed with the former Cal-State Fullerton player. Komatsu hit .294 with 19 doubles, one triple, six homers, 13 stolen bases and 40 RBIs with the...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr erik komatsu harrisburg senators huntsville stars nationals frontstory_nationals1

Nationals' "Beast Mode" in full effect

August 02, 2011, 7:29pm

Nationals

The Nationals have started to play some good baseball again, and this time, with an edge. Maybe they call it "Beast Mode." You have seen the Nationals' first baseman Michael Morse and his now-famous t-shirt during MASN's Nats Xtra postgame show interviews, haven't you? If not, here it is. It gained popularity thanks to the outstanding play of Morse, who has continued to mash the ball, hitting his 18th homer of the season, as part of a three-dinger barrage against Braves pitching in...

Comments

Tags:

atlanta braves byron kerr jayson werth jonny gomes michael morse nationals rick ankiel frontstory_nationals3

Rachel Levitin: Do you root for the name on the front or the back of the jersey?

August 03, 2011, 5:18am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Do you root for the name on the front or the back of the jersey?

The wild and crazy weekend of trade rumors and moves has passed. Before (and after) 4 p.m. Sunday, fans took to Twitter to express their concern about whether or not Drew Storen would stay on the Nationals' roster. With all of that hoopla over a singular player, a thought arose: Is it better to devote one's unconditional fandom to an individual player or to a team? There are pros and cons to measure both claims. To keep it simple, though, I've narrowed it down to a rubric of five items:...

Comments

Tags:

drew storen guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz rachel levitin

Catcher Nieto determined to make impression in second chance at Hagerstown

August 02, 2011, 7:22am

Nationals

Catcher Nieto determined to make impression in second chance at Hagerstown

Catcher Adrian Nieto has been moved from advanced Single-A Potomac to Single-A Hagerstown. The organization needs another catcher in Hagerstown, and Nieto will be able to get a lot of playing time there. It is a chance for Nieto to show how far he has come after struggling in Hagerstown last season. Nieto hit just .195 with 44 strikeouts in 2010 for the Suns. This season, he has worked very hard on his plate presence and swing at short-season Single-A Auburn. He came out on fire and was...

Comments

Tags:

auburn doubledays byron kerr gary cathcart hagerstown suns nationals potomac nationals frontstory_nationals2

Mark Hornbaker: You never know what will happen at a game

August 02, 2011, 10:45am

Nationals

Mark Hornbaker: You never know what will happen at a game

Like most Washington Nationals fans, I also get a little frustrated when the Nats struggle to win ballgames. I actually have friends that don't quite understand why I keep renewing my season tickets year after year. When they ask me why I keep doing it, I answer quickly: I do it because you never know when you may witness a little bit of D.C. baseball history. I believe the ballgame is more than just the winning and losing of the game. It is more about what you may see at the game. You never...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger mark hornbaker nationals nationals buzz

Nationals recall Balester from Triple-A Syracuse

August 02, 2011, 10:20am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Collin Balester from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Balester is 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA in eight appearances this season with the Nationals. In 25 career relief appearances with Washington, Balester is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA and a .234 batting average against. Balester, 25, went 2-1 with one save and a 4.35 ERA in...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Severino returned to Triple-A Syracuse

August 02, 2011, 6:56am

Nationals

Following tonight's 5-3 win over Atlanta, the Washington Nationals optioned left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Severino, 26, did not make any appearances during his two-game stint with Washington.

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Club source: Discussions have Strasburg's first rehab start at Hagerstown on Aug. 6

August 01, 2011, 12:55pm

Nationals

Club source: Discussions have Strasburg's first rehab start at Hagerstown on Aug. 6

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg continues to make solid progress as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery in Viera, Fla., and the team is nearing its decision to get him in rehab starts closer to home. Manager Davey Johnson said Strasburg is in "great shape" and is on target to have his first rehab assignment in the first week of August at Double-A Hagerstown. A club source said Hagerstown has been discussed as site for the first rehab start Aug. 6. Strasburg would then move on to high...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals potomac nationals stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals3

Lefty Rosenbaum to be promoted to Double-A Harrisburg

August 01, 2011, 4:19pm

Nationals

Lefty Rosenbaum to be promoted to Double-A Harrisburg

After a career performance Sunday in Potomac's win over Frederick, left-hander Danny Rosenbaum is headed to Double-A Harrisburg. Rosenbaum was electric Sunday, going eight innings and striking out a career-high 11 hitters, and has been the most consistent hitter at Potomac all season, going 6-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 20 games (19 starts). He has 108 strikeouts and has gone 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA in his last 10 starts. The P-Nats will activate left fielder J.P Ramirez and catcher Brian Peacock off...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr danny rosenbaum harrisburg senators nationals potomac nationals frontstory_nationals1

Nationals unconditionally release Matt Stairs

August 01, 2011, 10:17am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today unconditionally released outfielder/infielder Matt Stairs. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Stairs, 43, batted .154 with one double and two RBI in 56 games this season with Washington.

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Potomac lefty Rosenbaum "sharp" with 11 K's in win over Frederick

July 31, 2011, 7:34pm

Nationals

Potomac lefty Rosenbaum "sharp" with 11 K's in win over Frederick

Potomac Nationals left-hander

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr danny rosenbaum destin hood nationals paul menhart potomac nationals sandy leon frontstory_nationals3

Reactions to a busy non-waiver trade deadline

August 01, 2011, 8:40am

Nationals Orioles

Reactions to a busy non-waiver trade deadline

The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is gone, but that doesn't mean trades have stopped. They get trickier, though. Now, if a team wants to trade a player, he has to clear waivers. For example, if the Orioles wanted to trade a pitcher to the Yankees, that pitcher would have to be offered to every other team in the standings before the Yankees could get him. If, say, Cleveland wanted him, the Indians would put a claim on him. Then, the Orioles could either pull the pitcher back and or let...

Comments

Tags:

mel antonen nationals orioles trade deadline frontstory_nationals2

Dave Nichols: Strange weekend answers some questions, leaves others open

July 31, 2011, 3:39pm

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Strange weekend answers some questions, leaves others open

With the major league trade deadline at 4 p.m. Sunday, fans and media were already on the edges of their seats even before Sunday's game with the New York Mets started. So of course it would turn out to be a tense, nerve-wracking affair - scoreless until the fifth inning - adding to what was an already drama-filled day. When the dust settled, the Washington Nationals had earned their 51st victory of the season and everyone that started the game on the roster remained there. The Nats might be...

Comments

Tags:

dave nichols guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz

Detwiler settling into long role, solidifying bullpen

July 31, 2011, 3:52am

Nationals

Detwiler settling into long role, solidifying bullpen

It was a crucial moment for the Nationals Saturday against the New York Mets. Starter Yunesky Maya had slightly hurt himself running the base paths after five seamless innings on the hill. In the top of the sixth, with the Nationals clinging to a 3-0 lead, manager Davey Johnson had considered pulling Maya when he saw him come up lame. But Maya convinced Johnson to stay in and got Mets second baseman Justin Turner to fly out to center field for the first out. However, the next two batters,...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson drew storen nationals ross detwiler tom gorzelanny yunesky maya frontstory_nationals2

Solis says newest Nats prospect Walters is "textbook player"

July 30, 2011, 3:41pm

Nationals

Solis says newest Nats prospect Walters is "textbook player"

The Nationals acquired minor league shortstop Sammy Solis lived in the same dormitory as a freshman with Walters at the University of San Diego, and they spent three seasons as teammates on the Toreros. "Walters is a textbook player," Solis said. "He has got the build, the arm, the speed and the plate presence. Once he gains experience and is able to put it all together, he will be a big leaguer. It would be hard to find someone with better tools than him." The 6-foot-2, 195-lb.,...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr jason marquis nationals potomac nationals sammy solis zach walters frontstory_nationals2

Bixler recalled from Syracuse by Nationals

July 30, 2011, 10:01am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled infielder Brian Bixler from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Bixler posted a .314 batting average and .439 on-base percentage in 25 games this season with Syracuse. The 28-year-old scored 17 runs with five doubles, one home run, six RBI and four stolen bases for the Chiefs. In 45 games this season with Washington, Bixler has...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Johnson eyes Triple-A Syracuse to call up top pitching talent

July 29, 2011, 9:22pm

Nationals

Johnson eyes Triple-A Syracuse to call up top pitching talent

Following the Nationals' sixth consecutive loss Friday night, manager Davey Johnson admitted the organization is seriously considering calling up some of its talent from the pitching staff at Triple-A Syracuse. Johnson referenced both starters and relievers that would be available either to replace a struggling pitcher here, or fill a roster spot of a player that was traded. But make no mistake, Johnson was clear that they believe there could be at least two pitchers currently in Triple-A he...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson nationals syracuse chiefs tom milone frontstory_nationals1

Nationals acquire Erik Komatsu from Brewers in exchange for Hairston

July 30, 2011, 8:45am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today acquired 23 year-old outfielder Erik Komatsu from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Komatsu was named the Brewers' 2010 Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .323 with 31 doubles, five home runs and 63 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 130 games for Brevard County of the Single-A Florida State League....

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Wang struggles early, Mets take advantage over Nationals, 8-5

July 29, 2011, 5:32pm

Nationals

Following major shoulder surgery two years ago, it was a major accomplishment for Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang to pitch in a major league game again. In his first game as a National, Wang hit 89 to 93 mph with his fastball, but had difficulty missing bats in the first inning and the New York Mets were quick to take advantage. New York scored four times in the first inning, and with a steady 6 2/3 innings from starter Dillon Gee, were able to hold off the Washington Nationals, 8-5,...