What a difference a year has made for Nationals right-hander Collin Balester. Heading into spring training 2010, Balester was a starter with 22 games under his belt, but not much consistency - and a tendency for giving up some big runs.
After working hard in the minors to redefine his role and regain confidence on the mound, Balester made a nice transition to the bullpen.
"I think this year I feel a lot better where I am at," Balester said. "Last year, I heard going in, 'If you don't...
Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann expects big things from himself this season after missing most of 2010 rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery.
There was that moment last year that had him - and the Nationals - hopeful. On the mound in Single-A Frederick, the opposing pitcher was laboring in sizzling, summer heat and drawing out each inning.
Then Zimmermann, pitching for Potomac, took to the hill and fired crisp, on-target fast balls and knee-buckling changeups, attacking and...
Nationals pitchers and catchers report Tuesday in Viera, Fla., with the most talented group since the team moved to Washington. That might not be saying much considering the struggles the team has had, but you still have to be impressed with the work general manager Mike Rizzo has done to assemble two dozen pitchers that will compete for a chance at the 25-man for opening day.
The sheer number of pitchers available to pitching coach Steve McCatty made him downright giddy earlier this month as...
Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a January trade, will be making his first appearance in a Nationals uniform at spring training in Viera, Fla., early next week.
The Nationals look like a good fit for the big southpaw, who moves from a crowded rotation to a staff in need of consistency in its starting five.
 
Carrie Muskat, who covers the Cubs for MLB.com, says Chicago has a lot of starting depth, so maybe a change of scenery was...
If full season or half season plans are too much, but you still want guaranteed tickets for a few Nationals games this season, the Nationals have more options available.
In addition to the three mini-plans released last week, the Nationals will now offer five Grand Slam Flex Plans for the 2011 season. These packages, which start at $60, allow fans to select four games from one of five plans and receive a fifth game free.
Fans can choose from Screech's Curly "W" Plan, the Double Play Promo...
Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg continues making excellent progress in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery at the end of last season.
Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post last month about how Strasburg is getting in such good shape that he has six-pack abdominal muscles.
McCatty said at first he didn't believe it, so he decided to set up a friendly wager with Strasburg.
"We have a bet," McCatty told me. "Strassy and I have a bet. He...
Catching prospect Derek Norris is primed to begin spring training with the Nationals in Viera, Fla., next week. He will arrive at the facility a few days prior to the mandatory Feb. 15 report date. Last week, Norris was one of seven players invited to join the Nationals spring training workouts at Space Coast stadium.
"It is always good to get invited to spring training especially after having a little bit of a down year last season," said Norris, who batted just .235 in 94 games for...
The Single-A Potomac Nationals have a new manager in Matt LeCroy to defend their Mills Cup championship in 2011. The former major leaguer guided the Single-A Hagerstown Suns last season and is excited to head to Woodbridge with a few of the players that made a difference at his previous stop along for the ride.
"We had a good year last year," LeCroy said. "Guys really progressed, actually way better than we thought. Now, they will be able to move up. It is a challenging league. It will be a...
The Nationals extended invitations to spring training to another batch of players Friday and right-hander Josh Wilkie from George Washington University was among them.
Wilkie notched nine holds and eight saves with a 2.45 ERA and .228 batting average against in 53 games, including one start, last season for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.
In five minor league seasons, the 26-year-old has 28 holds, 31 saves and a 2.91 ERA in 210 games. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in June 2006, he is a...
The Nationals have announced a new lineup of ticket mini-plans for fans to purchase this season. Each plan features one free game.
The brand new Manager's Plan offers 15 games for the price of 14. The best part is that fans can create their own lineup of favorite games through this plan, which includes opening day, interleague games and games against National League East rivals.
Ivan Rodriguez is not yet a member of baseball's Hall of Fame, but according to the Nationals, fans can watch him...
Former Nationals outfielder and University of Maryland star Justin Maxwell has been traded to the New York Yankees and is thrilled to be able to continue his dream of playing major league baseball. But Maxwell also will miss his former teammates and coaches.
Maxwell found out about the deal only a few minutes before we talked and battled a bad cell connection when he was told. But he was able to make out "trade" and "Yankees".
"I am pumped up and my family is excited, too," Maxwell...
Carolina League Player of the Year Tyler Moore is likely to begin the season in Double-A Harrisburg after smashing several records for the Mills Cup champion Potomac Nationals last year, according to Washington Nationals director of player development Doug Harris.
"He had a phenomenal year, I have never seen anything like it in 22 years. He was hitting .199 at the halfway mark and ended up hitting .260 with 30-plus (homers) and 100-plus (RBIs)," Harris said. " It is really a credit to...
With spring training just two weeks away, future prospects in the Nationals' system are getting ready to showcase their talents for the team's top brass in Florida.
Nationals director of player development Doug Harris attended the Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet on Sunday night in Springfield, Va., and shared some insight as to who might be with the big club as the team heads back to D.C. in late March.
Harris believes the franchise has built depth that will help the Nationals get...
New Potomac manager Matt LeCroy was introduced and Washington Nationals assistant general manager Bryan Minniti served as the keynote speaker at the 16th annual Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet at the Hilton in Springfield, Va., on Sunday night.
LeCroy was promoted in the offseason after guiding Single-A Hagerstown last year. A lot of those prospects will again be under his tutelage now at Single-A Potomac of the Carolina League.
"It is a challenging league," LeCroy noted. "I...
Nationals right-hander Garrett Mock is excited to get started with the 2011 season after an injury-filled 2010 campaign that included neck surgery.
Mock has been working out and throwing in his hometown of Houston and plans to report to Viera, Fla., the Nationals' spring training home, next Friday so he can find an apartment and get an early start.
"I just got done with a throwing session," Mock said. "I did some long toss, nothing strenuous. I will have a longer bullpen session...
Professional athletes and celebrities including Nationals pitcher Collin Balester have teamed up with TwitChange, an online organizing and fundraising service to raise money for Operation Once in a Lifetime. The TwitChange campaign is led by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who recruited dozens of fellow athletes and celebrities on Twitter to join his cause.
From today through Feb. 5, fans can bid on Twitter-inspired auctions featuring their favorite celebrities and athletes including...
Sick of staring at the piles of snow, fallen trees and slushy roads? Wouldn't you rather be enjoying Florida's sunny beaches or catching rays at a Nationals spring training game?
On Saturday morning, you can book your flight, get your tickets and start imagining warmer temperatures. Nationals spring training tickets go on sale at 10 a.m.
You won't want to miss any of the action leading into the 2011 season. But moreover, who can resist an escape to the south?
Why not go to Viera, Fla., a...
Nationals left-handed starter John Lannan avoided arbitration last week, signing a one-year contract reportedly worth $2.75 million. This was a significant step for Lannan after last year's odyssey from an arm injury to Double-A demotion, then back to D.C. and a powerful 6-3 finish.
Lannan was very pleased to avoid an arbitration hearing and get a deal completed well before spring training.
"I think overall it went well," Lannan said. "I think both sides are happy not to have to go to...
Nationals pitcher Craig Stammen has spent most of his time this offseason working out in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, or here in Washington as he gets ready for spring training next month. The right-hander feels very good after a successful transition to the bullpen in the second half of 2010.
"I have been in D.C. more than in the past," Stammen said. "I have been able to work with our strength coach, John Philbin, and get all my stuff done. It has been good. I feel like I have my body...



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