nationals

Nats' taxi squad set to practice at new Fredericksburg stadium

July 06, 2020, 10:31am

The Fredericksburg Nationals announced today that the parent Nationals' alternate site for summer training player workouts will be at the new ballpark in Fredericksburg, Va. The club announced the first practice for the Nats' taxi squad is scheduled for tomorrow in Fredericksburg. The Nationals began summer training Friday at Nats Park. Opening day is scheduled for July 23. The new ballpark in Fredericksburg is the home stadium for the high Single-A FredNats, who were expected to begin play...

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Denaburg on his right shoulder recovery: "I feel like myself again"

July 06, 2020, 3:07pm

Nationals

Denaburg on his right shoulder recovery: "I feel like myself again"

Nationals 2018 first-round selection Mason Denaburg told me his recovery from a right shoulder cleanout last October is progressing nicely. After the Nats decided to take a precautionary step of slowing down his rehab during spring training, the right-hander is now doing so well that he is about to take that next step in his rehab throwing program. "I should be throwing bullpens in the next three weeks," Denaburg said. "I go 150 feet throwing-wise, the next week 180 feet and then the week...

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Turner tries out cold-weather field mask during Tuesday workout

July 07, 2020, 10:14am

Nationals

Turner tries out cold-weather field mask during Tuesday workout

Nationals shortstop Trea Turner was part of the infield group that got in a good workout Tuesday during summer training at Nats Park. On the field he wore his red field mask, covering his mouth, nose, ears and hair. Players normally wear that sort of gear only in cold weather. "Just messing around with that," Turner said during a Zoom video call with reporters. "I hadn't thought about it until today. "For me, I try to save my masks and not get them so dirty. This is a mask I wear to and...

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Scherzer grunts his way through three innings in Nats' first sim game

July 08, 2020, 10:30am

Nationals

Scherzer grunts his way through three innings in Nats' first sim game

The Nationals took their first big step back to live baseball today with an intrasquad game in the early afternoon at Nats Park. The highlight was watching three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, in his home white uniform with red numerals and blue trim, on the bump grunting his way through each pitch for three innings, firing 48 pitches. "He looked good," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez on a Zoom video call. "He threw 48 pitches. We wanted to keep him right at 50, three full...

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Martinez details plan for first week of intrasquad games

July 09, 2020, 2:41am

Nationals

Martinez details plan for first week of intrasquad games

The Nationals gave a glimpse of how they run mini sim games on Wednesday at Nats Park, the highlight being a chance for Max Scherzer to pitch for three innings with teammates taking at-bats against the three-time Cy Young Award winner. Eric Thames, Trea Turner, Adam Eaton, Michael A. Taylor and others got at least three at-bats apiece to feel what it would be like against live pitching as they count down to a July 23 opening night against the Yankees. "We're trying to get as many at-bats as...

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Players, staff respond with joy at finally receiving World Series rings

July 09, 2020, 11:23am

Nationals

Players, staff respond with joy at finally receiving World Series rings

It was another special day for the Nationals at Nationals Park, as players and staff received their 2019 World Series championship rings prior to Thursday's batting practice and on-field workouts. Left-hander Patrick Corbin unveiled his ring on Twitter and outfielder Adam Eaton had his reveal recorded and put up on his Instagram account. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg received his ring, too, but admitted he was worried when he saw the name on the outside of the gift box. "It was very special...

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Martinez impressed with how well the big four stuck to shutdown plan

July 10, 2020, 3:21am

Nationals

Martinez impressed with how well the big four stuck to shutdown plan

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer looked ready to go with his 48 pitches in his first summer training sim game at Nats Park. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg has his sim game today. Right-hander AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez threw more than 60 pitches on Thursday. Left-hander Patrick Corbin is expected to throw tomorrow. The Nationals want to make sure their big four are good to go for the 2020 season, and manager Davey Martinez said the guys came to summer training ready. He knows the starting...

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Eaton trying to keep it loose on field during this anxious time

July 10, 2020, 8:51am

Nationals

Eaton trying to keep it loose on field during this anxious time

Adam Eaton got to stand in for a couple of at-bats against right-hander Stephen Strasburg in Friday's morning sim game. He jokingly acted like he was going to bunt early on in the first at-bat, smiling as he returned to the batter's box. The right fielder ended up lining out to center field and then later grounded out back to Strasburg. All in all, he was happy to see real-life pitching as summer training reaches its second week. "It was good. Workouts have been smooth, just as all of...

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Eaton on playing in empty stadiums: "We are nothing without our fans"

July 11, 2020, 3:13am

Nationals

Eaton on playing in empty stadiums: "We are nothing without our fans"

In a world fighting through the coronavirus pandemic, baseball will begin the season with no fans in the stands. So how important is crowd noise to the players and to the coaches? Will there be an advantage or disadvantage in hearing what everyone is saying, having it echo throughout the field and the park? Nationals manager Davey Martinez understands it is a unique situation. The club had hoped to celebrate their World Series title with an opening day banner-raising in front of their adoring...

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Corbin pitches well in simulated game; protocols annoy Thames

July 11, 2020, 10:39am

Nationals

Corbin pitches well in simulated game; protocols annoy Thames

The Nationals extended Saturday's sim game into the fifth inning, one inning more than they played on Friday. Left-hander Patrick Corbin was the featured starter, allowing one run over three innings. Innings were stopped when he reached 13-14 pitches. "Pat threw the ball well. We wanted to keep him under 40 pitches, he threw 43, but he said he felt good," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez during a Zoom video call. "So, we will go from there. The biggest thing was get them three ups...

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Thames working hard on his defense at first base

July 12, 2020, 4:04am

Nationals

Thames working hard on his defense at first base

Eric Thames has been playing first base almost exclusively in every Nationals simulated game this week. Before and after the simulated games, Thames is taking ground balls at first base, focusing on getting better on defense. Many believe Thames will be employed by Nationals manager Davey Martinez as the team's designated hitter, but the ultimate Nats lineup for 2020 would be having Thames and Howie Kendrick in the starting nine at the same time, with one at first base and one as the...

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Nats announce Fauci will throw first pitch at Thursday opener

July 20, 2020, 12:33pm

Nationals

Nats announce Fauci will throw first pitch at Thursday opener

BALTIMORE - The Nationals announced today that Dr. Anthony Fauci will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday on opening night before the nationally televised game against the Yankees. Fauci, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been seen in public appearances wearing a Nats face mask during the coronavirus shutdown and is a noted Nats fan, attending about a dozen games in person each season and watching another 40-50 on television. A...

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Strasburg consistent, if not overpowering, in win over O's (updated)

July 20, 2020, 5:01pm

Nationals

Strasburg consistent, if not overpowering, in win over O's (updated)

BALTIMORE - On a hot, muggy night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Stephen Strasburg didn't hit his usual mid-90s readings on his fastball, but he was consistent for five innings as the Nationals dropped the Orioles 4-2 in an exhibition game. Strasburg ended up throwing 81 pitches over five frames, 52 for strikes. Strasburg allowed one run on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks. His fastball was clocked around 92-93 mph, but his curveball and changeup were solid. The biggest factor was...

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Strasburg, Martinez detail how different road trip is during pandemic

July 20, 2020, 7:25pm

Nationals

Strasburg, Martinez detail how different road trip is during pandemic

BALTIMORE - To get a good idea how baseball has changed during the coronavirus pandemic, just take a glimpse inside a quick day trip up Interstate 95 for the Nationals as they took on the Orioles in their second exhibition game of summer training. The Nationals chartered five buses that left Nationals Park starting at 1 p.m. for the scheduled 6:05 p.m. first pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. "Everybody was assigned a bus," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez on a Zoom call. "We had...

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Status report on bullpen as opening day draws closer

July 21, 2020, 5:34pm

Nationals

Status report on bullpen as opening day draws closer

The Nationals bullpen got off to an incredibly rough start in 2019. The Nats struggled in losing 31 of their first 50 games before key additions helped them to recover as the season progressed. But the Nats bullpen's overall ERA for the regular season was still an uncomfortable 5.66. In a season with just 60 games on the schedule, that early season weakness from a year ago cannot repeat itself or the Nats will be in big trouble. Daniel Hudson, a critical acquisition during the season, became...

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Scherzer says adrenaline to fuel opening day start in empty stadium

July 22, 2020, 12:11pm

Nationals

Scherzer says adrenaline to fuel opening day start in empty stadium

The 2020 regular season finally gets underway for the defending world champions tonight when they host the New York Yankees at Nats Park. It's game one of 60 on the schedule and will be played before a nationally televised audience, but without fans in the stadium. Right-hander Max Scherzer is again on the hill to begin a season for the Nationals, but this time around under unique safety protocols and rules in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's like every opening day," Scherzer said...

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Nats announce 2020 opening day 30-man roster

July 23, 2020, 11:01am

Nationals

Nats announce 2020 opening day 30-man roster

The Nationals have announced their 30-man opening day roster for the 2020 regular season, which was overshadowed by the news that outfielder Juan Soto has tested positive for COVID-19 and is on the injured list to begin the season. Soto is not currently showing any symptoms. General manager Mike Rizzo confirmed that Soto is "asymptomatic." Austin Voth has been named the fifth starter to begin the season, while Erick Fedde will pitch out of the bullpen. "Austin Voth will definitely be our...

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Yankees up early on Scherzer (Nats fall 4-1 in five innings)

July 23, 2020, 3:48pm

Nationals

Yankees up early on Scherzer (Nats fall 4-1 in five innings)

The Nationals celebrated their first world championship with a flag raising in the center field plaza and a hoisting of the 2019 World Series pennant above the video board in right field before tonight's Major League Baseball opener against the Yankees at Nationals Park. One can only imagine how loud Nats Park would have been in any other season opener with 43,000 fans on their feet to share in the accomplishment. But this is 2020, and with the world in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic,...

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Scherzer blames fastball location problems early in 4-1 loss

July 23, 2020, 8:27pm

Nationals

Scherzer blames fastball location problems early in 4-1 loss

Max Scherzer wanted to get off to a good start on opening night, but it just didn't happen. Against a strong Yankees lineup, Scherzer did his best to avoid trouble, but when you have to face the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton multiple times in a game, trouble can find you. Scherzer allowed a two-run homer and a run-scoring single to Stanton, and Judge delivered a single and an RBI double as the Yankees took down the Nationals 4-1 in rain-shortened five innings to finally jumpstart...

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Nats on kneeling with black ribbon as symbol of unity prior to national anthem

July 24, 2020, 8:42am

Nationals

Nats on kneeling with black ribbon as symbol of unity prior to national anthem

Nationals players and coaching staff knelt down prior to the national anthem on opening night alongside the Yankees, holding a black ribbon that extended from the left field foul pole around home plate all the way out to the right field foul pole at Nationals Park. The moment was planned and agreed upon by all involved to be a unifying show of support for Black Lives Matter, and to raise awareness of the issues of police brutality and injustice toward Black people that has been rampant in the...