nationals

Finnegan on making the Nats roster: "It's incredible"

July 25, 2020, 12:45pm

Right-hander Kyle Finnegan has been in the minors since 2013, so making the opening day roster in 2020 with the Nationals was a big step. Since arriving as a sixth-round pick by the Athletics, Finnegan has played for seven different teams and logged time at every level. He was a starter from 2013 to 2015, making it to Double-A in 2014 and Triple-A in 2017. The Nats signed him as a free agent in December 2019. In late March, the Nats optioned him to Double-A Harrisburg. But then the coronavirus...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr coronavirus davey martinez kyle finnegan nationals paul menhart featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Fedde starts quickly, so does offense (Nats win 9-2)

July 25, 2020, 4:22pm

Nationals

Fedde starts quickly, so does offense (Nats win 9-2)

The Nationals were the ones that came up with the early offense against the Yankees Saturday night. Starlin Castro drilled an opposite-field two-out triple off of left-hander James Paxton in the first inning, but Howie Kendrick flew out to center field to end the threat. But in the second inning, the Nats reeled off four consecutive hits to send Paxton to the showers. AsdrÃºbal Cabrera, Kurt Suzuki and Carter Kieboom started the inning with back-to-back-to-back singles. Kieboom fought back...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr erick fedde nationals victor robles yankees featured_sidebar

Robles' all-around game helps lift Nats to first win of season

July 25, 2020, 8:21pm

Nationals

Robles' all-around game helps lift Nats to first win of season

One of the players many hoped would step up offensively for the Nationals in 2020 did just that in game two of this abbreviated campaign. Victor Robles is one of the Nats many hoped could pick up the offensive slack left when Anthony Rendon signed with the Angels. Saturday night he showed that promise, going 3-for-4 with a double, a two-run homer and four RBIs in the Nats' 9-2 win over the Yankees. It was the defending champions first win of 2020. "Tremendous," said manager Davey Martinez on...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey martinez juan soto michael a. taylor nationals victor robles yankees featured_sidebar

No update on Soto, Martinez cautious with Strasburg recovery

July 26, 2020, 8:07am

Nationals

No update on Soto, Martinez cautious with Strasburg recovery

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said there is no update available yet on outfielder Juan Soto and his testing for COVID-19. "Nothing," Martinez said during his pregame video conference call Sunday. "Like I said, we'll get him as soon as he's able to come back. We'll get him going again. That's all I have." Soto received a positive test on Thursday morning and has been staying home in D.C. since. He needs two negative test results separated by 24 hours to be eligible to be...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr carter kieboom daniel hudson davey martinez juan soto kyle finnegan michael a. taylor nationals roenis elias sean doolittle stephen strasburg wander suero will harris featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Corbin starts smooth, Turner notches first HR (Nats fall 3-2)

July 26, 2020, 10:01am

Nationals

Corbin starts smooth, Turner notches first HR (Nats fall 3-2)

Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin came out of the blocks mesmerizing with his fastball and patented slider in the final game of the opening series against the Yankees Sunday afternoon at Nats Park. Through the first three innings, Corbin struck out five batters, and the other four hitters all grounded out to third base or shortstop. Yankees bullpen starter Jonathan Loaisiga had also been outstanding, featuring a fastball in the 97-99 mph range and a knee-buckling curveball at 84 mph. That...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals patrick corbin trea turner yankees featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Elias placed on 60-day injured list with left elbow injury

July 26, 2020, 1:53pm

Nationals

Elias placed on 60-day injured list with left elbow injury

The Nationals announced that reliever Roenis ElÃas is being placed on the 60-day injured list due to a left elbow flexor strain. Because the move is retroactive to July 13, ElÃas could be activated in 45 days. But a flexor strain is an injury that can sometimes be a precursor to Tommy John surgery, which would keep a pitcher out of action for over 12 months. So ElÃas and the Nats are being extremely cautious in monitoring this injury. They will rehab the elbow in hopes that ElÃas...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr featured_sidebar nationals roenis elias frontstory_nationals3

Corbin was on target for first start of 2020

July 27, 2020, 2:39am

Nationals

Corbin was on target for first start of 2020

Patrick Corbin did almost everything right in his Sunday start against the Yankees. His slider was working to perfection, his fastball was locating well and his sinker was difficult to touch. Corbin was pitching so well that he did not allow New York a baserunner until the fourth inning. The first batted ball to leave the infield was a Gleyber Torres single with two outs in the fourth. Three innings later, Torres ended Corbin's shutout bid with a solo homer. Corbin was pulled after that home,...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey martinez nationals patrick corbin yankees featured_sidebar

Martinez on Marlins' coronavirus outbreak: "I'm scared"

July 27, 2020, 11:28am

Nationals

Martinez on Marlins' coronavirus outbreak: "I'm scared"

Nationals manager Davey Martinez got emotional at the end of his pregame video call today, and said he was worried about himself and his players after the news that 14 Marlins players and staff have tested positive for COVID-19. The Nats are scheduled to host the Blue Jays in a two-game series that begins tonight at Nats Park. "My level of concern went from about an eight to a 12," Martinez said. "This thing really hits home now that you see half a team get infected and go from one city to...

Comments

Tags:

blue jays byron kerr coronavirus davey martinez juan soto nationals stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Blue Jays go long to rough up SÃ¡nchez (Nats fall 4-1)

July 27, 2020, 3:41pm

Nationals

Blue Jays go long to rough up SÃ¡nchez (Nats fall 4-1)

The Blue Jays used the longball to build an early lead against Nationals veteran AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez in his first start of the season Monday night. Teoscar HernÃ¡ndez led off the game with a solo homer to give Toronto a 1-0 advantage. It was HernÃ¡ndez's third career leadoff home run. In the fourth inning, the Blue Jays enjoyed the longball again thanks to solo shots from Rowdy Tellez and Danny Jansen. All three roundtrippers were the first homers of the season for those Blue Jays...

Comments

Tags:

anibal sanchez blue jays byron kerr eric thames kurt suzuki nationals

Aggressive Blue Jays hit four homers off SÃ¡nchez in 4-1 setback

July 27, 2020, 6:26pm

Nationals

Aggressive Blue Jays hit four homers off SÃ¡nchez in 4-1 setback

The Blue Jays used the longball to build an early lead against Nationals veteran AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez. Thanks to four solo homers and four double plays that kept the Nats offense from igniting, Toronto grabbed the series opener 4-1 on Monday night. Setting the tone on the game's second pitch, Teoscar HernÃ¡ndez led off with a solo homer to right-center field to give Toronto a 1-0 advantage. It was HernÃ¡ndez's third career leadoff home run, one of two homers for the slugger off of...

Comments

Tags:

anibal sanchez byron kerr davey martinez kurt suzuki nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Soto receives another negative test result, now waiting on MLB and D.C.

July 28, 2020, 12:28pm

Nationals

Soto receives another negative test result, now waiting on MLB and D.C.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez had good news regarding the health of outfielder Juan Soto, who has been away from the team since July 23 after receiving a positive test for COVID-19. Martinez reported yesterday that Soto had already received one official negative test from Major League Baseball and the Nationals were awaiting the results of a second test. "We did get another result back today," Martinez said on a video call Tuesday before the game against the Blue Jays. "He tested...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey martinez juan soto max scherzer nationals sean doolittle stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Eaton's RBI single answers Guerrero's early homer (Nats fall 5-1)

July 28, 2020, 2:48pm

Nationals

Eaton's RBI single answers Guerrero's early homer (Nats fall 5-1)

The Blue Jays got ahead of right-hander Austin Voth and the Nationals in the second inning on a home run from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Left fielder Emilio BonifÃ¡cio and center fielder Victor Robles went after Guerrero's long fly ball to left-center field. The two collided at the wall and the ball went over the fence for a home run. Robles appeared to have the ball in his glove for a moment right before the two collided. BonifÃ¡cio went down on his back but got up with the help of Robles. The...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton austin voth blue jays byron kerr nationals tanner roark trea turner frontfeatured_nationals anibal sanchez

Roark's curveball helps confuse former team as Blue Jays sweep Nats

July 28, 2020, 6:19pm

Nationals

Roark's curveball helps confuse former team as Blue Jays sweep Nats

The Nationals did not have a good start again Tuesday night. This time, it was an old friend who made them uncomfortable. In his first start at Nationals Park since Sept. 5, 2018, right-hander Tanner Roark beat his former team as the Blue Jays dropped the Nats 5-1, sweeping the two-game series. Roark spent six seasons with the Nats from 2013-2018, and was a member of three National East championship clubs. His three best seasons in the majors, going a combined 44-31, coincided with...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton byron kerr nationals tanner roark trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Soto cleared to play, waiting on D.C.; Strasburg "day-to-day"

July 29, 2020, 11:35am

Nationals

Soto cleared to play, waiting on D.C.; Strasburg "day-to-day"

Nationals manager Davey Martinez opened his pregame video call with the announcement that Juan Soto has been cleared to return to play by Major League Baseball. Martinez confirmed the outfielder has had two negative lab tests in a row for COVID-19. But now there is still one more hurdle before the Nats can get him back to playing baseball. "We're still waiting for clearance from the D.C. Health Department," Martinez said. "We hope to have him back Aug. 1, so he could work out with us...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr juan soto max scherzer nate pearson nationals stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Scherzer and rookie Pearson in pitching duel (Nats win 4-0 in 10)

July 29, 2020, 3:01pm

Nationals

Scherzer and rookie Pearson in pitching duel (Nats win 4-0 in 10)

Top Blue Jays prospect Nate Pearson went toe-to-toe with three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer Wednesday night at Nats Park in Toronto's "home" opener. In the first three innings, Pearson allowed one hit and two walks but no runs, with two strikeouts. His fastball ranging from 96 to 98 mph. In the first inning, Adam Eaton walked with one out and stole second base. He got to third with two outs but was stranded there on an Eric Thames' line drive out to left field. In the third...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton blue jays byron kerr max scherzer nate pearson nationals trea turner frontstory_nationals3

Hudson and Rainey step up with power pitches to finally drop Blue Jays

July 29, 2020, 7:28pm

Nationals

Hudson and Rainey step up with power pitches to finally drop Blue Jays

In pitchers' duel that continued into the late innings of a scoreless tie, the Nats bullpen took center stage. After the Nats finally got on the board, a pair of power relievers completed the shutout. Daniel Hudson and Tanner Rainey combined to strike out six batters over the course of the final eight outs as the Nats notched a much-needed win in a 4-0 shutout of the Blue Jays in 10 innings. Max Scherzer pitched into the eighth, but gave up a single and later a walk in that inning. With one...

Comments

Tags:

blue jays byron kerr daniel hudson davey martinez max scherzer nationals tanner rainey trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Castro and Kieboom lead Nats to 6-4 win in series finale (updated)

July 30, 2020, 3:29pm

Nationals

Castro and Kieboom lead Nats to 6-4 win in series finale (updated)

The Nationals had to leave a lot of firepower on the bench in Thursday's series afternoon finale. Howie Kendrick is recovering from tightness in his upper back, Eric Thames was not in lineup because the Nats were facing a left-hander and Juan Soto is still awaiting clearance from the D.C. Department of Health to return to the field for workouts. Plus, the Nats were up against left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu, the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the National League Division Series for the Dodgers in...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr carter kieboom eric thames erick fedde kurt suzuki michael a. taylor nationals starlin castro tanner rainey featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Soto hits intrasquad homer, believes he had a false positive

August 01, 2020, 10:16am

Nationals

Soto hits intrasquad homer, believes he had a false positive

For the first time in over a week, Nationals slugger Juan Soto was back playing baseball at Nats Park today. The 21-year-old had been out of action since July 23 following a positive COVID-19 test result. He was cleared to return today, and got in a half a dozen at-bats during the Nats' simulated game. Soto grounded out a couple of times to begin the sim game, struck out, but then cranked a double and unloaded a solo homer off Nats reliever Kyle McGowin during the five-inning intrasquad...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr featured_sidebar juan soto nationals frontstory_nationals3

Updates on Kendrick, Turner, Harris, Doolittle and Strasburg

August 01, 2020, 10:25am

Nationals

Updates on Kendrick, Turner, Harris, Doolittle and Strasburg

Nationals infielders Howie Kendrick and Trea Turner sat out Saturday's simulated game. Kendrick is still nursing upper back tightness, and manager Davey Martinez wanted to give his shortstop a day too. "He just sat out," Martinez said, referring to Turner, during this afternoon's Zoom call. "He plays every day, every inning, so he just wanted a couple days off. Probably be back out there tomorrow. Howie said he felt better today. He's going to see how he feels tomorrow. He might get a...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey martinez howie kendrick nationals stephen strasburg trea turner wander suero wil crowe will harris featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Solid spring, summer have helped Bourque build confidence

August 01, 2020, 4:14pm

Nationals

Solid spring, summer have helped Bourque build confidence

James Bourque started Saturday's sim game at Nats Park. It was good for the right-hander to get some work in, because the Nationals will have five days between their last game, against the Blue Jays, and their next matchup, Tuesday against the Mets. Bourque pitched an inning against the Yankees July 25 and then 1/3 of an inning July 28 against the Blue Jays. So he will go a minimum of seven days without game appearances. And he's not the only one. Saturday was an important opportunity for...