nationals

Slow-climbing Nats now have chance to pick up the pace

June 24, 2019, 7:04pm

The Nationals just completed their most important homestand of the season to date. We noted it. They acknowledged it. And while the 6-4 record they posted against the Diamondbacks, Phillies and Braves may feel a bit disappointing given the opportunities they had to win a couple more games, that's actually a good representation of what they need to do the rest of the season to have a realistic shot at making the playoffs. We've pointed out that the Nationals have played .667 ball since their...

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Source: Nationals calling up 42-year-old reliever Rodney

June 24, 2019, 2:59pm

Nationals

The Nationals are going to take a flyer on another late-inning reliever with a track record of success but ugly numbers this season. Fernando Rodney, the 42-year-old with 325 career saves but a 9.42 ERA in 17 big league games this season, will be promoted from Triple-A Fresno and added to the active roster before Tuesday's series opener against the Marlins in Miami, a source familiar with the transaction confirmed. Rodney owns a 3.79 ERA and a long track record as a quality late-inning...

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Fedde optioned to Fresno, opening door for Voth to start again

June 24, 2019, 6:27am

Nationals

Fedde optioned to Fresno, opening door for Voth to start again

It appears Austin Voth's fill-in start Sunday opened enough eyes to warrant another look. The Nationals have optioned Erick Fedde to Triple-A Fresno, paving the way for Voth to remain as part of the big league rotation on the heels of his impressive outing Sunday afternoon against the Braves. Fedde had assumed the No. 5 starter's job over the last month, and had pitched well for much of that time, posting a 2.70 ERA in four outings. But he gave up five runs in six innings to the Diamondbacks...

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The secret intricacies of the Nats' outfield defense

June 24, 2019, 3:35am

Nationals

The secret intricacies of the Nats' outfield defense

One way the Nationals assist their young outfielders in preparing for where to set up defensively is outfield positioning cards. The laminated cards, not much bigger than a credit card, fit in the back pocket of their uniform pants. Left fielder Juan Soto and center fielder Victor Robles use the cards to see where they should stand defensively. Terms like "Pull 3" mean Soto should move three steps to his right for a right-handed hitter. "Oppo 6" directs Robles to moves six steps to his...

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Nationals fall in 10 to close out big week on down note (updated)

June 23, 2019, 12:48pm

Nationals

The outcome today - a 4-3, 10-inning loss - may not have been what they wanted, certainly not on the heels of Saturday night's bullpen meltdown. But in the larger picture, the Nationals can't be too down about what just took place on South Capitol Street. In their most important week of the season, the Nats went 4-2 against the two teams they're chasing in the National League East. They still have significant ground to make up, but they've got ample opportunity to do it, and they made...

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On Voth's velocity, a bullpen opening and Zimmerman's rehab

June 23, 2019, 9:21pm

Nationals

On Voth's velocity, a bullpen opening and Zimmerman's rehab

Some thoughts and observations to help get you through the Nationals' first day off in nearly two weeks before they return to action Tuesday night in Miami ... * The most significant development of Sunday's 10-inning loss to the Braves didn't occur in the late innings. It might well have happened in the first six, when Austin Voth authored by far the best outing of his brief major league career. Pressed into emergency starting duties to compensate for the pair of rainouts at the start of the...

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Robles sits day after dehydration scare (game tied 2-2)

June 23, 2019, 10:11am

Nationals

Robles sits day after dehydration scare (game tied 2-2)

Though he said this morning he felt "great" after departing Saturday night's game with dehydration, center field Victor Robles was held out of the Nationals lineup for their series finale against the Braves. "Not starting, but he's available," manager Davey Martinez said. "When you have a scary moment like that ... I told him be ready to come into the game. If it was a night game, it may be different. But we had a quick turnaround, so we will use him off the bench." Robles gave the...

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Braves may lead NL East, but can they sustain extended run of success

June 23, 2019, 1:46pm

Nationals

Braves may lead NL East, but can they sustain extended run of success

After a 4-3 extra-inning win Sunday, the Braves lead the Nationals by 8 Â½ games in the National League East. So why does it seem the Nationals have the advantage as the season's second half approaches? It's because the Nationals have a more reliable rotation. The Braves have been white-hot during June, but they are doing it with an offense that averages more than seven runs a game. Teams that win by pounding other teams with runs find that difficult to sustain. On the other hand, the...

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Conceding $8 million mistake, Nationals release Rosenthal

June 23, 2019, 8:52am

Nationals

For one fleeting moment Friday night, the Nationals thought Trevor Rosenthal had turned the corner and could finally become a trusted member of their bullpen. But then came yet another high-profile meltdown on the mound Saturday night, and so by Sunday morning, the team made the move that had loomed for months but was put off until now. The Nationals released Rosenthal today, finally conceding defeat on a reclamation project that went haywire in the season's first week and never could be...

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Updates on Robles, Ross, Rosenthal and Voth

June 22, 2019, 8:36pm

Nationals

Updates on Robles, Ross, Rosenthal and Voth

Nationals manager Davey Martinez had no second update on Victor Robles after the center fielder left Saturday night's game due to symptoms of dehydration. Robles left in the second inning of the Braves' 13-9 comeback victory. Nationals starter AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez watched as Robles dropped down on one knee behind him in the top of the second during a Nick Markakis at-bat. "I don't know what's going on back there at that moment, but, you know, just figure out after," SÃ¡nchez said. "It...

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Game 77 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (Rosenthal released)

June 23, 2019, 6:27am

Nationals

Game 77 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (Rosenthal released)

This critical week had been going about as well as possible for the Nationals. They swept the Phillies. They won Friday night's opener against the Braves in exciting fashion. And then ... well, Saturday night's 13-9 loss - which saw the bullpen blow a pair of late leads - obviously put a big damper on the week and suddenly put more weight on today's finale at Nationals Park. A win today and the Nats would still going 5-1 against two division rivals and make a real statement that they're...

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Bullpen blows big lead at home as Nationals lose 13-9 (updated)

June 22, 2019, 6:54pm

Nationals

The Nationals could not hold a lead against the first-place Atlanta Braves on Saturday in an all-too-familiar scene reminiscent of April or early May, falling 13-9 in shocking fashion. The Nats allowed 5-1, 8-4 and 9-8 leads evaporate, mostly thanks to their bullpen, which had seemed to regain its footing in June. But the 'pen suddenly retreated to its previous beleaguered state with a disastrous seventh and eighth inning. The Braves scored nine runs in the final three frames to prevent the...

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Nationals recall Kyle McGowin

June 23, 2019, 7:35am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin from Triple-A Fresno and optioned right-handed pitcher Joe Ross to Triple-A Fresno on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. McGowin, 27, returns to the Nationals for his second Major League assignment of 2019. He appeared in three games in his previous stint, recording one save and a 9.90 ERA in three outings. He appeared in one game for Triple-A Fresno on June...

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Nationals recall Austin Voth

June 23, 2019, 7:05am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Austin Voth from Double-A Harrisburg and released right-handed pitcher Trevor Rosenthal on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Voth, 26, joins the Nationals after going 3-5 with a 4.40 ERA in 12 starts for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies in 2019. He struck out 68 batters in 61.1 innings pitched (10.0 SO/9.0 IP), issued 15 walks and allowed just seven home runs in the hitter...

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Zimmerman's rehab continues; notes on bullpen, Sunday's starter

June 22, 2019, 1:35pm

Nationals

Zimmerman's rehab continues; notes on bullpen, Sunday's starter

Ryan Zimmerman went 1-for-1 with a walk in his first rehab game Friday for Double-A Harrisburg. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Zimmerman and his right foot came out of the game OK. The veteran first baseman has been on the injured list since April 28, missing 48 games, with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. "A little sore today. But feels good," Martinez said. "Ran first to third, walk, ran first to third, was OK, we will see how he feels today. He's scheduled to play again today...

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Game 76 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

June 22, 2019, 8:42am

Nationals

The Nationals arrive for Saturday night's matchup at Nats Park against the first-place Braves with an opportunity to win their second straight series over Atlanta. Just as important with a victory tonight the Nats can return to the .500 mark for the first time since April 23 (11-11). Washington went to 2-0 in late May at SunTrust Park. Counting tonight, the Nats still have 16 regular season games left against the Braves. Following Friday night's 4-3 victory, the Nats have now won a...

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Robles leaves game due to dehydration (Nats trail 12-9)

June 22, 2019, 3:54pm

Nationals

Robles leaves game due to dehydration (Nats trail 12-9)

Center fielder Victor Robles took a knee with one out in the top of the second during a Nick Markakis at-bat. With the count 2-0, Robles went down to one knee and the game was stopped. Following consultation for a couple of minutes with Nationals director of athletic training Paul Lessard and manager Davey Martinez, Robles left the game. Sitting on the field, the center fielder appeared dizzy and dazed as he spoke to Lessard. He was replaced by Michael A. Taylor. Gametime temperature was 81...

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Finally entrusted in big spot, Rosenthal comes through

June 21, 2019, 8:49pm

Nationals

Finally entrusted in big spot, Rosenthal comes through

As he handed Trevor Rosenthal the baseball with the game on the line Friday night - a scenario that had not been seen around these parts since the season's very first week - Davey Martinez had a simple message for his beleaguered right-hander. "This is your moment," manager said to pitcher. "Enjoy it." Given what Rosenthal has been through in 2019, why not try to spread a little positivity in a critical moment? Four pitches and one gargantuan out later, Rosenthal indeed was enjoying the...

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Strasburg maintains after slow start, rolls to eighth win 4-3

June 21, 2019, 8:06pm

Nationals

Strasburg maintains after slow start, rolls to eighth win 4-3

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg managed to hang in there despite a slow start Friday night, accruing six innings and watching as his Nationals came back from a 3-0 deficit to edge the Braves, 4-3. Strasburg lasted six innings, allowing three runs in the first three innings, but then shut out the Braves for three frames to improve to 8-4. Austin Riley's two-run homer in the second and an RBI double from Freddie Freeman lifted the Braves to a 3-0 lead in the third. "You're going to give them...

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Suero excited to earn first big league save

June 21, 2019, 7:48pm

Nationals

Suero excited to earn first big league save

In another one-run nail biter, it was inevitable that the Nationals bullpen would have to find a way to come up with important outs and escape a major jam to finish the game against the first-place team in the National League East. Now sprinkle in a tired bullpen with five relievers having pitched the day before in a 7-4 win over the Phillies. The card-carrying member of the resilient warriors not named Sean Doolittle in this bullpen right now is right-hander Wander Suero, who came up the...