Voth to start in Detroit, Zimmerman likely to be there (Nats up 6-1)

Voth to start in Detroit, Zimmerman likely to be there (Nats up 6-1)
MIAMI - Austin Voth will get a chance to make another start this weekend in Detroit. And Ryan Zimmerman is on track to be there, on the Nationals' active roster for the first time in two months. Manager Davey Martinez confirmed what became clear Monday after the Nationals optioned Erick Fedde to Triple-A Fresno: Voth will remain in the big league rotation after his impressive season debut Sunday against the Braves. The rookie right-hander is lined up to start Saturday at Comerica Park in the...

Nats asking Venters, Rodney to help stabilize improving 'pen

Nats asking Venters, Rodney to help stabilize improving 'pen
MIAMI - Jonny Venters has been called up to join major league rosters under more noteworthy circumstances than this, from his major league debut with the Braves in 2010 to his return in 2018 following a six-year layoff. That doesn't mean the 34-year-old reliever didn't still get that familiar feeling of accomplishment when he got the call Monday to join the Nationals in Miami. "I couldn't have been more excited, especially with the way this team's been playing lately," he said. "And...

Source: Veteran Venters also joining Nats bullpen tonight

Source: Veteran Venters also joining Nats bullpen tonight
MIAMI - The Nationals are going to give another veteran reliever with shaky numbers so far this season a chance to help their bullpen during this final stretch before the All-Star break. Jonny Venters, the longtime Braves left-hander who has overcome what he describes as "3 1/2" Tommy John surgeries, will be promoted from Double-A Harrisburg before tonight's series opener against the Marlins, a source familiar with the transaction confirmed. Venters, 34, joins right-hander Fernando Rodney,...

Game 78 lineups: Nats at Marlins (roster moves announced)

Game 78 lineups: Nats at Marlins (roster moves announced)
MIAMI - There isn't nearly the kind of buzz surrounding the Nationals' upcoming week as there was for the last one, but that doesn't mean this isn't an important road trip for the team. It also doesn't mean it's going to be an easy one. Though the Marlins own the National League's worst record, they're playing a whole lot better right now than they were to begin the season. After opening up a dreadful 10-31, they've gone 20-15 since May 17, and they'll ride a four-game winning streak...

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

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

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

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

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

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...

The secret intricacies of the Nats' outfield defense

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...

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

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

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

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...

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

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...

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

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 ½ 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...

Conceding $8 million mistake, Nationals release Rosenthal

Conceding $8 million mistake, Nationals release Rosenthal
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...

Updates on Robles, Ross, Rosenthal and Voth

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 Aníbal Sánchez 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," Sánchez said. "It...

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

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...

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

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

Nationals recall Kyle McGowin

Nationals recall Kyle McGowin
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...

Nationals recall Austin Voth

Nationals recall Austin Voth
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...

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

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...

Game 76 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

Game 76 lineups: Nats vs. Braves
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...