nationals

Ryan Sullivan: Garcia offers a glimpse at Nationals' future

July 13, 2018, 5:46am

One of the many terrific events that occur during All-Star Game week is the Futures Game, an annual exhibition consisting of the top prospects in baseball. The Futures Game began in 1999 and the rosters consist of a team of prospects from the United States against a team of players from other countries. Major League Baseball, MLB.com and Baseball America decide the teams and the Nationals will be represented by infielders Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia on Sunday. I wrote about Kieboom a few...

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Zimmerman refutes that calf injury slowed return (Nats win 5-4)

July 12, 2018, 2:51pm

Nationals

Zimmerman refutes that calf injury slowed return (Nats win 5-4)

NEW YORK - Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman sat down during pregame and refuted claims that his calf has been the biggest reason why he has been slow in his recovery from his right oblique strain that has kept him on the disabled list since May 10. "I don't know, I don't have social media, so I'm not up into this stuff, but do I have soreness sometimes? Yes, of course. Am I injured? Absolutely not," he said. "Same thing with spring training. Was I injured? Absolutely not. Was I...

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Martinez on urgency, Strasburg, Zimmerman and more

July 12, 2018, 2:27pm

Nationals

Martinez on urgency, Strasburg, Zimmerman and more

NEW YORK - A day after the Nationals lost a series in Pittsburgh in a 2-0 shutout at the hands of the Pirates, Nationals manager Davey Martinez spoke about the state of his club, which is back at the .500 mark at 46-46, and what this final series before the All-Star break against the Mets means. "I want them to come out today with a sense of urgency," Martinez said of Thursday's game at Citi Field, the first in a four-game series. "Treat these games - we're going into the All-Star break -...

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Opposite dugout: Mets host struggling Nationals ahead of All-Star break

July 11, 2018, 5:12am

Nationals

Manager: Mickey Callaway (1st season) Record: 37-53 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B AsdrÃºbal Cabrera (.280 with 16 HR, 51 RBIs), CF Brandon Nimmo (13 HR), LHP Steven Matz (3.31 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (16 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-2 Pitching probables: July 12: RHP Max Scherzer (11-5) vs. LHP Steven Matz (4-6), 7:10 p.m., MASNJuly 13: RHP Tanner Roark (3-11) vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard (4-1), 7:10 p.m., MASNJuly 14: TBA vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (2-6), 4:10., MASNJuly 15: RHP...

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What's really to blame for Nats' offensive struggles?

July 11, 2018, 8:48pm

Nationals

What's really to blame for Nats' offensive struggles?

PITTSBURGH - What's the biggest reason the Nationals are having so much trouble consistently scoring runs this season? The easy answer, as Davey Martinez has said on more than one occasion, to blame the club's struggles with runners in scoring position. "It's more collectively," the manager said after Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Pirates. "Individually, the guys hit the ball here and there. But it's more like our situational hitting. Runners on second base. Sometimes you've just got to...

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Kieboom's communication with starters one key to his success

July 12, 2018, 5:06am

Nationals

Kieboom's communication with starters one key to his success

On July 6, Nationals catcher Spencer Kieboom sensed starter Gio Gonzalez was a bit frustrated at not being able to go past five innings. Gonzalez tied a season high by throwing 114 pitches, forcing him from the game despite only allowing two runs. Gonzalez backed up that start July 6 with a quality start yesterday in the 2-0 loss at Pittsburgh. With Matt Wieters as his catcher, Gonzalez went six innings and again allowed only two runs. Back-to-back starts with two runs or less is a good sign...

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Bullpen needs will drive contenders' moves as trade deadline approaches

July 12, 2018, 9:55am

Nationals Orioles

Bullpen needs will drive contenders' moves as trade deadline approaches

The Nationals struck early and acquired Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera. Seattle traded for Rays reliever Alex Colome, adding to an already-strong bullpen. Those acquisitions are likely just the beginning for contenders strengthening their bullpens, a necessary task for teams planning to be around in October. In the last few years, big-name players who have been traded - Andrew Miller, Aroldys Chapman and Justin Verlander - have altered the postseason landscape. This year, the Orioles' Zach...

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Special jersey has special meaning for Senators' Logan Darnell

July 12, 2018, 11:27am

Nationals

Special jersey has special meaning for Senators' Logan Darnell

When Double-A Harrisburg lefty Logan Darnell pulls on his home jersey for the Senators' game against Bowie on July 26 at FNB Field, it'll mean a little more than usual. That's the night the Senators will don special jerseys on End Alzheimer's Night. Darnell lost his mother, Caye, 59, to Alzheimer's disease on April 13, and has been working with team management to come up with creative ways to mix his mound work and the need to raise funds and awareness. The jerseys from End Alzheimer's...

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Nats shut out for eighth time in 29 games, fall back to .500 (updated)

July 11, 2018, 11:12am

Nationals

Nats shut out for eighth time in 29 games, fall back to .500 (updated)

PITTSBURGH - Today's game - aired exclusively on Facebook as part of Major League Baseball's new arrangement with the social media giant - was viewed by only a fraction of the fans who usually watch Nationals games on traditional television. Those who didn't tune in via their laptops or smartphones, though, didn't really need to see firsthand what happened. They'd already seen this game countless times this season. The Nationals got a quality start, this time from Gio Gonzalez. They put...

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Strasburg lined up to return for second half opener (Nats lose 2-0)

July 11, 2018, 7:53am

Nationals

Strasburg lined up to return for second half opener (Nats lose 2-0)

PITTSBURGH - Stephen Strasburg is on track to take the mound for the Nationals in their first game coming out of the All-Star break. Strasburg, out since June 8 with right shoulder inflammation, made his first rehab start Tuesday night for Single-A Potomac, allowing one run on two hits in 3 1/3 innings during a 7-4 win at Lynchburg. He struck out five, walked only one and threw 34 of his 57 pitches for strikes. "And I like the fact that he (velocity) was pretty good," manager Davey Martinez...

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Game 92 lineups: Nats at Pirates

July 11, 2018, 6:07am

Nationals

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals and Pirates wrap up their series this afternoon at PNC Park. The Nats are looking to win two in a row and capture their second straight series. Gio Gonzalez is looking to get himself back on track. Bryce Harper is looking to make solid contact after going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts and a groundout Tuesday night. And Daniel Murphy is looking to stay hot after going 4-for-4 in Tuesday's win. And hopefully as many of you as possible will be able to watch the game. But...

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Murphy finally finding swing, hitting .349 over last 13 games

July 10, 2018, 8:32pm

Nationals

Murphy finally finding swing, hitting .349 over last 13 games

PITTSBURGH - As much as he wanted to project an air of confidence throughout his first month back in action following major knee surgery, Daniel Murphy knew he couldn't convince people not to believe what they were seeing with their own eyes. Murphy simply didn't look like himself after finally making his 2018 debut for the Nationals, eight months after having microfracture surgery on his right knee. The quality of his at-bats just weren't close to the standard he established for himself...

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Liz Barr: Another All-Star Game, another snub for Anthony Rendon

July 11, 2018, 7:51am

Nationals

Liz Barr: Another All-Star Game, another snub for Anthony Rendon

There were a number of deserving players left off the All-Star Game rosters, and perhaps none more than Anthony Rendon, who was not even given the Final Vote treatment that teammate Trea Turner received. It feels like we say this about Rendon every year around the All-Star break, but he always plays fantastic baseball and nobody ever gives him the time of day or recognizes his accomplishments on the diamond. It's no stretch to say that Rendon is worthy of a nod. Maybe not the most overwhelming...

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Hellickson back to form, Nats back over .500 after 5-1 win (updated)

July 10, 2018, 7:16pm

Nationals

Hellickson back to form, Nats back over .500 after 5-1 win (updated)

PITTSBURGH - It was the formula that worked so well in April and May - five dominant innings from Jeremy Hellickson, then four innings from the bullpen - but had been long forgotten as Hellickson spent June recovering from a hamstring injury and then made his first start of July while under the weather. Hellickson, though, is healthy again. And tonight he pitched like the early-season version of himself again. And because his teammates were able to score runs in bunches for a stretch during...

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Strasburg solid for 3 1/3 innings in first rehab start

July 10, 2018, 5:37pm

Nationals

Strasburg solid for 3 1/3 innings in first rehab start

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg accomplished exactly what he set out to do in his first rehab game returning from right shoulder inflammation that has kept him on the disabled list since June 9. Strasburg pitched 3 1/3 innings for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals in their comeback 7-4 win at the Lynchburg Hillcats Tuesday night. He allowed one run on two hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 57 pitches, 34 for strikes. That was right in the window the Nationals were wanting...

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Voth will finally get to make MLB debut this time (Nats win 5-1)

July 10, 2018, 4:57pm

Nationals

Voth will finally get to make MLB debut this time (Nats win 5-1)

PITTSBURGH - Austin Voth was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse today for the fourth time this season. The right-hander has yet to actually make his major league debut, but it appears safe to say it'll finally happen this time around. Called up to swap roster spots with Jefry Rodriguez, who labored during Monday night's 6-3 loss to the Pirates, Voth is tentatively slated to start Saturday against the Mets (the next time Rodriguez's spot in the rotation comes up). However, it's possible the...

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Game 91 lineups: Nats at Pirates (Doolittle to DL)

July 10, 2018, 11:31am

Nationals

Game 91 lineups: Nats at Pirates (Doolittle to DL)

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals need innings tonight from their starter. Which means Jeremy Hellickson may have to be pushed beyond the point they've preferred to push him so far this season. The right-hander has pitched six innings only once in 11 starts this season. He has topped the 90-pitch mark only three times. None of that may matter given the state of the Nats bullpen, which has been forced to throw a total of 27 innings over the last six days. That group does have two fresh arms added to...

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Doolittle to miss at least 10 days, All-Star Game with foot injury

July 10, 2018, 2:21pm

Nationals

Doolittle to miss at least 10 days, All-Star Game with foot injury

PITTSBURGH - Sean Doolittle knew something wasn't right in his left foot as far back as Friday, but he didn't think it was anything to be concerned about, that all would be fine if he took a couple days off. But by the time Monday arrived and Doolittle decided to see how the foot felt when he threw off a bullpen mound and simulated fielding bunts, he realized this problem was more serious than he initially thought. And so today the Nationals were forced to place their All-Star closer on the...

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Wieters goes 1-for-4, catches full game in return from DL

July 09, 2018, 7:41pm

Nationals

Wieters goes 1-for-4, catches full game in return from DL

PITTSBURGH - Matt Wieters' return from the disabled list was rather uneventful. The veteran catcher went 1-for-4 at the plate, caught all eight defensive innings and allowed two Pittsburgh runners to steal second base. Of greater importance to Wieters was that his surgically repaired hamstring held up and allowed him to play a full big league game for the first time in nearly two months. "Obviously, would've liked to get a win, but it was fun to be out there with the guys again," he said....

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Nats can't make up for another bad start, lose to Pirates (updated)

July 09, 2018, 5:56pm

Nationals

Nats can't make up for another bad start, lose to Pirates (updated)

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals have any number of issues right now, from a super-erratic lineup equally capable of being shut out or scoring 17 runs on any given night, to a steady stream of mistakes made on the bases and in the field. None of those issues, however, can or should take priority at the moment over the most glaring problem facing this club: a starting rotation that shockingly has morphed from the roster's biggest strength to its biggest weakness. Aside from Max Scherzer, the...