nationals

Martinez reveals rotation order, Rizzo says Cole will make club

March 19, 2018, 8:09am

JUPITER, Fla. - Max Scherzer will start opening day for the Nationals. That news, though made official by manager Davey Martinez this morning, was never in doubt. Asked when he made the decision, Martinez replied: "The day I got the job." Perhaps more interesting than the fact Scherzer will be on the mound March 29 in Cincinnati against veteran right-hander Homer Bailey is how the rest of the Nationals rotation will be configured behind him. Martinez revealed that this morning, as well....

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter

March 19, 2018, 6:07am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. - Max Scherzer gets two more opportunities to tune up before opening day - and, yes, he will start opening day for the Nationals in Cincinnati, Davey Martinez confirmed this morning - and so that process begins today against the Marlins. Scherzer already threw five innings and 75 pitches in his last outing, so look for him to perhaps extend that even farther today. Adam Eaton and Michael A. Taylor, meanwhile, are both back in the lineup, two days after making their return from...

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With one week to go, what's left for Nats to decide?

March 18, 2018, 5:24pm

Nationals

With one week to go, what's left for Nats to decide?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We are down, if you can believe this, to the final seven days of spring training. Yep, one week from now the Nationals will be home in Washington, getting settled into their digs for the season and preparing to face the Twins in one last exhibition game on South Capitol Street before heading out to Cincinnati for opening day. Which means it's crunch time down here in Florida. All those decisions that have been looming for five weeks? It's about time to make them. All...

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Cole trying to make late case to remain No. 5 starter

March 18, 2018, 12:32pm

Nationals

Cole trying to make late case to remain No. 5 starter

JUPITER, Fla. - Common sense says A.J. Cole's shot at making the Nationals rotation took a major hit Friday when the club signed veteran Jeremy Hellickson to a minor league contract. Hellickson's deal may not officially include a guaranteed spot on the big league roster, but it's tough to see the Nats (or the 30-year-old right-hander) striking this arrangement without an implicit understanding. Cole, of course, can't allow himself to think that way. Until someone tells him otherwise, his...

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Zimmerman will play in MLB games "real soon" (Nats fall 10-0)

March 18, 2018, 8:17am

Nationals

Zimmerman will play in MLB games "real soon" (Nats fall 10-0)

JUPITER, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman's spring in hiding continues, but probably not much longer. The Nationals first baseman, who has been playing almost exclusively on minor league fields and not in big league games, will make his much-anticipated return to Grapefruit League action this week. Though Davey Martinez didn't give an exact plan that's to occur, the manager did acknowledge it's on the horizon. "Yeah, we'll get him in," Martinez said. "There's no real time frame for now, but he's...

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Taylor's body holds up in return, Roark struggles in start

March 17, 2018, 6:54pm

Nationals

Taylor's body holds up in return, Roark struggles in start

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - While attention was focused Saturday on Adam Eaton - and rightfully so, given the major injury he was returning from - Michael A. Taylor also was playing in his first big league game in a while and actually tested his body more than his fellow outfielder did. Taylor, who had been out since March 4 with tightness in his right side, returned to the Nationals lineup and played six innings in center field while taking three at-bats. He singled, stole second with a headfirst...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in Jupiter

March 18, 2018, 6:20am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. - With this week's surprise signing of Jeremy Hellickson, A.J. Cole suddenly finds himself in an uncertain position. The frontrunner for the No. 5 starter's job through the first month of camp, what exactly is his status now? Is he still competing for the job? Is he destined for a spot in the bullpen? Is he in danger of being designated for assignment? The Nationals aren't saying anything for now, other than telling Cole to keep taking the mound and competing. Which he'll do...

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An emotional blur of a day for Adam Eaton

March 17, 2018, 1:35pm

Nationals

An emotional blur of a day for Adam Eaton

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - There were smiles and knowing glances all morning from teammates and other well-wishers. There was an expanded, 90-minute warmup session. Then four adventurous innings in left field that included a couple of tough plays complicated by the wind. And, of course, two at-bats against major league pitchers, the second of which ended with a celebratory trip around the bases and an acknowledgement of the 10 family members watching (and, in some cases, crying) from the...

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Insider's view on progress of Bryan Harper and Drew Ward

March 17, 2018, 7:23am

Nationals

Insider's view on progress of Bryan Harper and Drew Ward

Nationals minor league roving coordinator and former Triple-A Syracuse manager Billy Gardner Jr., was a third baseman in the majors himself, so he has a unique perspective when working with third base prospect Drew Ward. Gardner believes Ward has a chance to make it to the next level. Ward had a very good start to the 2016 campaign at high Single-A Potomac, hitting .278 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs. Last season, Ward played in 121 games at Double-A Harrisburg, hitting .235 with 10 homers and 53...

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Hellickson reports to camp, joins "perfect situation" with Nats

March 17, 2018, 8:45am

Nationals

Hellickson reports to camp, joins "perfect situation" with Nats

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Jeremy Hellickson was in Southern California on Friday afternoon, expecting to throw four innings of a simulated game against fellow unemployed Scott Boras clients who have gathered to work out together, when he got the call. The Nationals were offering him a minor league contract, and though that carried no official assurance of a spot on the big league roster, the opportunity was too good to pass up. "They were actually the first team that called," Hellickson said....

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As Roark labors, Eaton homers in spring debut (Nats lose 9-7)

March 17, 2018, 10:37am

Nationals

As Roark labors, Eaton homers in spring debut (Nats lose 9-7)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Adam Eaton's reconstructed knee has been getting put to the test today, though it couldn't have been bothering him too much as he rounded the bases following a dramatic home run. Tanner Roark, meanwhile, slogged through a ragged start that lasted only three innings, included some wild command and low radar gun readings. Put it all together, and it's already been an eventful game between the Nationals and Mets. Eaton got a nice ovation from the crowd (and even from the...

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Source: Nats signing veteran Hellickson to minor league deal

March 16, 2018, 1:55pm

Nationals

Source: Nats signing veteran Hellickson to minor league deal

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - After spending the last month watching their in-house candidates pitch in person and prominent free agents agree to deals elsewhere, the Nationals appear to have found a surprise new choice to be their No. 5 starter. The club has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with Jeremy Hellickson, according to a source familiar with the deal, making the 30-year-old right-hander the sudden odds-on favorite to fill the final spot in the Nationals rotation. Hellickson's deal...

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Does Hellickson signing address Nationals' rotation need?

March 16, 2018, 6:56pm

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - For months, we wondered how motivated the Nationals were to try to upgrade their rotation, whether they'd go all-in on Jake Arrieta, get involved in the trade market for Gerrit Cole or ultimately decide simply to stick with what they had and then re-examine the situation later this summer. What seemed clear from the get-go, though, was that any addition made by general manager Mike Rizzo would be for a top-tier starter, someone who could slot in behind Max Scherzer and...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach

March 17, 2018, 5:36am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's been an awfully quiet spring around here, but that's starting to change. Jeremy Hellickson was in the clubhouse this morning trying on his No. 58 jersey (though the signing won't become official until tomorrow). And the Nationals lineup for today's game against the Mets has a whole lot of interesting things going on. We'll begin with the most important development: Adam Eaton is making his Grapefruit League debut at last, nearly 11 months after tearing the ACL...

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Gonzalez proves he's fine, Fedde proves he's back

March 16, 2018, 12:53pm

Nationals

Gonzalez proves he's fine, Fedde proves he's back

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - From his perch in the Nationals dugout, Davey Martinez saw Gio Gonzalez start moving his body around in a manner that suggested something didn't feel right. And when the left-hander grabbed his side, Martinez had only one thought. "No, no, no," the first-year Nationals manager said. "Now's not the time." So Martinez told director of athletic training Paul Lessard the two of them needed to go check on Gonzalez. Lessard, who has been with the club for three seasons,...

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Eaton plans to make long-awaited return Saturday

March 16, 2018, 8:35am

Nationals

Eaton plans to make long-awaited return Saturday

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Adam Eaton's long-awaited day has finally arrived. Nearly 11 months after tearing the ACL in his left knee, the Nationals outfielder will be in the lineup Saturday playing in a major league spring training game for the first time. "It's time to go," he said, "and we're going to go." Eaton is penciled in to bat third and start in left field when the Nationals face the Mets. He'll get two at-bats and play multiple innings in the field, with no restrictions beyond...

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Despite brief scare, Gonzalez solid vs. St. Louis (Nats win 4-2)

March 16, 2018, 10:42am

Nationals

Despite brief scare, Gonzalez solid vs. St. Louis (Nats win 4-2)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Despite giving everyone in the park a brief scare that prompted a mound visit from a trainer, Gio Gonzalez made it through today's outing in one piece and pitched quite well against a Cardinals lineup featuring several regulars. Gonzalez allowed one run in five innings, that coming on Jedd Gyorko's leadoff homer to left in the top of the fourth. The moment of panic, though, came during his final inning. After throwing a pitch to Dexter Fowler, Gonzalez appeared to land...

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Setting the guest blogger rotation for 2018

March 16, 2018, 9:57am

Nationals

Setting the guest blogger rotation for 2018

Since 2011, MASNsports.com has welcomed guest bloggers to our pages, giving folks with strong opinions about the Nationals a chance to share their viewpoints with a larger audience. We'll do the same in 2018, though we're adding a couple of newcomers to our rotation. We'll begin on Friday, March 30 - which is currently scheduled as an off-day after the Nats' season opener in Cincinnati - with the introduction of Ryan Sullivan, who hosts The Nats GM podcast and associated website. He'll be...

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Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in West Palm Beach

March 16, 2018, 6:40am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's a beautiful day here, not just for a ballgame but also for some golf. So, naturally, Davey Martinez had his entire team engage in a closest-to-the-pin competition this morning. Everyone had to hit a blind, 100-yard shot off the agility field, over the bullpen and into a circled-off area on Field 2. There were several bullseyes (denoted by three quick air horn blasts) and several more near-bullseyes (denoted by one or two air horn blasts). In the end, the team...

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Is Fedde forcing his way into the No. 5 starter's job?

March 15, 2018, 7:14pm

Nationals

Is Fedde forcing his way into the No. 5 starter's job?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals had been saying all along they were content to enter the season picking a No. 5 starter from the pool of less-than-ideal candidates already in-house, but all along there loomed the specter of a major spring training addition. Now, though, with only 13 days to go until the season opener, and with Jake Arrieta a Phillie, Lance Lynn a Twin and Alex Cobb still unsigned but apparently not on their radar, the Nats have all but confirmed they will indeed go into...