nationals

Kintzler's presence gives Martinez options in back end of bullpen

March 11, 2018, 7:48am

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Law Firm is back for another season, but don't get too enamored of Brandon Kintzler pitching the seventh inning, followed by Ryan Madson in the eighth and closer Sean Doolittle in the ninth. The names will remain the same, but don't print up the business cards or signage for the office suite. The order might just change as the Nationals' needs do on a game-by-game basis. New manager Davey Martinez acknowledges that having three reliable relievers at the back end...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton brandon kintzler davey martinez nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Cardinals vs. Nationals in West Palm Beach

March 10, 2018, 4:06pm

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - How does new Nationals manager Davey Martinez combat the arrival of daylight saving time? How about letting the Nationals sleep in? Martinez pushed back the clubhouse opening time for today to 9 a.m., an hour later than usual. Coincidentally, the Nationals - and pretty much everyone else reading this - lost an hour of sleep last night as clocks sprung forward at 2 a.m. I don't know about you, but an extra hour of sleep, replacing the one lost overnight, sounds pretty...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez frontstory_nationals1 lineups nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training st. louis cardinals tanner roark

Versatility has become Reynolds' calling card

March 10, 2018, 12:52pm

Nationals

Versatility has become Reynolds' calling card

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - When the call came, when the Mets told him they were designating him for assignment in early February to open up a 40-man roster spot after signing free agent third baseman Todd Frazier, Matt Reynolds didn't know exactly what to think. Being designated for assignment is baseball's uncomfortable limbo, where a team has 10 days to trade, waive or outright a player to the minor leagues. In most cases, a player is on the move - he just doesn't know exactly where. It's...

Comments

Tags:

matt reynolds nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Strong effort vs. Astros may earn Fedde a longer look

March 10, 2018, 12:11pm

Nationals

Strong effort vs. Astros may earn Fedde a longer look

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Erick Fedde may have earned himself a longer look from the new Nationals coaching staff. The right-hander held his own against an Astros lineup top-heavy with regulars, throwing three innings of two-hit, one-run ball in a 2-2 nine-inning tie on Saturday. "I find it to be exciting, a fun test," said Fedde, who walked two and struck out three. "It's still spring training - guys might not be where they are in season and they're getting their work in. Either way, it's...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez erick fedde nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Astros grab 1-0 lead on Fedde, Nationals (Nats, Astros tie 2-2)

March 10, 2018, 9:24am

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals could get nothing going offensively against Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel, who didn't look anything like a pitcher who brought a 10.80 ERA into today's Grapefruit League game. What's that old baseball adage about spring and September statistics being fool's gold? Bryce Harper, the last hitter Keuchel faced, roped a single to right field - the only hit allowed by the southpaw in his 3 2/3 innings. Keuchel didn't walk a batter and struck out...

Comments

Tags:

erick fedde nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Murphy calls first cuts on field "a really positive sign"

March 10, 2018, 7:38am

Nationals

Murphy calls first cuts on field "a really positive sign"

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Daniel Murphy passed another hurdle in his recovery from debridement and microfracture surgery on his right knee on Saturday morning, hitting on a field for the first time in spring training. Batting in a foursome that included Adam Eaton, Bryce Harper and Matt Wieters, Murphy and his mates hit for about 25 minutes off bullpen catcher Nilson Robledo on Field 2 at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. "It felt good.," Murphy said. "It's nice the see ball flight...

Comments

Tags:

adrian sanchez daniel murphy davey martinez howie kendrick mark lerner micahel a. taylor nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

March 08, 2018, 4:50pm

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Don't look now, but the Nationals are running a lot this spring. OK, last year's team with speedster Trea Turner atop the lineup swiped 108 bases, third-most in the National League. But Turner had 46 of those, and only two other players - Michael A. Taylor (17) and Wilmer Difo (10) - were in double figures. This spring, however, the Nats have already recorded 12 thefts, tied for 14th in the majors (they were knotted for eighth before yesterday's off-day). Why is this...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton brian goodwin bryce harper frontstory_nationals1 howie kendrick michael taylor nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training trea turner victor robles wilmer difo lineups

Checking in on the camp competitions

March 09, 2018, 7:11am

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We're roughly halfway through the Grapefruit League schedule, which makes it a good time to revisit some of the few competitions in Nationals camp this spring. Keep in mind that with a veteran-laden roster built to three-peat in the National League East, there weren't a lot of open roster spots heading into spring training. But good camps are built on competition and there are still a few 25-man roster jobs up for grabs before the March 29 opener in Cincinnati. One of...

Comments

Tags:

a.j. cole brian goodwin davey martinez enny romero erick fedde matt grace miguel montero nationals nationals pastime pedro severino pete kerzel sammy solis spring training tim collins victor robles featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals option Gutierrez, Rodriguez to Double-A

March 09, 2018, 6:22am

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals made a pair of moves this morning, adding a little roster housekeeping to one of their two scheduled off-days this spring. Infielder Kelvin Gutierrez and right-hander Jefry Rodriguez were optioned to Double-A Harrisburg. Both players were added to the 40-man roster on the same day last fall, Nov. 20, to protect them from the Rule 5 draft, and both were farmed out of major league camp on the same morning. Gutierrez, 23, went 6-for-26 (.231) with a double and...

Comments

Tags:

jefry rodriguez kelvin gutierrez nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Despite numbers crunch, SolÃs believes he belongs in Nats bullpen

March 08, 2018, 8:20am

Nationals

Despite numbers crunch, SolÃs believes he belongs in Nats bullpen

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Sammy SolÃs understands why people discount him when configuring their versions of the bullpen the Nationals will take north for their March 29 season opener in Cincinnati. After the way the left-hander pitched last season - taking steps back in games pitched, innings, ERA and WHIP as he battled injury and inconsistency from the get-go - SolÃs knows he has to both prove himself and earn the trust of new manager Davey Martinez. "Last season was ups and downs, a lot...

Comments

Tags:

nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel sammy solis spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Seeking his rhythm, Strasburg sees fine-tuning producing results

March 08, 2018, 12:34pm

Nationals

Seeking his rhythm, Strasburg sees fine-tuning producing results

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg wants to embrace the notion of using spring training to get his arm in shape and try some new things in games that really don't matter a lick. He really does. He comes to camp in that mode, but when you're a veteran who relies heavily on a comfort zone provided by pattern and routine, even the smallest deviations can seem like huge changes. "I would say I don't give myself too long a leash," Strasburg said this afternoon after working 3 1/3 innings...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez miguel montero nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training stephen strasburg wander suero featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Voth among first wave of Nats cuts (Nationals win 8-5)

March 08, 2018, 8:24am

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have made their first cuts of spring training, optioning right-hander Austin Voth to Triple-A Syracuse and reassigning seven players to their minor league camp. Voth, who went 4-12 with a 5.94 ERA at three minor league stops last season, appeared in three Grapefruit League games, and posted a 6.00 ERA in three innings of relief work. He allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Right-handers Jimmy Cordero, Brady Dragmire, David Goforth, RomÃ¡n...

Comments

Tags:

austin voth brady dragmire cesar vegas david goforth jimmy cordero nationals natonals pastime osvaldo abreu pete kerzel roman mendez spring training taylor gushue frontstory_nationals3

Clubhouse visitors, monitoring workloads and injury updates

March 08, 2018, 7:20am

Nationals

Clubhouse visitors, monitoring workloads and injury updates

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - There were plenty of visitors to Nationals camp today. Former Expos first baseman Andres Galarraga dropped by at the invitation of manager Davey Martinez. Galarraga, who had a 19-year career in the big leagues and twice beat Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lives in the city the Nats now call their spring home. Martinez hopes he can get Galarraga back for another visit later in camp, maybe even in uniform as an instructor. The two were teammates on the Expos from 1988-91. This...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton andres galarraga davey martinez michael a. taylor mlbpa nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel ryan zimmerman spring training stephen strasburg tony clark featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

For versatile Difo, helping Nats is his top priority

March 07, 2018, 1:35pm

Nationals

For versatile Difo, helping Nats is his top priority

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As far as Wilmer Difo is concerned, the more work, the better. If microfracture surgery delays the start to Daniel Murphy's season, Difo is happy to play second base for the Nationals as long as he's needed. If shortstop Trea Turner or third baseman Anthony Rendon need a day off, Difo's ready to fill in. He'll grab a bat and pinch-hit or use his legs to make a difference as a pinch-runner. "I'm a player that likes to work hard, and the more work I get, the better I...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez nationals nationals pastime octavio martinez pete kerzel spring training wilmer difo featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Mets vs. Nats in West Palm Beach

March 07, 2018, 4:10pm

Nationals

Starting lineups: Mets vs. Nats in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg makes his second start of spring training this afternoon when the Nationals host the Mets. He'll face right-hander Noah Syndergaard. In his first start on March 3, Strasburg worked two innings against the Astros, allowing a run on three hits with two strikeouts. Manager Davey Martinez has been extending his starters in recent games and hopes to get Strasburg up up to 60-65 pitches today. There are few hitters this spring hotter than MoisÃ©s Sierra,...

Comments

Tags:

lineups moises sierra nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals1

Dan Kolko to host "Nats Insider" on 106.7 The Fan every Saturday morning throughout Nats season

March 07, 2018, 8:20am

Nationals

Dan Kolko to host "Nats Insider" on 106.7 The Fan every Saturday morning throughout Nats season

MASN's Nationals on-field reporter Dan Kolko is known by many names to our loyal fans and viewers. "MASN Dan," "DK" and "TV's Dan Kolko" are just a few examples. Starting this season, we have another nickname to add to the list: "Radio Dan." In addition to his MASN broadcast duties for this upcoming regular season, Kolko will also be hosting a weekly "Nats Insider" show on the Nationals flagship radio station 106.7 The Fan every Saturday from 8-9 a.m. The station released Kolko's...

Comments

Tags:

106.7 the fan bobby blanco dan kolko frontstory_nationals2 nationals nationals buzz nats insider

Cerebral Scherzer trying to stay a step ahead of hitters

March 07, 2018, 11:36am

Nationals

Cerebral Scherzer trying to stay a step ahead of hitters

JUPITER, Fla. - Max Scherzer often makes his craft look so effortless that it's easy to forget that he's part of a perpetual thinking man's exercise that requires a pitcher to constantly adjust and readjust both plan of attack and expectations. So, after winning back-to-back Cy Young Awards, here was the Nationals ace using an innocuous spring training start to try to integrate a few new wrinkles into his repertoire, just in case the hitters have caught up to him and think they've figured...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez max scherzer nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Robles plates a run, Scherzer strong through three (Nats lose 4-3)

March 07, 2018, 9:02am

Nationals

Robles plates a run, Scherzer strong through three (Nats lose 4-3)

JUPITER, Fla. - Through three innings at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, rookie Victor Robles continues to handle major league pitching and right-hander Max Scherzer is dealing in midseason form. Robles, who will likely start the season at Triple-A unless an injury opens an opportunity in the Nationals outfield, doubled off the base of the wall in left-center off Adam Wainwright in his first at-bat to score Trea Turner for a 1-0 lead. Turner slashed a leadoff single that third baseman Greg Garcia...

Comments

Tags:

max scherzer nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training featured_sidebar moises sierra brandon kintzler frontstory_nationals3

Zimmerman nearing game at-bats, Martinez says

March 07, 2018, 6:37am

Nationals

Zimmerman nearing game at-bats, Martinez says

JUPITER, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman got dressed and headed out to take batting practice this morning in West Palm Beach, still attired in long pants even though most of the rest of the Nationals had switched into shorts and t-shirts, the uniform of the day for their morning workout. Another day passed without Zimmerman in the lineup for a Grapefruit League game - he's played only once, doubling in one of his two at-bats on March 3, and his Grapefruit League average has been stuck on .500 for since...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez koda glover nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel ryan zimmerman tommy milone featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in Jupiter

March 06, 2018, 3:27pm

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. - Coming off three spotless innings with five strikeouts in his last start against the Mets in Port St. Lucie on March 2, what does Max Scherzer do for an encore? We'll find out this afternoon when the right-hander makes his third Grapefruit League start against the Cardinals. So far this spring, Scherzer is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA, and has allowed one hit - a home run by the Braves' Dansby Swanson on Feb. 25 - with no walks and eight strikeouts through five innings. The last two...