Ramos nearly fully healthy, gunning for starting job
Ramos nearly fully healthy, gunning for starting job
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - Nine months after suffering a gruesome injury to his right knee that required two major surgeries, Wilson Ramos is back at Nationals camp feeling almost completely healthy. Ramos tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee in a May 12 game against the Reds last season, ending his season and leading to months and months of grueling rehab. You wouldn't know that Ramos sustained the injury by watching him these days, however. Now wearing jersey No. 40, the burly catcher walks...
Nats giving Gonzalez his space (plus clubhouse notes)
Nats giving Gonzalez his space (plus clubhouse notes)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - I've got a couple more locker-positioning notes for you. Bryce Harper, who last spring was given a wide locker normally reserved for veterans only to see Jayson Werth take over half of it with his own stuff, has a big locker again this year. I'm guessing Werth won't be pushing his weight around this spring when it comes to Harper's locker, however. I'd say the kid earned a wide locker all to himself with his National League Rookie of the Year effort last season. The Nats'...
Zimmermann talks contract negotiations, Purke talks about his health
Zimmermann talks contract negotiations, Purke talks about his health
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - Greetings from the so-called "Panera Bureau" here in Viera, a popular spot for beat writers looking to grab a bite while working. If you're in town in the next couple weeks and swing by the local Panera around lunch time, you're bound to see a couple of us pounding away on our laptops. If I make fewer than 15 appearances in here during my time in Viera, I'll be shocked. Jordan Zimmermann has been in town for a handful of days now, even though he technically doesn't have...
Strasburg "100 percent over" last season, eager to enter 2013 without limits
Strasburg "100 percent over" last season, eager to enter 2013 without limits
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - The vast majority of pitchers are already in camp at this point, and with the exception of non-roster invitee Chris Snyder, every catcher is already here ahead of tomorrow's report date for pitchers and catchers. Gio Gonzalez is set to arrive tomorrow, and will speak with reporters about his link to the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis, which is being investigated into its reported dealing of performance-enhancing drugs. Gonzalez's locker is right next to Stephen Strasburg, his...
Nats sign Will Ohman to minor league deal, plus early notes
Nats sign Will Ohman to minor league deal, plus early notes
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - A whole host of Nationals players and staffers are at Space Coast Stadium today, getting in some throwing, taking some light batting practice and getting settled in for spring training. Among the players here already are Jordan Zimmermann, Craig Stammen, Ross Detwiler, Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, Stephen Strasburg, Nathan Karns, Wilson Ramos, Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, Jhonatan Solano, Sandy Leon, Roger Bernadina and Zach Duke. Davey Johnson is in the house, as well, after...
MASN partnering with WUSA 9 to simulcast 20 games in 2013
MASN partnering with WUSA 9 to simulcast 20 games in 2013
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - Coming off a 98-win season and the first National League East title in team history, anticipation and excitement for Nationals baseball has never been higher. And now, all Nats fans living in the Washington, D.C., area, even those without MASN, will be able to catch the action. MASN and WUSA 9 are partnering to simulcast 20 MASN-produced Nationals games on WUSA 9 TV in D.C., during the upcoming 2013 season. The slate of games on Channel 9 will begin with the Nats' April 1...
Meyers' deception could be key change of pace
Meyers' deception could be key change of pace
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals got Brad Meyers back from the Yankees, who took him in the Rule 5 draft and then returned him. Meyers pitched only one game last year after an early-season workout injury shelved his season. Now he is good to go and is excited to be back with the Nationals' organization. Triple-A Syracuse manager Tony Beasley had Meyers at Double-A Harrisburg a couple of years ago for a while before Meyers was called up to the Chiefs. Beasley said Meyers doesn't have the classic,...
Springing ahead to Sarasota
Springing ahead to Sarasota
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
And so it begins. I'm heading to the airport for my flight to Tampa and the hour-long drive into Sarasota. The Ed Smith Stadium complex is closed to the media today, which I discovered after booking an 8:20 a.m. flight. Upon further review, I probably could have stayed in bed a little longer. Pitchers and catchers report Tuesday, with their first workout the following day. Position players are due Friday. I've been asked many times, by fans and hosts of various radio/television shows, for...
Brian Graham: "We have one of the best minor league systems in baseball"
Brian Graham: "We have one of the best minor league systems in baseball"
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Today in this space, I conclude my two-part interview with Brian Graham. On Jan. 25, the Orioles promoted Graham from coordinator of minor league instruction to director of player development. Graham is now the man in charge of the Orioles' minor leagues. In his sixth season with the club, Graham joins a newcomer to the organization, Kent Qualls, who has been named director of minor league operations, as the top brass heading up the minors. He brings a long resume to this position. He spent...
Setting up shop
Setting up shop
Dan Kolko
Nationals
MELBOURNE, Fla. - After a little bit of a bumpy flight and a 55 minute wait in line to get my rental car, I'm all set up in my hotel room and ready for spring training to get going. I've traded in my winter coat for a pair of sunglasses, and my freezing cold hands for a sweaty back. Too much information? Yeah, I figured as much. Sorry about that. I made a point to swing by the Nationals' spring facilities at Space Coast Stadium in Viera before getting settled at my hotel, but the place...