VIERA, Fla. - Nationals fans might be eager to see Bryce Harper mash home runs and rack up RBIs in spring training, but leading off the third inning in today's exhibition game against Georgetown, the Nats' top prospect decided he wanted to drop down a bunt. It might not be Harper's forte, and the Nats sure don't expect the power-hitting right fielder to make bunting a major part of his game, but, hey, this is the time to work on those kinds of things, I guess. "In the on-deck circle, I...

VIERA, Fla. - Matt Purke sprinted off the mound after freezing Justin Leeson with an inside pitch that went for a called third strike to end the second inning. The left-hander, a third-round pick of the Nationals in June's draft, thought his day was over. But he'd been so pitch-efficient that he wound up working the third inning and still didn't reach his 40-pitch limit. If Purke was nervous in his spring debut, it didn't show. A guy who should be a senior at TCU dominated college hitters...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Reynolds has made two sensational plays at third base today, charging one ball and making a diving stop to his left on a sharp grounder. Other highlights include Brian Matusz's second inning, when he retired Adam Jones on a soft liner to first base and Matt Wieters on a fly ball to right, and struck out Reynolds. Pedro Strop disposed of his three batters so quickly, he was allowed to face a fourth. He retired Wilson Betemit on a fly ball to center, Jones on a bouncer...

VIERA, Fla. - If you're an opposing infielder and Eury Perez hits the ball on the ground, good luck throwing out the speedy outfielder. Same goes for opposing catchers should Perez decide to try and swipe a bag. Perez, a 21-year-old who played last year at Single-A Potomac, doesn't have a hit yet today, but he's still found a way to make a major impact on this afternoon's game against Georgetown. The speedster has already scored two runs since entering the game in the bottom of the...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals, who are still up 2-0 on Georgetown in today's exhibition game in the top of the sixth, just announced that they've agreed to terms with 15 players for 2012 and renewed the contracts of closer Drew Storen and outfielder Roger Bernadina. That means all players on the club's 40-man roster are now under contract. Those signed are left-handers Ross Detwiler and Atahualpa Severino; right-handers Cole Kimball, Ryan Mattheus, Ryan Perry, Henry Rodriguez and Craig...

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs have officially announced their 2012 spring training 13-game schedule. All home games begin at 1 p.m. and will be played at the Nationals' Viera, Fla., training camp complex. Here is a rundown of the complete schedule: March 15 at Oklahoma City Kissimmee, Fla. March 16 vs. Oklahoma City Viera, Fla. March 18 vs. Toledo Viera, Fla. March 19 at Gwinnett Lake Buena Vista, Fla. March 20 vs. Gwinnett Viera, Fla. March 21 at Toledo ...

VIERA, Fla. - Sure, it was against collegiate opposition, but Matt Purke looked pretty darn good in his spring debut. Facing Georgetown University in the Nationals' first game of the spring, Purke - the Nats' third-round pick in June's draft - went three strong innings, allowing no runs and just one hit. Purke struck out three (including two looking) and did not walk a batter. He threw 32 pitches, 23 for strikes, and was pulled in favor of righty Rafael Martin to start the fourth...

VIERA, Fla. - Going to the bottom of the second here at Space Coast Stadium, and Bryce Harper is making a nice impression in his first game action of the spring. In the first inning, the right fielder was in the middle of a rally that provided the Nationals with a 1-0 lead against Georgetown righty Will Harris. With one out, Xavier Paul singled to right and went to second when right fielder Christian Venditti bobbled the ball. Harper drew a four-pitch walk and Tyler Moore reached on an error...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tommy Hunter is still scheduled to throw a simulated game on Tuesday after being scratched from his exhibition start against the Red Sox in Fort Myers. Hunter downplayed the discomfort in his lower back, saying, "I'm fine. It's more of a precautionary deal. I'm not concerned at all. I can still pitch." Hunter played long-toss this morning and seemed to be throwing with maximum effort. "I threw bullpens with it, but it just wasn't getting any better, so we're just...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Once restricted to stretching exercises and playing catch, Brian Roberts is now taking ground balls at second base and batting practice in the indoor batting cage. "It's definitely part of the progression," he said. "Every day that goes by and you don't feel worse, you're encouraged for sure." The next step is taking live batting practice on the field against one of the pitchers, instead of a coach. "At some point coming up, hopefully," he said. "I talk to my...