It seems that baseball is in love with big-time fastball velocity. Scouts talk about it, pitchers want to gain more of it, fans are impressed by it and reporters are plenty happy to keep track of it. It takes more than a good fastball to succeed on that mound - we all realize that - but it seems to be the first thing discussed when debating the talents of a pitcher, pro or amateur. How hard does he throw? Does his velocity hold up into the later innings? What speed does he top out at? Is he...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's workout begins at 10 a.m., which means clubhouse access for the media from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Players will stretch and play catch before separating for infield drills, with the regulars occupying the Camden Yards field. Up to this point, Robert Andino has been taking ground balls at second with the projected starters while Brian Roberts heads back indoors to swing off a tee and lift weights. J.J. Hardy will need to get comfortable with all of the second base...

VIERA, Fla. - He's 31, hasn't played regularly in the majors in 2006 and last played in Japan, where the cultural experience far outweighed anything he did on the field. But Chad Tracy once slugged 27 homers in a single season for the Diamondbacks, where the man who drafted him is now the Nationals' general manager. Plus, he hits left-handed and is versatile enough to play both the infield and outfield corners. Not so long ago, Tracy would have bristled at the notion of being a bench...

VIERA, Fla. - Now that they've locked up their present third baseman for the foreseeable future, the Nationals have made some decisions regarding third base prospect Anthony Rendon, the sixth overall pick in June's draft. General manager Mike Rizzo told MLB.com today that Rendon would play third base in the minors this season, though where he'll start the year has yet to be determined, and manager Davey Johnson said Rendon will start at third base Friday when the Nationals host Georgetown in...

VIERA, Fla. - Near the end of his daily briefing with the media, Nationals manager Davey Johnson was told by reporters that ex-Nat Livan Hernandez would be starting Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against Washington for the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla. "Livo?" Johnson said, his eyes growing wide and a grin crossing his face. "Livo's pitching that game, huh? The manager's interest was genuine, more than just a nod to renewing acquaintances with a pitcher who spent the last two-plus...

Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang drew quite a crowd while pitching live batting practice Monday. General manager Mike Rizzo, manager Davey Johnson, pitching coach Steve McCatty and minor league pitching coordinator Spin Williams were all casting a critical eye at the session, in which Wang looked pretty strong. Coming off shoulder problems that caused him to miss most of two seasons, Wang made 11 starts for the Nationals last season, rewarding the team's patience during his prolonged recovery....

SARASOTA, Fla. - The weather here is insane today. The sun was shining when I walked off the back fields, but it started pouring while the media met with manager Buck Showalter. We could hear the rain pounding the roof. I returned to my laptop, and the rain had just about stopped. Maybe a few drops were falling. A minute later, the sky opened up again and players were getting drenched as they ran to their cars. There are patches of blue sky, but one huge black cloud must be hovering over the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - I didn't bother approaching Tsuyoshi Wada's locker this morning, since that cortisone injection in his left elbow needs another day or two to take effect. His status hasn't changed. He'll receive treatment and avoid picking up a ball. Zach Britton will have a light catch day from 60-70 feet. Tomorrow, he'll repeat Sunday's routine of long-tossing from 60, 90 and 120 feet and simulating his delivery on flat ground. Britton still doesn't know when he'll be cleared to...

VIERA, Fla. - When left-hander

A couple of right-handers with a ton of experience are looking to break through and get the last one or two slots in the Nationals' bullpen this spring. Former UConn Husky Chad Durbin, who pitched with the Cleveland Indians in 2011, and spent the three previous seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He is off to a good start at camp with the Nationals. "(Durbin) looked outstanding, he looked like he had done it before," Menhart said. "He throws nothing straight. He can get that ball...