VIERA, Fla. - As news of Ryan Zimmerman's long-awaited, long-term extension with the Nationals passed through the Space Coast Stadium clubhouse Sunday morning, the third baseman's teammates spoke of how much Zimmerman deserved the security afforded by the deal, which could keep him in a Washington uniform through 2020. "I think that's great. I think it's showing that the Nationals, the Lerner family is trying to bring a winning ballclub here to D.C. for a long time," said left fielder...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jason Berken said his sore left hamstring is "definitely feeling better," but he'll go at least one more day without throwing. Berken continues to receive treatment on the hamstring, which he strained while running sprints toward the end of Thursday's workout. "There's definite improvement," he said. "The stability is better. Walking feels more normal." Berken is competing for a bullpen spot. He has an option remaining. Pedro Strop is out of options, so...

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman entered the Nationals' clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium around 8:10 a.m. Sunday and tried to get to his locker without any fanfare. Fat chance. He almost made it to his stall in the far corner next to the showers. But a few yards away, he was intercepted by teammate MIchael Morse, who offered a congratulatory high five to celebrate the third baseman's new long-term extension with the Nationals. Terms and length of the contract are unknown, and Zimmerman said...

VIERA, Fla. - Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman this morning agreed to a long-term extension with the Nationals, according to a baseball source. Terms and length of the deal are not yet known. Check back for more details as they become available.

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman and the Nationals moved closer to hammering out a contract extension late Saturday night, resolving some "last significant issues" that were holding up a deal, general manager Mike Rizzo said. The Nationals are hopeful that a deal can be announced Sunday. "We don't have a deal done, but we've made significant progress tonight," Rizzo said shortly before 11 p.m. "We feel good about it and optimistic that we can reach an agreement, but there's some small...

VIERA, Fla. - If Roger Bernadina is concerned that he might get squeezed out of the Nationals' outfield picture, he isn't letting on. In previous years, Bernadina came to camp with an opportunity to win a spot on the 25-man roster. This year, his biggest challenge might be staying with the organization. The Nationals will carry either four or five outfielders, depending on whether manager Davey Johnson goes with six or seven infielders. Either way, it will be tough for Bernadina to break...

The Washington Nationals Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team will return to Nationals Park for the second annual Wounded Warrior Amputee Celebrity Softball Classic following the Nationals-Red Sox exhibition game on Tuesday, April 3. The softball team will take the field to face a group of D.C.-area celebrities in a free post-game event to help celebrate the start of the 2012 baseball season. This unique team is made up of veterans and active duty service members from across the United States...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson has run enough spring trainings to be able to appreciate both the excitement that accompanies the first day of full-squad workouts and the need to wisely use the time available during spring to learn as much as he can about his players, both old and new. The newcomers got the bulk of Johnson's attention Saturday, when the Nationals held their first full-squad workout. While most of his regulars were grouped together at one field, Johnson hung out...

VIERA, Fla. - Bryce Harper mashed a couple of pitches over the fence in right-center field during his first live batting practice session of spring training on Saturday. But he was quick to point out that the long home runs came off a spring training instructor - or what manager Davey Johnson has called "dead arm pitchers," who threw today instead of his regular hurlers, who got the day off from throwing. And then there were the gusty 20-25 mph winds, blowing out, which helped lift balls...

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg will start the Nationals' home exhibition opener against the Astros on March 4, with Gio Gonzalez making his first start for the club two days later when the Nats travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to visit the Braves, manager Davey Johnson said Saturday. Johnson's announcement completed the first turn of the rotation through Grapefruit League play, and the manager also outlined a tentative schedule of the starting pitchers in camp who will...