Before receiving his recent injury news, catcher Jesus Flores agreed to help Nationals Buzz readers learn some basic Spanish words about baseball. The young catcher grew up in Venezuela and signed with the Mets in 2002. The Mets organization provided regular classes to the Hispanic players to help them learn the new language. Since arriving in Washington, Flores has worked hard to improve his speaking and writing ability in English, seeking out both a private tutor and opportunities to...

Josh Willingham and his wife Ginger have launched an important foundation dedicated to serving children and families in need in Alabama. The first project of the Josh Willingham Foundation will be building a playground for under-served children in their hometown of Florence, Alabama, but they also hope to help families in need around the holidays. "We started the foundation because we've had so much support from our family, our hometown and our friends back home," said Ginger Willingham. ...

A fan favorite player during his time in Washington, Ryan Church talked before Sunday's game about missing his teammates and fans in the nation's capital, but being thrilled to be part of the Braves organization. "Words can't describe it," Chuch said of playing for a franchise steeped in history and tradition with legendary manager Bobby Cox at the helm. Church described the Braves organization as low-key and very different from the high-pressure atmosphere in New York. "They have the...

We did it, NatsTown. Together, we survived another difficult season while miraculously watching our team somehow end up with 59 wins again. We lost a GM, a manager and several players but we gained exciting new players, a young pitching phenom, a talented new GM and another first round draft pick in 2010. Despite the challenges this season brought, we still witnessed some very good baseball from time to time. Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham provided plenty of moments to...

The Nationals' community service initiatives take no off-season, as evidenced by Thursday's gathering of nearly 300 children at Nationals Park to participate in Jump Start's Read for the Record program. USO volunteers, students and families joined the Washington Nationals, the Pearson Foundation and United Through Reading for a special bilingual reading of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar on Thursday morning. Nationals president Stan Kasten welcomed the children to Nationals...

Nearly a dozen children gathered near the fireplace at the cozy Children's Inn at NIH in Bethesda to hear John Lannan read "Casey at the Bat" on Thursday afternoon. It was Lannan's first visit to the Children's Inn, a residential "place like home" for sick children and their families seeking treatment at NIH. But Thursday's visit wasn't about treatment or discussing hardship. It was an afternoon escape from the routine, complete with a special visit from two big league baseball...

Update: Stephen Strasburg has been scratched for precautionary reasons from his scheduled start in the Rising Stars Game due to a muscle strain in his neck. He is listed as day-to-day. Both Drew Storen and Stephen Strasburg have been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Showcase on Saturday evening at Surprise Stadium. In fact, Strasburg is expected to start the game for the AFL East Division team. The great news for Nats fans is that MLB Network will carry a live...

On Sunday evening, Nationals pitchers John Lannan and Craig Stammen will make another community appearance - this time in support of Bethesda Big Train. The team plays in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League each summer and won the Championship this season. The 11th Annual Big Train Base Ball & Auction will take place on Sunday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Pooks Hill Marriott in Bethesda. ESPN's Tim Kurkjian will be the featured guest speaker with special appearances by...

It was a crowded night at the ESPN Zone. With various games on television including the big ECU vs. Virginia Tech match-up, the place was filled with enthusiastic fans supporting their football and hockey teams. But a day after the World Series, the sports world was on break from baseball - except for a few lucky Nationals fans. Near the front of the room, MASN's Fantasy Baseball winners gathered at a large table and enjoyed appetizers, dinner, drinks and a long, casual conversation with...

It sure is nice to have some players staying in Washington during this offseason. Both John Lannan and Craig Stammen opted to spend time in the nation's capital this winter while training with strength and conditioning coach John Philbin in Gaithersburg, MD. Staying in the area has allowed both players to make additional community service appearances and to interact with fans on a regular basis. Over the weekend, the teammates showed up at Bethesda Big Train's annual Base Ball & Auction...