Nationals Spring Training 2014
Nats Option Kobernus and Leon Out; 5th Starter?
The Nationals optioned Jeff Kobernus and Sandy Leon out, to Triple-A and Double-A, respectively, and with the latest moves left only the battle for the fifth spot in the 2014 rotation unsettled. So what does the Nats' 25-Man Roster look like?
Nats Sign Frandsen, Place Ohlendorf On 60-Day DL
The Washington Nationals confirmed the deal with Kevin Frandsen which was widely-reported earlier this morning and announced this afternoon that they placed 31-year-old right-hander Ross Ohlendorf on the DL with a right lumbar strain.
Nationals Reportedly Sign Infielder Kevin Frandsen
After the latest series of roster moves on Tuesday, the Washington Nationals, according to multiple reports, have signed veteran infielder Kevin Frandsen after the seven-year major leaguer opted out of his deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Nationals' Latest Moves: 3 To Triple-A, 2 Released
The Washington Nationals announced a number of roster moves this afternoon. Ryan Mattheus, Xavier Cedeno and Tyler Moore were optioned to Triple-A. Jamey Carroll and Chris Young were released and Aaron Barrett made the Opening Day roster...
Nationals Release Veteran Catcher Chris Snyder
The Nationals announced tonight that they released 33-year-old, 10-year veteran Chris Snyder tonight, who became expendable after the Nats traded for 29-year-old Jose Lobaton earlier this winter. Snyder could have opted out of his deal this week...
Taylor Jordan Talks Battle For 5th Rotation Spot
Taylor Jordan got another strong start in this afternoon, making Washington Nationals' manager Matt Williams' decision a tough one as he tries to decide if Jordan or right-hander Tanner Roark is going to be the Nats' fifth starter on Opening Day.
Nationals Rumors: On Desmond and the "$90M Offer"
CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman wrote on Sunday night that his sources told him Washington Nationals' shortstop Ian Desmond turned down a multi-year offer believed to be worth somewhere around $90M this winter before agreeing on a two-year deal.
Williams On Sleepless Nights and Roster Decisions
Nationals manager Matt Williams has some difficult decisions to make in the next week, before the Nats' season opener with the New York Mets in Citi Field. He talked this weekend about wanting to get things right and bring the best team north...
Fister & Williams on Fister's Second Spring Start
Nationals' skipper Matt Williams said Doug Fister came through his second start of the spring fine. The Nats' 30-year-old starter pitched in a Grapefruit League game for the first time in 20 days after dealing with inflammation in his right elbow...
"I just see a guy that understands how to hit..."
Nationals' catcher Wilson Ramos is 11 for 31 so far this spring, and Nats' skipper Matt Williams told reporters this week that the big 26-year-old backstop has been impressive behind the plate as well as he prepares for his fifth MLB season.
Aaron Barrett Still in the Mix For the Nats' Pen
With just 10 days to go before the Nats' season opener in Citi Field, Aaron Barrett remains in the mix for the final spot in the bullpen. "He's one of the guys that we're certainly keeping a close eye on and looking at," Matt Williams said this week.
Matt Williams on Ross Detwiler, Nats' Reliever
Washington Nationals' skipper Matt Williams made the tough decision to move Ross Detwiler into a bullpen role earlier this week and after the 28-year-old lefty's first relief appearances, the new Nats' manager explained the thinking behind the move.
Walters, Garcia, Ohlendorf Optioned To Triple-A...
Zach Walters was crushing at the plate in Grapefruit League action, and he was reportedly not happy to learn he was optioned to Triple-A today, but the Washington Nationals made that announcement and others this afternoon in the latest round of cuts.
Stephen Strasburg Named Nats' Opening Day Starter
It's not much of a surprise, but Nationals' Manager Matt Williams made the official announcement tonight, naming 25-year-old right-hander Stephen Strasburg the Nats' Opening Day starter for Game 1 of 162 on March 31st in New York's Citi Field.
Davey Johnson on Tanner Roark vs Taylor Jordan...
It's Matt Williams who will have to make the tough decision on which pitcher ends up in the fifth spot in the rotation at the start of the 2014 campaign, but former Nationals' manager Davey Johnson discussed the two main options late last season...
Detwiler to Bullpen According to Matt Williams
Ross Detwiler started Spring Training as a candidate for the fifth spot in the Nationals' rotation, but new Nats' skipper Matt Williams told reporters today that the 28-year-old, 2007 1st Round pick will start the 2014 campaign as a reliever.
Souza, Perez To AAA SYR, Solis To AA Harrisburg...
The Nationals optioned outfielders Steven Souza and Eury Perez to Triple-A Syracuse this morning, and optioned left-handed reliever Sammy Solis to Double-A Harrisburg. Other players reassigned were Mike Fontenot, Brian Goodwin and Koyie Hill.
Nats Option Purke, Taylor To Double-A, Reassign 4
Michael Taylor and Matt Purke are both on the Washington Nationals' 40-Man Roster. They were both optioned to Double-A Harrisburg today and the Nats reassigned four pitchers to minor league camp as well in the latest moves to trim the roster.
"The HR? I hung it. Hung the heck out of it."
Washington Nationals' right-hander Tanner Roark made his third Grapefruit League appearance this afternoon. Roark went 3 1/3 innings in today's 10-9 loss to the Houston Astros. Afterwards he talked about competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Matt Williams Talks Getting To Know Bryce Harper
Washington's skipper Matt Williams talked on Tuesday about getting to know the Nationals' 2010 no.1 overall pick Bryce Harper as each of them prepare for the 2014 campaign. Can Harper reach the high expectations placed on him under the new manager?
Felipe Rivero Optioned To AA; A.J. Cole Reassigned
The Washington Nationals announced two more roster moves this morning, optioning 22-year-old lefty Felipe Rivero to Double-A Harrisburg and optioning A.J. Cole to minor league camp after each pitcher impressed in short spring stints with the Nats.
Nats' RHP Taylor Jordan Quietly Makes His Case
So much of the conversation about the Nats' fifth starter has focused on the presumed incumbent Ross Detwiler versus the out-of-nowhere 2013 success story Tanner Roark. But Taylor Jordan is quietly making a case for himself.
"Threw fine. He feels good." - Williams on Fister
Matt Williams told reporters after learning that a flat ground throwing session for Washington Nationals' starter Doug Fister went well. Fister was diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow after his first start of t
Zimmermann & Williams Talk About Start vs Yankees
Nationals' right-hander Jordan Zimmermann threw four scoreless and hitless innings against the New York Yankees this afternoon in Grapefruit League action. After the start, the 27-year-old pitcher said he felt like he was ready for the new season.
Nationals' RHP Doug Fister To Throw On Flat Ground
After the initial panic in NatsTown upon hearing that new Nationals' starter Doug Fister was sidelined with inflammation in his right elbow, the news has been relatively positive and on Monday Nats' skipper Matt Williams said Fister would throw today
The Nats' Big-Swinging Left-Handed 1B Prospect
Matt Skole was reassigned to minor league camp on Sunday. Baseball America ranked Skole as the no.4 overall prospect in Washington's organization for 2014. The 24-year-old first/third baseman will likely start back in Double-A this season.
Can Christian Garcia make the Nationals' bullpen?
Do the Nationals want to keep two left-handers in the bullpen after making the mistake of thinking they only needed one last spring? So: Xavier Cedeno or Mike Gonzalez? Do they go with one of the right-handers in camp like Christian Garcia?
Strasburg Working On Slider, Holding Runners + PFP
Washington Nationals' right-hander Stephen Strasburg gave up a run in three innings on Sunday afternoon in Space Coast Stadium, allowing one in the first then throwing two scoreless against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Nationals ST Updates: Mattheus, Ohlendorf + More
The Washington Nationals travel to Champion Stadium to take on the Atlanta Braves tonight. Before Wednesday afternoon's game with the New York Mets, Nats' skipper Matt Williams updated reporters on Ryan Mattheus, Ross Ohlendorf and more...
Matt Williams Talks Walters, Espinosa and Carroll
Does Danny Espinosa's experience in the majors give him an edge in the battle for the utility role with the Nationals... if he loses out in the battle for the second base job? Could Zach Walters fill the utility role? What about Jamey Carroll?
"He's passionate, he's funny, he's energetic."
New Nationals' Manager Matt Williams brought Mark Weidemaier with him from Arizona, giving the former Asst. GM and Advance Coach a new role as the Nats' Defensive Coordination and Advance Coach. Williams talked about Weidemaier at length...
Strasburg w/ 2 Scoreless vs Braves in Spring Debut
A quick update from this afternoon's Grapefruit League game: Washington Nationals' right-hander Stephen Strasburg threw two scoreless in his first start of the spring, giving up a one-out single in the second before getting an outing-ending 6-4-3 DP.