Nationals Journal

Nationals-Padres discussion thread: Game 42

Adam Kilgore — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:05:16 GMT

At first pitch, the Braves were clinging to a two-run lead in a back-and-forth game against the Dodgers in Atlanta. The Nationals entered the day trailing the reeling Braves by only a half game in the NL East. It’s possible … Continue reading →

Ross Detwiler to miss at least one start with slight oblique strain

Adam Kilgore — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:56:32 GMT

Ross Detwiler will miss at least one start with a slight oblique strain, a diagnosis the Nationals discovered after he underwent a second MRI exam this afternoon. The severity of Detwiler’s injury, Manager Davey Johnson said, will determine who takes … Continue reading →

Tonight’s Nationals-Padres lineups

Adam Kilgore — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:50:35 GMT

The Nationals tonight will send two-time all-star Gio Gonzalez against rookie Burch Smith, who is making the second start of his career. In his first, six days ago, Smith allowed six earned runs in one inning. The Nationals, in other … Continue reading →

Ryan Zimmerman’s ‘A Night At The Park’ fundraiser coming next week

Adam Kilgore — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:40:20 GMT

This seems like as good a time as any to offer a reminder that Ryan Zimmerman’s annual “A Night At The Park” event will take place Thursday at Nationals Park, less than a week away. Zimmerman and his charity, ziMS … Continue reading →

Starting a no-hitter just part of Paul Demny’s development

Lacy Lusk — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:53:10 GMT

For Class AA Harrisburg right-hander Paul Demny, pitching eight innings of a no-hitter was nice. Backing it up with another solid start was even better. Nationals officials have never had doubts about the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Texan’s stuff. He was good … Continue reading →

Nationals take a step in the right direction

Adam Kilgore — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:58 GMT

When Stephen Strasburg reached the dugout after the eighth inning last night, Manager Davey Johnson shook his hand. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman slapped him on the backside. Shortstop Ian Desmond gave him such a fierce high five it could be … Continue reading →

Ross Detwiler to receive second MRI, Jayson Werth’s return pushed back

Adam Kilgore — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:39:29 GMT

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler will receive a second MRI on his ailing back Friday after his exam Thursday afternoon “inconclusive,” General Manager Mike Rizzo said. The second test, Rizzo said, will be broader, covering a wider area of his back. … Continue reading →

Nationals-Padres discussion thread: Game 41

Adam Kilgore — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:02:15 GMT

Stephen Strasburg used to come to Petco Park and sit in the right field seats, which gave him the best view of the Padres pitchers warming up in the bullpen. Tonight, the pride of West Hills High and San Diego … Continue reading →

Bryce Harper returns to the Nationals lineup, meets Johnny Manziel

Adam Kilgore — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:58:07 GMT

Bryce Harper returned to the Nationals lineup tonight, still feeling banged up from his oft-replayed collision with the right field wall in Dodger Stadium. Harper will play left field tonight, with Roger Bernadina taking over in right. “He’s a tough … Continue reading →

Ross Detwiler likely to miss next start with back issue

Adam Kilgore — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:38:34 GMT

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler received an MRI this afternoon to diagnose the full extent of his back injury and may have to miss his next start, scheduled for Monday in San Francisco. Detwiler, who is 2-3 with a 2.76 ERA, … Continue reading →

Wilson Ramos placed on disabled list, Bryce Harper returns to Nationals lineup

Adam Kilgore — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:37:03 GMT

The Nationals, as expected, placed catcher Wilson Ramos on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain and replaced him with Jhonatan Solano, who will back up Kurt Suzuki. Bryce Harper will return to the lineup tonight after being … Continue reading →

Bud Selig involved in MASN dispute talks, still no resolution in sight

James Wagner — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:20:25 GMT

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is directly involved in ongoing talks between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals about the two teams’ longstanding dispute over the value of the Nationals’ television rights fees. According to one person … Continue reading →

The Nationals’ astonishing inability to come back

Adam Kilgore — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:13:54 GMT

Last night, when Zack Greinke poked an RBI single into right field in the second inning, he had unwittingly done sleep-deprived fans back in Washington a favor. The run had given the Dodgers a 2-0 lead, and even though the … Continue reading →

Bryce Harper feeling ‘terrible’ after at-bat, could play Thursday

Adam Kilgore — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:58:08 GMT

Wednesday in the ninth inning, two nights after he tested the structural integrity of the right field wall at Dodger Stadium, Bryce Harper hopped out of the dugout and stood in the on-deck circle. He had not talked his way … Continue reading →

Jayson Werth rehabs, hamstring feels better

James Wagner — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:13:32 GMT

Jayson Werth began his rehab assignment on Wednesday in Woodbridge, played three innings for Class A Potomac, went 1 for 2 at the plate and tested out his strained right hamstring in a game for the first time in over … Continue reading →

Nationals-Dodgers discussion thread: Game 40

Adam Kilgore — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:02:12 GMT

The Nationals will try to win the series tonight in Los Angeles behind Ross Detwiler, who has yet to allow more than three earned runs in a start all year. They’ll face Zack Greinke, who will make only his third … Continue reading →

Bryce Harper remains out, Nationals remain confident he has no concussion

Adam Kilgore — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:44:03 GMT

Outfielder Bryce Harper remained out of the Nationals lineup with soreness tonight, two days after his violent collision with the right field fence at Dodger Stadium. Harper, unlike Tuesday, warmed up with the Nationals during batting practice, taking a full … Continue reading →

Dan Haren is feeling healthy, confident and on a roll

Adam Kilgore — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:41:41 GMT

The Nationals’ latest offensive shutdown, at the hands of the great Clayton Kershaw, obscured a development that may contain more long-term significance. Dan Haren continued his resurgence, filling up the strike zone, gathering more confidence and giving the Nationals, at … Continue reading →

Nationals may be eyeing Kissimmee and Osceola County for new spring training sites

James Wagner — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:14:19 GMT

The Nationals’ desire to leave the only spring training home they’ve known in Viera and Brevard County is well known. Fed up with the long bus rides from a relatively remote location, the Nationals have been exploring other spring training … Continue reading →

Nationals still waiting on Danny Espinosa to come around

Adam Kilgore — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:37 GMT

Danny Espinosa might take more early batting practice than any Nationals hitters, certainly more than any regular player. He was out there again Tuesday afternoon, still looking for a breakthrough lately. He thought he had found it. “I thought I … Continue reading →

Nationals-Dodgers discussion thread: Game 39

Adam Kilgore — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:49:20 GMT

For the second straight night, the Nationals have a chance to leave Dodger Stadium in first place. If Dan Haren can topple Clayton Kershaw and the Diamondbacks beat the Braves in Arizona, the Nationals will be tied atop the NL … Continue reading →

Davey Johnson goes unconventional against Clayton Kershaw

Adam Kilgore — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:40:15 GMT

Denard Span is sitting tonight against Clayton Kershaw simply because Manager Davey Johnson wanted to give him a day off. Span is just fine. Johnson also wanted to give Eury Perez, who is in the majors only to replace Jayson … Continue reading →

Bryce Harper feeling nauseous, unwilling to change style after collision

Adam Kilgore — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:22:14 GMT

The day after the right field wall got the better of their collision, Bryce Harper stood in the visitors clubhouse at Dodger Stadium and listed off what hurt: “Both legs. Shoulder. Ribs. Hand. Wrist. Chin, of course.” In his chin, … Continue reading →

Tonight’s Nationals lineup: Bryce Harper, Denard Span out

Adam Kilgore — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:26:45 GMT

The Nationals are using a lineup without all three of their starting outfielders against Clayton Kershaw tonight. Bryce Harper is out after getting 11 stitches last night, Jayson Werth is on the disabled list and Denard Span has no clear … Continue reading →

Bryce Harper ‘day to day’ after X-rays come back negative

Adam Kilgore — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:26:24 GMT

The Nationals consider Bryce Harper “day to day” after his scary collision Monday night with the right field wall at Dodgers Stadium, General Manager Mike Rizzo said. Harper underwent X-rays on his left leg and left shoulder late last night, … Continue reading →