Mark Zuckerman

What drives veteran Madson to keep pitching at elite level?

March 14, 2018, 2:08pm

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Ryan Madson is the type of person who doesn't provide a quick, stock answer to a question. Ask the 37-year-old reliever something and he'll pause before saying anything, consider his thoughts on the subject and then reveal them in a matter-of-fact tone. Which made his answer to the following question - "After a long and productive career spanning 15 seasons, what drives you to keep pitching in the majors?" - more elaborate and more interesting than a reporter might...

190 Hits

Comments

Tags:

Scherzer ramps things up, Nats make six more cuts

March 13, 2018, 6:49pm

Nationals

Scherzer ramps things up, Nats make six more cuts

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Maybe it was the fact they were playing under the lights for the first time this spring. Maybe it was the fact he was stretched out to five innings for the first time. Or maybe it was simply the fact he's Max Scherzer. Whatever the case, the Nationals ace seemed to be even more amped up than usual for tonight's start against the Mets, one in which he posted five zeros, allowed one hit, struck out nine and strutted around the mound more than once. Scherzer may not be...

176 Hits

Comments

Tags:

bryan harper mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime spring training wander suero featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Wieters keeps hitting, Scherzer keeps dealing (Nats win 7-4)

March 13, 2018, 4:41pm

Nationals

Wieters keeps hitting, Scherzer keeps dealing (Nats win 7-4)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla - The closer we get to opening day and the more he keeps piling up hits, the more Matt Wieters looks like he may legitimately have figured something out at the plate. Already having shown marked improvement through the first half of spring training, Wieters hasn't let up tonight. The veteran catcher had hits in each of his first two at-bats against Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler, raising his Grapefruit League batting average to a cool .438. Wieters' hits tonight, like...

157 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman matt wieters max scherzer nationals nationals pastime new york mets spring training featured_sidebar andrew stevenson bryce harper ryan madson joaquin benoit frontstory_nationals3

Updates on Cole, Taylor, Murphy and more

March 13, 2018, 2:31pm

Nationals

Updates on Cole, Taylor, Murphy and more

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Though he couldn't make his scheduled start Monday due to an illness, A.J. Cole is already back throwing and should be able to slot back into his spot in the Nationals rotation by the end of the week. Cole was supposed to face the Tigers in Lakeland but had to be scratched a day in advance after he fell victim to a stomach bug. The right-hander did feel well enough Monday to throw a side session off a bullpen mound, manager Davey Martinez said, and he emerged from that...

225 Hits

Comments

Tags:

a.j. cole daniel murphy mark zuckerman michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

The history of Nats managers, through Zimmerman's eyes

March 13, 2018, 11:32am

Nationals

The history of Nats managers, through Zimmerman's eyes

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have experienced plenty of change over the years, nowhere more so than in the manager's office. Davey Martinez is now the club's seventh full-time manager in 14 seasons in Washington, with none of his predecessors having survived longer than 2 1/2 seasons. Only one player has been around for every one of the seven skippers: Ryan Zimmerman, the organization's first draft pick in 2005. Zimmerman's career has included its own share of changes, but he has...

236 Hits

Comments

Tags:

davey johnson davey martinez dusty baker frank robinson jim riggleman manny acta mark zuckerman matt williams nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach

March 13, 2018, 11:13am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - And we're back. Caught a flight back down to Florida this morning, just in time to see the Nationals take on a Mets split-squad this evening at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Thanks as always to Pete Kerzel for filling in during my break; I'll be with you the rest of the way, which actually isn't that much longer. There are only 12 Grapefruit League games left on the schedule before the club packs up and heads north. We still aren't seeing anything close to...

0 Hits

Comments

Tags:

lineups mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime new york mets victor robles frontstory_nationals1

Excited Soto gets his first chance to play in front of coaches

March 04, 2018, 12:05pm

Nationals

Excited Soto gets his first chance to play in front of coaches

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Juan Soto's exuberance, possibly over-exuberance, was understandable. Here was a 19-year-old prospect standing in the batter's box in a major league Grapefruit League game for the first time, pinch-hitting for Howie Kendrick in the bottom of the sixth of Sunday's game against the Tigers. So when Soto nearly swung out of his shoes a couple of times while striking out against 22-year-old right-hander Gerson Moreno, those in the park with big league experience weren't...

258 Hits

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez juan soto mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Adams, Harper return healthy and productive in win over Tigers

March 04, 2018, 11:23am

Nationals

Adams, Harper return healthy and productive in win over Tigers

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As happy as he was to see Matt Adams launch a ball off the right field wall in the bottom of the second today, Davey Martinez also couldn't help but cringe a little once he realized Adams was going to have to try to stretch the hit into a triple. "I'm going: 'Oh lord, stop,'" the manager said. "He said he felt fine. My biggest thing about spring training is the fear of injuries. Every day we get through a game and nobody gets hurt, it's a good day." Chalk up...

185 Hits

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper gio gonzalez mark zuckerman matt adams nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Harper belts first homer of spring (Nats win 6-2)

March 04, 2018, 9:21am

Nationals

Harper belts first homer of spring (Nats win 6-2)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It had been a quiet spring so far for Bryce Harper. Too quiet, to be honest. There was his introductory press conference, during which he made it clear he won't answer questions about his looming free agency. There were some nondescript at-bats in his first couple of Grapefruit League games. And then there were three days off after having an ingrown toenail removed. Sooner or later, Harper was going to do something eye-catching, right? Yep. It happened in the bottom of...

189 Hits

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper detroit tigers edwin jackson gio gonzalez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime new york mets spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals' plan behind the plate remains a question

March 04, 2018, 7:04am

Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - One of the few legitimate roster decisions the Nationals need to make this spring is behind the plate, where Matt Wieters returns as the No. 1 catcher but the backup position is up for grabs. As much conjecture as there was over the winter about the Nationals pursuing an upgrade - J.T. Realmuto? Alex Avila? Jonathan Lucroy? - general manger Mike Rizzo continues to stand behind Wieters, who he believes is primed for a bounceback season. The backup job? That's up for...

217 Hits

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez mark zuckerman matt wieters miguel montero nationals nationals pastime pedro severino spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Split-squad lineups: Nats vs. Tigers and Mets

March 04, 2018, 5:56am

Nationals

Split-squad lineups: Nats vs. Tigers and Mets

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's a split-squad day for the Nationals, with one group staying back here in West Palm Beach to face the Tigers and another group heading north to Port St. Lucie to face the Mets. Between the two games, nearly everybody of consequence on the roster is playing somewhere today, and there even will be some prospects from minor league camp coming off the bench (including outfielder Juan Soto here at the home game). Gio Gonzalez starts against a Tigers lineup that includes...

269 Hits

Comments

Tags:

detroit tigers edwin jackson gio gonzalez lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime new york mets spring training frontstory_nationals3

Turner's patient approach leading to more walks this spring

March 03, 2018, 4:19pm

Nationals

Turner's patient approach leading to more walks this spring

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Trea Turner knows the primary criticism with his approach at the plate. And he doesn't entirely disagree, even if he adds a qualifier to the sentiment. "I think a lot of people made a big deal out of me not walking the last couple years, I guess rightfully so," the Nationals shortstop said. "But I feel like if they give me pitches to hit, I should put them in play. And if they don't, I need to walk." Turner is an aggressive hitter, always has been and always will...

200 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training trea turner davey martinez featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Strasburg gets his work in, Doolittle works on his off-speed stuff

March 03, 2018, 12:15pm

Nationals

Strasburg gets his work in, Doolittle works on his off-speed stuff

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The day began with Stephen Strasburg on the mound for the first time against an opponent this spring. And Strasburg's outing - two innings of one-run ball, plus another 20 pitches in the bullpen afterward - was important, in that he needed to make his first start of the spring at some point and begin the process of ramping up before the season begins. These days, though, there's not that much new for Strasburg to do in spring training. After several years of tinkering,...

184 Hits

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime sean doolittle spring training stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Verlander outdoes Strasburg in spring matchup (Nats win 8-1)

March 03, 2018, 9:11am

Nationals

Verlander outdoes Strasburg in spring matchup (Nats win 8-1)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It lasted all of 2 1/2 innings, but at this time of the spring, we'll all take as much of a Stephen Strasburg-Justin Verlander pitching matchup as we can get. The two right-handers didn't disappoint in their head-to-head showdown today at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Strasburg allowed one run over two innings but consistently hit 97-98 mph with his fastball. Verlander, meanwhile, tossed three scoreless innings and struck out five before calling it a...

206 Hits

Comments

Tags:

houston astros justin verlander mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training stephen strasburg bryce harper featured_sidebar victor robles frontstory_nationals3

Martinez meets with Torre, learns more about pace of play

March 03, 2018, 7:27am

Nationals

Martinez meets with Torre, learns more about pace of play

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez had sat through meetings with Joe Torre before, but only as a bench coach to Joe Maddon, and thus not as the primary point of contact between Torre (Major League Baseball's chief baseball officer) and his club. This morning's session at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, then, represented a new dynamic for Martinez, who was responsible for digesting everything Torre revealed regarding MLB's new pace of play rules and making sure any pertinent...

216 Hits

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez joe torre mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pace of play spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

March 03, 2018, 4:28am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - I know none of you up north want to hear about the weather down here right now, but it has cooled off considerably across Florida, with the same cold front that has caused so much havoc back home swooping through this state as well. The wind has picked up and the temperatures have dropped - I know, I know, it's still going to be 75 degrees this afternoon - for the first time all spring. With the wind blowing in, it should be a good day to be a pitcher. Not that either...

0 Hits

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper houston astros justin verlander lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime spring training stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals1

Zimmerman happy with first two at-bats of the spring

March 02, 2018, 6:01pm

Nationals

Zimmerman happy with first two at-bats of the spring

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - There was no real drama to it, just a couple of at-bats in a Grapefruit League game against a couple of pitchers who may or may not make the Mets' opening day roster. But it was the first time Ryan Zimmerman had done any of that in a game this spring, so the simple fact he did get two at-bats yesterday in the Nationals' 2-1 victory was newsworthy. "Always good to get in there," the veteran first baseman said. "Two good at-bats, two good swings. I guess that's as...

172 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime new york mets ryan zimmerman spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Amid Tebow circus, Scherzer gets down to business

March 02, 2018, 11:27am

Nationals

Amid Tebow circus, Scherzer gets down to business

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - From Max Scherzer's perspective, it was just a guy standing at the plate wearing a No. 83 Mets jersey. The name on the back, or the hoopla that comes with it, mattered little. "No, I'm out there trying to get him out," the Nationals ace said. "I'm working on my instincts, what I think I need to do to get him out. Just working with (Matt) Wieters going over different things we're trying to accomplish today." Scherzer, of course, knew the guy's name. How could he...

203 Hits

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime new york mets ryan zimmerman spring training tim tebow featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Harper to return Saturday, Lind to Yanks (Nats win 2-1)

March 02, 2018, 6:46am

Nationals

Harper to return Saturday, Lind to Yanks (Nats win 2-1)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Bryce Harper is scheduled to return to action Saturday, his toe having healed from a minor surgical procedure to remove an ingrown nail. Harper was originally due to play Wednesday, but had to be scratched after he reported the toenail problem. He had it removed later that day, then sat out Thursday while healing. Though he's not playing in today's game against the Mets, Harper was due to participate in the Nationals' workout in Port St. Lucie. Assuming all goes well,...

190 Hits

Comments

Tags:

adam lind bryce harper mark zuckerman matt adams nationals nationals pastime spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Port St. Lucie

March 02, 2018, 4:51am

Nationals

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Port St. Lucie

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Finally, some big names on the field for an exhibition game. Though it should be noted that "big names" doesn't necessarily mean "good baseball players" in every case. When the Nationals take the field this afternoon to face a Mets split-squad, he'll be going up against some experienced major leaguers like JosÃ© Reyes, Jay Bruce and AdriÃ¡n GonzÃ¡lez. He'll also be going up against cleanup hitter Tim Tebow. Yes, Tim Tebow is batting cleanup today. Against Max...