Byron Kerr

Comparing Span and Werth's numbers as leadoff hitters in 2012

February 02, 2013, 4:01pm

The Nationals traded for center fielder Denard Span to be their leadoff man for 2013. This will give right fielder Jayson Werth a chance to move down in the lineup. Although the sample sizes are different because Span was the leadoff man three times more than Werth, it is interesting to see how close the numbers are for two very different styles. Obviously, the power numbers favor Werth a bit, but Span did a great job of making contact and keeping his on-base percentage at a good level. ...

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Nationals relievers' acceptance of new roles key to matching Braves bullpen

February 02, 2013, 3:25am

Nationals

In 2012, the Nationals watched from their own division as the Atlanta Braves put together a final inning formula for shutting down opponents. With Eric O'Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel, the Braves had the seventh, eighth and ninth innings effectively extinguished for opposing hitters. And with the Braves' starting staff needing only to get through the sixth frame, the game was shortened to those 18 outs to start the game. Venters, with his sinkerball, pitched 45 of his 53 1/3...

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Zimmerman's move to first base a long way off

January 31, 2013, 4:50pm

Nationals

Zimmerman's move to first base a long way off

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had four cortisone shots during the 2012 season as he battled inflammation in his right shoulder. Despite a slow start because of that aching shoulder, Zimmerman came on strong to finish with a .282 average, 25 homers and 95 RBIs. He also hit .381 in five games versus St. Louis in the National League Division Series. That critical third cortisone shot at Baltimore in late June turned his season around. Zimmerman underwent successful arthroscopic surgery...

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Nationals announce 2013 spring training broadcast schedule

January 31, 2013, 6:54am

Nationals

The Nationals have released their 2013 spring training broadcast schedule, which begins Feb. 24 against the Miami Marlins with a radio game on 106.7 The Fan. The first televised game is Feb. 28 on MASN as the Nationals battle the New York Mets. Five games will also be broadcast on CBS Sports Radio 1580 AM, the first on Feb. 26 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., against the Atlanta Braves. MASN previously released its television schedule for spring training 2013. You can access that schedule here....

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Few options from left side spotlight importance of Gonzalez (updated)

January 30, 2013, 4:52pm

Nationals

Few options from left side spotlight importance of Gonzalez (updated)

The Nationals do not want to have to go into their 2013 defense of the National League East crown without left-hander Gio Gonzalez. This week, however, Gonzalez's name was linked to a South Florida company that allegedly distributed performance-enhancing drugs to pro athletes. If, in a worst-case scenario, Gonzalez is suspended for any period of time, what kind of options do the Nationals have as a choice for a possible sixth starter? Free agents Javier Vazquez, Jonathan Sanchez, Joe...

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Out of options, Rivero faces long odds at cracking 25-man roster

January 29, 2013, 6:16pm

Nationals

Out of options, Rivero faces long odds at cracking 25-man roster

The Nationals' depth is evidenced by a bench that you would feel comfortable starting if the need arises. Guys like Chad Tracy, Steve Lombardozzi, Tyler Moore, Roger Bernadina and Kurt Suzuki (or Wilson Ramos) all can start, whether to give another starter a day off or as an injury replacement. One player trying to crack into that rotation is a still young and yet very experienced Carlos Rivero. The 24-year old right-handed-hitting third baseman had his best season as a pro in 2012 with...

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Twins, July 4 against Brewers and series vs. Dodgers highlight Nats' June, July home games

January 29, 2013, 3:16am

Nationals

Twins, July 4 against Brewers and series vs. Dodgers highlight Nats' June, July home games

June and July are the heart of baseball season, as the weather is really optimal. A lot of memories of baseball games gone by are from those summer games and the Nationals have another great summertime schedule. The Mets arrive for three games from June 4-6, all at 7:05 p.m. The first weekend series of June will be the arrival of Denard Span's former team, the Twins, June 7-9. The game on Saturday, June 8, is a 4:05 p.m. start. After a road trip to Denver, Cleveland and Philadelphia, the...

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Nats starting times released, April begins with matinee against Marlins

January 25, 2013, 7:49am

Nationals

Nats starting times released, April begins with matinee against Marlins

Major League Baseball released the Nationals' 2013 start times this week. The home opener is April 1 at 1:05 p.m. against the Miami Marlins. That series includes a 7:05 p.m. start on April 3 and a getaway day start at 4:05 p.m. on April 4. The White Sox arrive the next week from April 9-11 for three 7:05 p.m. starts. Then the homestand continues with the first big test, against the Atlanta Braves from April 12-14. The three games in the Braves weekend series begin at 7:05 p.m., 1:05 p.m. and...

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GCL Nats pitching capsules: Pena, Pineyro, Hollins

January 24, 2013, 9:07am

Nationals

GCL Nats pitching capsules: Pena, Pineyro, Hollins

Here is another installment on some of the Nationals' young pitchers to watch that pitched for then-manager Tripp Keister while in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League last year. Right-hander Ronald Pena: Pena made three starts for the GCL Nats, going 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in six innings of work, with five strikeouts and one walk. With short-season Single-A Auburn, The 6-foot-4, 195 lb., Pena pitched in two games for 6 1/3 innings, going 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA, four strikeouts and no walks. The...

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Another artist rendering of future Potomac Nationals stadium

January 22, 2013, 1:26pm

Nationals

The high Single-A Potomac Nationals conducted their 18th annual Hot Stove Banquet on Sunday night. At the banquet, P-Nats owner and chairman/CEO Art Silber unveiled more details regarding the new stadium to be built for the team in Prince William County at the Potomac Town Center. The artist's rendering showed the classic aerial view of the stadium from right field and several shots of the concourse area that include the exclusive club and suites levels, a wraparound party deck with views of...

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Schwartz gained momentum in Hagerstown after long college season

January 20, 2013, 5:08am

Nationals

Schwartz gained momentum in Hagerstown after long college season

Continuing our updates on some of the pitching prospects who pitched for the Gulf Coast Nationals in 2012, we spotlight right-hander Blake Schwartz. The 6-foot-3, 200-lb., right-hander from Oklahoma City started five games for the GCL Nats before moving to Single-A Hagerstown and getting seven starts with the Suns. Schwartz went 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA for the GCL Nats. In 16 innings, Schwartz struck out 12 batters and allowed one walk. Tripp Keister,the new skipper in Hagerstown, had Schwartz...

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Cole will not have to try to impress in return to Nats

January 20, 2013, 4:41am

Nationals

Cole will not have to try to impress in return to Nats

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo talked last week about one of the possible reasons why right-hander A.J. Cole struggled in his initiation to the Oakland A's organization last season. The high altitude and high-octane California League has gotten to many a great starting pitcher over the years. Rizzo scouted that league extensively while with the Arizona Diamondbacks and knows from experience. Potomac Nationals pitching coach Chris Michalak knows Cole very well and believes there might...

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Nationals look in own backyard for left-handed reliever depth and find real McCoy

January 19, 2013, 7:03am

Nationals

There is a bit of concern regarding the left-handed depth available out of the Nationals bullpen heading into the 2013 campaign. Zach Duke and Bill Bray are the top names that will get the best shot to be the lefty specialists out of the 'pen. Duke did well in his work last season with the Nationals and despite some injuries, Bray had success with the Cincinnati Reds. And he also was with the Nationals before he was traded away in 2007. But do the Nationals need more depth at the spot? Ross...

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Rizzo on getting Cole back and saying goodbye to Morse

January 17, 2013, 1:03pm

Nationals

Rizzo on getting Cole back and saying goodbye to Morse

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, speaking during Rafael Soriano's introductory press conference, said he was excited to be able to get a talent like right-hander A.J. Cole back in the organization. Rizzo said the deal to get a prospect like Cole, and right-hander Blake Treinen, would not have been possible by just talking to the Seattle Mariners. In his discussions with Seattle, he was able to get the Oakland A's involved, and that is how Cole, Treinen and a player to be named were...

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Nats "excited" to get chance to work with A.J. Cole again

January 17, 2013, 9:47am

Nationals

Nats "excited" to get chance to work with A.J. Cole again

The Nationals are elated to get right-hander A.J. Cole back in a trade with the Oakland A's. After trading away the top prospect to the A's in the package for left-hander Gio Gonzalez, the Nats re-acquired Cole in a trade that sent Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners. Cole struggled at high Single-A Stockton, going 0-7 with a 7.82 ERA in eight starts in the hitter-friendly California League. After going down to low Single-A Burlington, Cole rebounded to go 6-3 with a 2.07 ERA in 19 starts....

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GCL Nats pitching capsules: Barrientos, Vasquez and Dicharry

January 15, 2013, 9:59am

Nationals

GCL Nats pitching capsules: Barrientos, Vasquez and Dicharry

The Gulf Coast League Nationals had their share of pitching prospects make progress in 2012, as the youngsters look to move up to short-season Single-A Auburn or low Single-A Hagerstown. We will take a look at several of their prospects in a couple of installments this week. The Nationals worked very hard to teach the prospects to pitch to contact, emphasizing from the beginning a philosophy of putting the ball in play and not allowing walks. Pitching coach Michael Tejera, rehab pitching...

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Source: Matt Skole invited to big league spring training

January 14, 2013, 10:11am

Nationals

Source: Matt Skole invited to big league spring training

Nationals minor league Player of the Year Matt Skole, who hit 27 homers and 92 RBIs for low Single-A Hagerstown, has been invited to major league spring training, a baseball source has confirmed. The news was first reported by Skole's brother Jake

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Daubach on the Dominican and updates Perez, Skole and Burns

January 12, 2013, 5:41am

Nationals

Daubach on the Dominican and updates Perez, Skole and Burns

High Single-A Potomac Nationals manager Brian Daubach recently completed winter ball as the hitting coach for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Republic. Daubach worked with 30 hitters from several teams, including Nationals outfielder Eury Perez. Daubach said their is nothing like baseball in the Dominican. He said the way the fans get into the games, being right on top of the action, reacting to every pitch and every swing, makes it feel like every game is a must-win. "It is pretty...

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Baseball America's Nats No. 1 prospect: Anthony Rendon

January 11, 2013, 8:43am

Nationals

Baseball America's Nats No. 1 prospect: Anthony Rendon

When Anthony Rendon was first selected by the Nationals, there was a lot of excitement about his potential and how his quick hands and lightning reflexes in the batter's box would translate to the pro level. That excitement was tempered a bit when Rendon went down in April with a fractured ankle in a Single-A game at Lynchburg. Despite that ankle injury, Rendon came on strong and showed consistency in the field, which sets up for an exciting full season ahead. And the incredible potential...

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LaRoche was "fighting to get back" to Nationals

January 09, 2013, 8:48am

Nationals

One day after agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with the Nationals, first baseman Adam LaRoche said that despite other offers, he knew this was the place he wanted to be. There were negotiations with the Nationals and with some other teams, but one reason LaRoche did not accept something comparable was because the Nats already had a good team, and he felt most comfortable playing for them. "One of the big ones was I was fighting to get back to Washington," LaRoche said during a...