I had a chance to talk with Nationals pitcher Garrett Mock as he prepares for the 2010 season in Viera, Florida. He went 3-10 with a 5.62 ERA in 28 games with 15 starts. His last start was an impressive no-decision against Atlanta on October 1. In that game he allowed 1 earned run, a solo homer, in 6 innings, scattering 5 hits. "I wish I had 15 more games. Last year, I had a few good outings. I was a starter, a reliever and a spot starter. With so many different roles I am learning so...

I had a chance to catch up with No. 1 overall selection Stephen Strasburg as he embarks on his first professional spring training as a member of the Washington Nationals. It was a busy offseason for Strasburg. He participated in the Arizona Fall League and married girlfriend Rachel Lackey last month in San Diego. Strasburg signed a record $15.1 million contract with the Nationals in mid-August before getting his start in the Arizona Fall League, going 4-1 with a 4.26 ERA in five...

As we countdown to spring training 2010, let's put a spotlight today on pitcher Jason Marquis, the newest front line starter for the Nats. I had talked to Ryan Speier during NatsFest, who like Marquis, came over from the Colorado Rockies. Speier said some of his breaking pitches didn't do what he expected they would do at 5,280 feet, so he had to adjust a little bit and become more of a power pitcher. I had a chance to speak with Jason with other reporters at last month's NatsFest. I...

Nationals lefthander Matt Chico missed most of the 2009 season after having elbow surgery in 2008. Chico is optimistic he can return even better than he was before the surgery because he is pain free for the first time since his first spring training in 2004. I had a chance to talk with Matt as he prepares in Viera for spring training. How does elbow feel? "I pitched 83 innings last year in Low A and Double A. I made three or four starts. Everything was good at that point. Some simple...

The Nationals announced today they have signed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang. Wang won 38 games in 2006 and 2007 for the New York Yankees. I asked manager Jim Riggleman what he thought of the signing of Chien-Ming Wang: "I think it is a great signing on the part of the whole organization. It makes a statement by the Lerners, Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzo that we are not standing pat. "We are trying to do everything we can to improve because we know he will likely not be ready early in the season....

I had a chance to speak with Nationals manager Jim Riggleman as spring training 2010 gets underway today. We went over several of the important issues the Nats have solved and that they face as they embark on Jim's first full year as the Nats skipper. On the signing of Adam Kennedy at second base: "At this point, Mike has really addressed every issue we talked about since August with Adam Kennedy being one of those guys. We felt we needed add another infielder. It's a perfect match, a...

I spoke with Nationals left-hander Matt Chico today on his first bullpen session. He's in the same group as Stephen Strasburg, which he touches on a little bit in our conversation. Chico talked to me about what pitches he threw and how his arm feels today. He also shared what Steve McCatty and minor league pitching coordinator Spin Williams told him after the session and what refinements he'd like to make to his changeup. Chico even breaks down what, mechanically, he's working on and...

Nationals pitcher Garrett Mock gives us an update of how spring training is going so far as I caught up with him for a question and answer session. We talked about his two bullpen sessions and what he thinks of pitching in the first game of spring training. On pitching in the first split squad game March 4th against the Astros (J.D. Martin will start the other split squad game vs. the Marlins): "It should be a fun experience. It doesn't mean that much to me to be the first starter in...

With all the buzz continuing towards swarm proportions regarding baseball phenom Stephen Strasburg and when he will pitch in the majors, I thought it would be great to check in with the Potomac Nationals, The Nats High Class A affiliate in my beautiful hometown of Woodbridge, Virginia. Potomac has been mentioned as a likely starting point for Stephen as he makes his way to Nats Park in the (hopefully) near future. Jonathan Griffith, the Vice President and General Manager of the Potomac...

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond told me this week he gets to camp every day before 7:00 a.m. because he wants to be there "early, as a younger player". He reads on the board what he will work on that day and gets on the field. He spent a few moments with me talking about his experiences so far and the possibility he could be the everyday shortstop for the Nationals. How has spring training gone for you so far? "I got here early and settled in (February 10th). I feel really good. My...