The Nationals dropped a hard-fought 2-0 late-March lid-lifter to the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, unable to generate offense against a solid pitching performance from veteran Derek Lowe.
In his ninth career opening day start, Nationals starter Livan Hernandez was equal to the task, allowing just two runs, and the Washington bullpen surrendered just two hits in the final 2 2/3 innings. After two early tallies, Hernandez retired 15 consecutive Braves hitters. His efficiency was particularly...
The Double-A Harrisburg Senators today announced their 2011 roster, which includes Carolina Player of the Year Tyler Moore, Derek Norris, Jimmy Barthmaier, Pat McCoy, Hassan Pena, Tim Pahuta, Bill Rhinehart, Steve Lombardozzi and Jesus Valdez.
The roster also includes recently acquired pitcher Erik Davis, obtained from San Diego in the Alberto Gonzalez deal. Tony Beasley is in his first season as the Senators' manager.
Here's the full roster breakdown:
Pitchers:
RHP Erik Arnesen
RHP...
Nationals left-handed pitching prospect Tom Milone got off to a slow start Wednesday, then settled down and had a smooth second and third innings in a Viera, Fla., instrasquad matchup.
"The first inning wasn't good. I was leaving balls over the middle of the plate," Milone said.
Milone ended up going three innings, allowed four hits, three runs, no walks and struck out three. Milone said he was able to control his pitches better following the rough first frame.
"I was locating a lot...
What are the expectations for the Nationals in the eyes of manager Jim Riggleman and general manager Mike Rizzo?
Would 75 wins be considered a good season? How about 80 victories? A playoff berth? A winning record?
Rizzo was asked if he would be pleased with 80 wins on 106.7 The Fan's Mike Wise Show Thursday, and replied, "It depends on how we reach 80 wins."
Rizzo said if the team struggles and then rallies to get to 80 wins he would be pleased. But if the team gets off to a great...
Nationals catcher Derek Norris is in Washington working out with the big league club before he embarks on his first season with Double-A Harrisburg.
Norris is coming off a very good spring at the plate, and was able to work on his defense to the point where he feels confident in his setup behind the plate. That was the part of his game that he most wanted to solidify before the regular season began.
Nationals veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez says each catcher can take advice from several...
I have more positive updates on some of the offensive stars that are making noise in the accelerated camp. There are a bunch of guys who are making good progress and demanding the attention of the coaching staff.
Nationals hitting instructor Rick Schu gave me details on a few of the players: Rick Hague, Tyler Moore, Stephen Lombardozzi, Randolph Oduber and Derek Norris. (Don't worry - this is not all-inclusive, more updates to come on prospects!)
"Shortstop Rick Hague out of Rice is...
Nationals hitting coordinator Rick Schu gave me an update on how some of the young hitters are doing in the accelerated camp during spring training.
We start with the biggest name in camp in Bryce Harper, who returned to the lineup Sunday and was able to smack a double and score a run early on in the game.
Another prospect you may have not heard of is a converted shortstop Michael Taylor. Schu says Taylor has opened some eyes with a good showing throughout camp at his new position in...
Here are progress updates for a pair of right-handed pitchers, Trevor Holder and Ryan Tatusko.
Holder split last season between Single-A Hagerstown and Single-A Potomac, going 7-6 with a 3.64 ERA in 26 starts. He struck out 102 batters and allowed 29 walks.
The 24-year old would like to cut down on his home runs allowed, with 11 of 14 surrendered for the season coming in just 14 starts in Woodbridge, Va. He was 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in Potomac.
The University of Georgia product has had a...
Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Brad Meyers is finally injury-free again and ready to continue his trek towards the majors after dealing with a major foot problem all of last season.
The 6-foot-6, 195-lb. hurler from Los Angeles, Calif., had a positive result in his most recent outing on Tuesday. Meyers threw four innings, allowed two runs, only one was earned on a solo homer, three hits, no walks and struck out five. He threw 58 pitches, 10 in the bullpen. His next scheduled start...
We continue our tour around the National League East as we stop in Miami. Tommy Hutton, a former major leaguer and current Marlins broadcaster who has been around baseball for 47 years, breaks down the 2011 Florida Marlins and what to expect.
The biggest off season change was the trade of All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla to the Atlanta Braves. How does that alter the Marlins on offense? Will they have to make a similar adjustment to what the Nationals expect with the departure of slugger Adam...
Nationals left-handed pitcher Tom Milone has had a couple of outings since our last update, but he felt Tuesday was his best start of spring training.
Milone went four innings, allowing three hits, no runs, no walks and striking out two batters.
"It went good," Milone said. "It felt the best I have felt so far in camp. I had command on every pitch. My pitches were low in the zone. Everything felt pretty good."
Milone says his off speed pitches were also hitting their spots
"I had...
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo reported Tuesday on the status of Nationals outfield prospect Bryce Harper, who injured his ankle Monday running the bases.
The diagnosis was a "medium" left ankle sprain. The return date was unclear and Harper has been listed as day-to-day.
A minor league official with knowledge of the situation is more specific about Harper's possible return, saying the Nats' top prospect is, "doing okay and should be back in four or five days."
That update...
Nationals right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock put in a lot of work in his most recent outing at accelerated camp as he tinkers with a new pitch.
"It went alright," Peacock said. "The first guy I faced fouled off like 10 pitches. I am still working on some stuff."
Peacock threw three innings this time, and expects to go four innings with a maximum 60 pitches on Wednesday. He'll be worked up to five innings and 75 pitches, which is standard for the starters.
The Miami, Fla. native has...
Nationals right-handed reliever Cole Kimball was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse Thursday, but didn't let the move change the way he approaches each day.
Some had written Kimball took the news hard, but 15 minutes after finding out he'd been sent down, he was back on the field stretching, following his normal time schedule at camp.
Despite the move to the minor league camp, the numbers Kimball put up at the major league level were very impressive. Kimball appeared in six games, throwing eight...
Minor league camp is in full swing as they get into a daily game schedule similar to what the players will see in early April. The pitchers have focused on fundamentals from day one, but there is a precise term and action the coaching staff wants to see the guys do with every pitch.
On the mound, the coaching staff wants the guys to concentrate on keeping the ball down in the zone. They do that by getting their pitchers to focus on the term "hollow of the knee."
"All we really care about...
Nationals pitching prospect Brad Meyers, who was limited to just six starts last season due to a foot injury, continues to steadily work his way back each day of spring training in Viera, Fla.
"He has responded very well to treatment," Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said. "He is taking regular repetitions. We are cautiously optimistic."
Harris said the right-handed Meyers is recovering from a foot problem similar to what Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia went...
Nationals catching prospects Sandy Leon and David Freitas are getting their work in at the accelerated camp after completing very solid 2010 seasons, Leon with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns and Freitas with the Short-Season Single-A Vermont Lake Monsters.
Leon made notable progress with Hagerstown in 2010, playing in 98 games and accruing 325 at-bats. Leon hit .249 with 10 doubles, six triples a pair of homers with 36 RBIs.
Last week, his name came up when I spoke to Sammy Solis and he talked...
Nationals pitching prospect Robbie Ray had a solid first outing last week, tossing two innings, allowing no hits and no runs. The left-hander threw a light bullpen Saturday and expects to pitch again Tuesday, possibly extending to three innings.
Ray was pleased with his first chance in a game. He worked in his three main pitches: fastball, changeup and slider.
"I was feeling pretty good," the 19-year old Ray said. "My fastball was locating well, from 90 to 93 miles per hour. The fastball...
Nationals prospect A.J. Cole pitched for the first time at accelerated camp in a game versus Italy this week. The right-hander went one inning, allowing two walks, no hits and no runs on 18 pitches.
Cole said it took him a few pitches to get going, but then he got into a rhythm.
"At first, it was a little slow but it got a little bit better," Cole said. "I was the third pitcher in the seventh inning against Italy. They were pretty good hitters, they made contact every time. I got a ground...