Lannan: Johnson is "best out there to lead us"

Lannan: Johnson is "best out there to lead us"
Nationals left-hander John Lannan, coming off his first 10-win season, was very pleased to hear that Davey Johnson will return as manager for 2012. Lannan said he was impressed with the way Johnson kept the Nationals going after Jim Riggleman abruptly resigned in late June. "It is great (to see Davey back)," Lannan said. "Davey inherited a tough situation. He said he was never a man to quit. He stuck with us. The way we played at the end of the season (winning 15 of our last 20 games),...

Nationals' 2012 interleague schedule no easy task

Nationals' 2012 interleague schedule no easy task
The Nationals got on their biggest roll in 2011 when they feasted on Seattle, Baltimore and the Chicago White Sox in June. It was one of the many reasons that factor into how a season plays out: the strength of schedule. The Nationals won 15 of their final 20 games to finish with at least 80 wins for the first time since 2005. Those two runs turned out to be crucial in the 80-81 finish. The Nats were able to post winning records of 17-10 in June and September. Ironically, Washington was able...

Nationals exercise Davey Johnson's managerial option

Nationals exercise Davey Johnson's managerial option
The Washington Nationals today announced they have exercised Davey Johnson's managerial option for the 2012 season. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Johnson will continue the on-field efforts he began on June 27, when he assumed the Nationals' managerial helm. "After a series of discussions, it became obvious that the Nationals would be best served if Davey Johnson would continue as manager," Rizzo said....

Solis gets even better, Lehman rebounds, Harper homer streak

Solis gets even better, Lehman rebounds, Harper homer streak
Scottsdale left-hander Sammy Solis built on last week's solid performance with a gem Saturday, pitching four innings, allowing one unearned run, scattering five hits, striking out five and walking two. Solis left with the game tied at one, and did not factor in the decision. Salt River eventually won 4-3 over Scottsdale. He also picked off a runner. Solis faced 18 hitters, ending up with 71 pitches, 45 for strikes. His ERA fell to 5.21. Reliever Patrick Lehman came in a pitcher later and...

Nationals adjust Lehman's mechanics in effort to break slump

Nationals adjust Lehman's mechanics in effort to break slump
Scottsdale Scorpions reliever Patrick Lehman has lost three straight in the Arizona Fall League and pitching coach Paul Menhart believes he's found out what has been going wrong. Lehman got through his first two AFL appearances with the Scorpions unscathed. However, over the last four outings, the George Washington product has allowed 11 runs,10 of them earned, on 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Menhart, the pitching coach for the Single-A Potomac Nationals, thinks a mechanical issue in Lehman's...

Solis looking to put back-to-back consistent outings together

Solis looking to put back-to-back consistent outings together
Left-hander Sammy Solis bounced back from a pair of starts where he allowed a total of eight runs by pitching five innings with just two runs allowed in his last outing for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League. Tonight, the University of San Diego product makes his fifth start as the Scorpions entertain Salt River. Scorpions pitching coach Paul Menhart reports Solis has been hitting between 92 and 96 mph with his fastball and the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder looked back in a groove...

Rafael Martin doing all the right things in Arizona (plus Harper update)

Rafael Martin doing all the right things in Arizona (plus Harper update)
Despite the Scorpions' 5-13 last-place record, Scottsdale right-handed reliever Rafael Martin has pitched well this month in the Arizona Fall League. The San Fernando, Calif., native has pitched six relief innings over four games since Oct. 11, allowing just one run on four hits, with two walks and five strikeouts, for an impressive 1.50 ERA. Scorpions and Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart said Martin is "one of the bright spots overall on the pitching staff and really stands...

Tickets on sale for "America's Night of Hope"

Tickets on sale for "America's Night of Hope"
Tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual "America's Night of Hope." The event, hosted by Joel and Victoria Osteen, will take place April 28 at Nationals Park. "America's Night of Hope" draws thousands of attendees from across the nation for an evening of celebration and hope. In previous years, the event was held at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and U. S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. For more information or to purchase $15 tickets for...

Could Tyler Moore be Nationals' version of Rangers' Mitch Moreland?

Could Tyler Moore be Nationals' version of Rangers' Mitch Moreland?
Watching Game 5 of the World Series on Monday and seeing Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland crank a crucial solo home run, it reminded me of a conversation I had with Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt comparing the Rangers' young player with the Washington Nationals' Tyler Moore. There are similarities between the two sluggers, except for what side of the batter's box they step in to. One hits lefty (Moreland) and the other is a righty (Moore), but both played college ball...

Solid Solis leaves with lead, gets AFL no-decision

Solid Solis leaves with lead, gets AFL no-decision
Scottsdale left-hander Sammy Solis had a consistent outing Monday, staking the Scorpions to a 3-2 lead through five innings of an 8-4 setback at the Peoria Javelinas of Arizona Fall League play. Solis allowed only two runs, struck out three, scattering four hits with one walk. He threw 63 pitches, 44 for strikes. He did hit one batter and had a pickoff attempt that turned into an error, got a no-decision. Solis had a clean first, setting down the Javelinas 1-2-3. The second inning saw...

Goodwin makes "huge strides" at instructional league

Goodwin makes "huge strides" at instructional league
Brian Goodwin was selected in the sandwich round at No. 34 in June's draft by the Nationals and was hailed for his speed and defensive tools in center field. The former University of North Carolina outfielder put on an impressive display of his talents during instructional league in Viera, Fla., this month, according to Nationals director of player development Doug Harris. "Goodwin made huge strides at instructs," Harris said. "The last three days, he put together some of the best at-bats...

Tickets on sale now for Joel Osteen's "America's Night of Hope" at Nationals Park

Tickets on sale now for Joel Osteen's "America's Night of Hope" at Nationals Park
Tickets are now available to the fourth annual "America's Night of Hope" with Joel and Victoria Osteen on April 28, 2012 at Nationals Park. "America's Night of Hope" is an annual event hosted by Joel and Victoria Osteen, pastors of Houston's Lakewood Church -- America's largest and most diverse church. The event draws thousands of attendees from across the nation for an evening of celebration and hope. In previous years, the event was held at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dodger Stadium...

Nationals draft rated No. 1: Rising talent level in system not going unnoticed

Nationals draft rated No. 1: Rising talent level in system not going unnoticed
The Nationals saw it in September with callups Chris Marrero, Stephen Lombardozzi, Brad Peacock and Tommy Milone making significant contributions to a run that resulted in a 15-5 record in the final three weeks of the season. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said the increased number of Triple-A players that did well in the big leagues is a prime example of how the organization is starting to stockpile quality prospects. Harris said he noticed the difference at...

Nationals adjust Meyer's delivery during instructional league work

Nationals adjust Meyer's delivery during instructional league work
University of Kentucky pitcher Alex Meyer had an excellent instructional league camp with the Nationals in Viera, Fla., and now prepares for his first professional season. The 6-foot-9, 220-lb., right-hander struck out 110 hitters in 101 innings last season with the Wildcats, and features what the Nationals call three plus pitches: a fastball, slider and change up. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said the 23rd overall selection in June's draft did not have too much...

With Walters playing third base, could Rendon wind up at second?

With Walters playing third base, could Rendon wind up at second?
Scottsdale catcher Derek Norris had a big game at the plate Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBIs in Mesa's 6-5 win over the Scorpions. Norris is now batting .286. He also scored a run, stole a base (his second of the Arizona Fall League season) and connected on a two-out RBI. Norris talked to me this week of how his swing had become "free and easy" in Arizona and he was less hesitant at the plate than he felt in Double-A Harrisburg at times this past season. Zach...

Nationals mascot Screech headed overseas

Nationals mascot Screech headed overseas
As the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, a lot of people in the northeast are looking to escape the blunders of winter for more promising weather. It looks like Screech, the popular Nationals mascot, is no exception. As part of the 2011 Taiwan All-Star Series, Screech was selected as the only major league mascot to accompany the team of Major League Baseball All-Stars on the journey. He'll join a group of players overseas for the five-day tournament to be held Nov....

Ex-Yankees prospect Garcia making big impression after a pair of Tommy John surgeries

Ex-Yankees prospect Garcia making big impression after a pair of Tommy John surgeries
The Nationals took a chance two years ago with a former Yankees pitcher coming off a major shoulder surgery. Chien-Ming Wang paid dividends for the Nationals' patience with a tremendous return to the big leagues, winning four of his last five decisions, and gaining his confidence and strength back. He had 16 strikeouts and no walks in his final four starts. Several times this summer with the Nats, Wang looked like the back-to-back 19-game winner from New York in 2006 and 2007. Once...

Nationals return Rule V pick Elvin Ramirez to Mets

Nationals return Rule V pick Elvin Ramirez to Mets
The Nationals have returned right-handed pitcher Elvin Ramirez to the NY Mets (per Rule 5 Draft).

Norris "free and easy" at plate after struggles at Harrisburg

Norris "free and easy" at plate after struggles at Harrisburg
Scottsdale Scorpions catcher Derek Norris has made some adjustments to his approach at the plate that have made a positive difference as he wraps up his 2011 season in the Arizona Fall League. Norris hit .210 in 104 games with 334 at-bats for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators this season. He had 17 doubles, one triple, 20 homers, 77 walks and 46 RBIs. Norris said playing in the Arizona Fall League this month has been good for his season. "I prefer this than to go out of the country to play...

Screech to visit Taiwan for All-Star tour

Screech to visit Taiwan for All-Star tour
Nationals mascot will accompany MLB All-Star Team for series against Chinese Taipei National Team. The Washington Nationals official mascot Screech has been selected as the only Major League Baseball (MLB) mascot to travel to Taiwan with a team of MLB All-Stars for the 2011 Taiwan All-Star Series the first week of November. Screech will join Nationals players Ross Detwiler and Michael Morse, who have been named to the MLB team roster, and Chien-Ming Wang, who will play for the Chinese Taipei...