On Scherzer's hit, Goodwin's wrist, Romero's departure

On Scherzer's hit, Goodwin's wrist, Romero's departure
Some Sunday morning news and notes before the Nationals and Rockies wrap up their four-game series ... * It didn't lead to any actual runs scored for the Nationals, but there's no denying Max Scherzer's fifth-inning single Saturday served as something of a wakeup call for a slumbering offense and fired up the entire dugout. The Nationals trailed the Rockies 2-1 and hadn't found any way to escape the doldrums that had been present throughout the series. Then Scherzer lined a 1-2 pitch from...

Romero designated, Montero goes on paternity list

Romero designated, Montero goes on paternity list
The combination of a short bench, better-than-expected weather and the pending birth of a player's child led the Nationals to make a flurry of roster moves before today's game against the Mets. Already playing with a four-man bench to begin the season, the club was facing the possibility of even fewer options after Adam Eaton tweaked his ankle during Thursday's home opener. Though the dynamic leadoff man says he feels "great" and is expected back in the lineup Sunday, the Nationals decided...

Nats appear to set roster after optioning Reynolds, Sanchez

Nats appear to set roster after optioning Reynolds, Sanchez
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals will open the season with an eight-man bullpen and a four-man bench, a decision that may have as much to do with ensuring they didn't lose anyone from their organization who was out of options as it was about in-game strategy. As the club's flight home to Washington was departing this evening, the Nats announced they had optioned infielders Matt Reynolds and Adrian Sanchez to Triple-A Syracuse. The domino effect of that: All the relievers remaining in big...

Breaking down the remaining bullpen candidates

Breaking down the remaining bullpen candidates
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Perhaps the most difficult roster question the Nationals face in the final days of spring training is how to fill in the final vacancies in their bullpen. It doesn't help that more vacancies have opened up during the course of the spring. Koda Glover's recurring shoulder woes and now Joaquin Benoit's forearm strain have created some openings that might not previously have existed. Not that there's an easy answer to this quandary. Let's begin with the bullpen slots...

With one week to go, what's left for Nats to decide?

With one week to go, what's left for Nats to decide?
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We are down, if you can believe this, to the final seven days of spring training. Yep, one week from now the Nationals will be home in Washington, getting settled into their digs for the season and preparing to face the Twins in one last exhibition game on South Capitol Street before heading out to Cincinnati for opening day. Which means it's crunch time down here in Florida. All those decisions that have been looming for five weeks? It's about time to make them. All...

Checking in on the camp competitions

Checking in on the camp competitions
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We're roughly halfway through the Grapefruit League schedule, which makes it a good time to revisit some of the few competitions in Nationals camp this spring. Keep in mind that with a veteran-laden roster built to three-peat in the National League East, there weren't a lot of open roster spots heading into spring training. But good camps are built on competition and there are still a few 25-man roster jobs up for grabs before the March 29 opener in Cincinnati. One of...

Once a weakness, revamped 'pen enters spring as strength

Once a weakness, revamped 'pen enters spring as strength
As the start of spring training fast approaches, we're breaking down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series continues today with the bullpen ... Undeniably the club's biggest weakness through the first half of the 2017, the Nationals bullpen morphed into one of its true strengths by season's end. For that, thank general manager Mike Rizzo, who acquired three key arms in July and transformed the nature of the seventh, eighth and ninth innings in dramatic...

What would the Nats have needed to offer for Gerrit Cole?

What would the Nats have needed to offer for Gerrit Cole?
The Astros pulled off one of the biggest trades of the winter this weekend, finally snagging Gerrit Cole from the Pirates in exchange for four young players. The initial reaction from most: Houston didn't give up a whole lot. Joe Musgrove, Colin Moran and Michael Feliz have all spent time in the big leagues in the last two seasons, but none is considered a top-tier prospect. And the fourth player, Jason Martin, is a Double-A outfielder who was left unprotected from the Rule 5 draft and wasn't...

Hard-throwing reliever Romero will get another chance in 2018

Hard-throwing reliever Romero will get another chance in 2018
As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Enny Romero, who had an up-and-down first season in Washington ... PLAYER REVIEW: ENNY ROMERO Age on opening day 2018: 27 How acquired: Traded from Rays for Jeffrey Rosa, February 2017 MLB service time: 2 years, 72 days 2017 salary: $551,000 Contract status: Under team control in 2018, arbitration-eligible in 2019, free agent in 2022 2017 stats: 2-4, 3.56 ERA, 53...

NLDS roster includes Goodwin, Robles, Romero, Lobaton

NLDS roster includes Goodwin, Robles, Romero, Lobaton
The Nationals are carrying four left-handed relievers and an extra bench player for the National League Division Series, ultimately choosing to take a chance on young players like Brian Goodwin, Victor Robles and Enny Romero over veterans or a long reliever. The Nationals will have a seven-man bullpen for their best-of-five series against the Cubs. Closer Sean Doolittle is joined by right-handed setup men Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler and Matt Albers, plus a trio of lefties who can be used to...

Scherzer pulled in fourth with apparent leg issue (Nats lose 4-1)

Scherzer pulled in fourth with apparent leg issue (Nats lose 4-1)
The last thing the Nationals needed in Game 161 of the season was to pull Max Scherzer in the top of the fourth inning for any reason other than performance, but that's what they got tonight. Scherzer was removed from his final postseason tune-up with what appeared to be a right leg issue after he landed awkwardly while throwing a pitch to the Pirates' Josh Bell. Whether his removal by manager Dusty Baker was a move of extreme caution or reason for actual concern is the question that now...

Bullpen doing its job again, but what's up with Romero usage?

Bullpen doing its job again, but what's up with Romero usage?
PHILADELPHIA - The bullpen shined again Monday. Four relievers, three of them left-handers, shut out the Phillies for the final 10 outs of the game in a 3-1 Nationals win. A key battle occurred in the sixth. Starter A.J. Cole notched two outs to begin the frame. But the Phillies sandwiched a single in there by Odúbel Herrera, who had earlier crushed a solo shot. 101 pitches into Cole's start, the Nats decided to go to the bullpen to try to get out of the frame. Left-hander Oliver Pérez...

Grace in "rhythm," feels "good right now" as postseason approaches

Grace in "rhythm," feels "good right now" as postseason approaches
With the postseason now just two weeks away, the conversation continues as to how many left-handed relievers the Nationals will carry on the playoff roster. Sean Dollittle is a lock as the closer. But will the Nats also carry Enny Romero, Sammy Soliís, Oliver Pérez and Matt Grace? I spoke to Solís this week about the competition for the left-handed spots on the postseason roster. He said he is taking these last few weeks "very, very seriously." Same goes for Grace. He said...

Solís taking every outing "very seriously" as he vies for postseason spot

Solís taking every outing "very seriously" as he vies for postseason spot
Left-hander Sammy Solís has been pitching well the last few games. He hopes this run to the finish line will be enough to prove he deserves a spot on the postseason roster. Solís has a 1.35 ERA in his last seven games. But he did not pitch in May or June, making only 11 appearances before Aug. 1. Solís was on the disabled list with left elbow inflammation from April 19 to July 1. He appreciates the medical staff taking it slow with him before he returned to pitching, making no...

Baker on how many left-handed relievers they will carry in playoffs

Baker on how many left-handed relievers they will carry in playoffs
The Nationals make their way towards the National League Division Series with some decisions to make in the bullpen and specifically how many left-handers they will carry in the post season. Left-handed closer Sean Doolittle leads the list as the lock. He is 1-0 with 20 saves, a 2.78 ERA and nine holds in 47 games. He is 17-for-17 in save opportunities with the Nats. Left-handed batters are hitting .158 (6-for-58) against his pitches. The other southpaws under consideration for the post season...

Five Nats who still have something to prove before October

Five Nats who still have something to prove before October
There are team-oriented objectives for the Nationals over the season's final three weeks, but there also are individually oriented objectives that will help determine how this team looks once it reaches the postseason. With that in mind, let's take a look at five players for whom this final stretch carries some extra weight, even with the Nationals having already clinched the division crown... WILMER DIFO The dynamic infielder is going to make the postseason roster; he has earned that spot...

Madson, Romero return from DL to bolster Nationals bullpen

Madson, Romero return from DL to bolster Nationals bullpen
MILWAUKEE - Ryan Madson is back on the Nationals active roster. Whether he's ready to pitch quite yet remains to be seen. Madson was one of five players added to the roster before tonight's game against the Brewers, joining fellow pitchers Enny Romero, Austin Adams and Erick Fedde, plus catcher Raudy Read as the club's first round of September call-ups. All technically are eligible to appear in games immediately, but Madson may need a bit more time. Out since Aug. 14 with a sprained index...

First September call-ups coming; Scherzer to start Saturday

First September call-ups coming; Scherzer to start Saturday
MILWAUKEE - Major league clubs typically use their allotment of September call-ups to get a first look at prospects who may figure into the long-term plan, ensure depth at positions where it's needed and reward a few guys for great minor league seasons. The Nationals find themselves in a different situation as the calendar flips from August to September. They'll be expanding their roster not so much to get a look at young guys but to restock their roster with players who have been hurt and to...

Madson goes on DL with finger sprain, Kelley activated

Madson goes on DL with finger sprain, Kelley activated
SAN DIEGO - Just when the Nationals appeared to have to solved their bullpen woes, one of their recently acquired arms has gone down with an injury. Ryan Madson was placed on the 10-day disabled list today with a sprained right index finger, an injury that is not believed to be serious but will nonetheless sideline the club's new setup man for the time being. Shawn Kelley, who already had been close to returning from a long rehab assignment, was activated off the DL and is available out of the...

Strasburg likely Monday in Potomac for rehab start; plus injury updates

Strasburg likely Monday in Potomac for rehab start; plus injury updates
Nationals manager Dusty Baker had the latest on how close Stephen Strasburg is to returning to the rotation. "It's not written in stone but he had a good session the other day," Baker said. "He's supposed to go out here pretty soon for a rehab assignment." Pitching coach Mike Maddux said Strasburg's most recent bullpen session went well and that he is building stamina. His likely rehab assignment is Monday night for high Single-A Potomac at home in Woodbridge, Va., against Salem. Maddux...