Johansen released, Valdez to DL in Nats' minor league moves

Johansen released, Valdez to DL in Nats' minor league moves
The Nationals announced they have released right-handers Jake Johansen and Mark Blackmar. The club has assigned right-hander Taylor Hill to Double-A Harrisburg from Triple-A Syracuse. Also, catcher Nick Rickles and right-handers Andrew Robinson and Derek Eitel have been assigned to Harrisburg from extended spring training. Johansen is the biggest name of those released today as a 2013 second-round selection. Early on, some in baseball circles envisioned a one-two punch of the 6-foot-6 Johansen...

Baker on cuts, González's goals and more

Baker on cuts, González's goals and more
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals made their first cuts of the spring today, sending five pitchers to minor league camp so they could get more frequent work. Right-handers Michael Broadway, Derek Eitel, Kyle McGowin and Wander Suero, and left-hander Tim Collins were all non-roster invitees to camp. They've been reassigned to minor league camp (players on the 40-man roster are optioned, others are reassigned). "We were getting to a point where guys are either backing up, especially the...