Nats shift three coaches into new roles, add one new staffer

Nats shift three coaches into new roles, add one new staffer
SAN DIEGO - The Nationals are shuffling three of their coaches to new positions for the 2020 season, with Tim Bogar taking over as bench coach, Chip Hale moving to third base coach and Bob Henley switching to first base coach. Every member of Davey Martinez's World Series winning staff returns next season, with one exception: Pat Roessler has been hired as assistant hitting coach, replacing Joe Dillon, who accepted the lead hitting coach's job with the Phillies last month. That means three...

Soroka turns tables on Scherzer, Braves cruise to 5-0 win

Soroka turns tables on Scherzer, Braves cruise to 5-0 win
Last Sunday in Atlanta, Max Scherzer allowed the Braves only one run on two hits in six convincing innings of work. It was the only win for the Nationals in the four-game set against the Braves, serving as reassurance that when the Nats desperately need a win against a very good team, he would deliver. That will likely be the challenge the Nats face if they get to the National League wild card game Oct. 1. But in the second matchup with Atlanta in five days, the Braves liked what they saw from...

Adams credits Nats coaching staff for keeping him on track

Adams credits Nats coaching staff for keeping him on track
It is a big deal the Nationals were able to quickly get Matt Adams back in the fold for 2019 and with a mutual option for 2020. Adams, 30, appeared in 94 games for the Nats last season before being traded to the Cardinals. He was important to the Nats when first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was on the disabled list. Adams started 57 games, hit18 homers and contributed 48 RBIs. Known for his power, Adams also takes pride in his defense. In 2016, his range factor of 10.29 was the best in the majors for...

Martinez vows to "push the envelope" in second year

Martinez vows to "push the envelope" in second year
As he prepared for his first season as a big league manager, Davey Martinez scanned the Nationals roster and saw names of players with considerable experience and considerable success up and down the list. So Martinez's instinct was to stay hands off, to trust that these players knew how to prepare and didn't need a new staff to come in and reinvent the wheel. As he now prepares for his second season - on the heels of a disappointing first season, mind you - Martinez has come to a different...

Hump day: Martinez opens morning workout with live camels

Hump day: Martinez opens morning workout with live camels
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The daily Circle of Trust meeting began just any other. As players gathered around the Nationals logo at the center of their athletic turf field outside FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, bench coach Chip Hale went over the good and the bad from yesterday's exhibition game, then detailed the plan for this morning's workout. And then things got a little weird. A recording was played of third base coach Bob Henley, frequently the most boisterous speaker at these...

Turner healthy for 2018, confident as everyday shortstop

Turner healthy for 2018, confident as everyday shortstop
It will be exciting to see what shortstop Trea Turner can accomplish after a season that was interrupted by injury. Turner was limited to 98 games after missing all of July and most of August, yet still hit .284 and stole 46 bases. One big question for Turner: How will he handle the regime change at manager? Turner valued his time with the experienced Dusty Baker. "Unfortunate," Turner said of Baker's dismissal over the weekend at Nationals Winterfest. "I really enjoyed Dusty as a manager...

Nats add three more to staff, including pitching coach Lilliquist

Nats add three more to staff, including pitching coach Lilliquist
The Nationals have hired Derek Lilliquist as pitching coach, Tim Bogar as first base coach and Joe Dillon as assistant hitting coach, adding two more experienced members to new manager Dave Martinez's staff plus another first-timer with ties to the organization. In announcing the additions of Lilliquist, Bogar and Dillon along with the previously reported hiring of Chip Hale (bench coach), Bob Henley (third base coach) and Kevin Long (hitting coach), the Nationals have filled all but one...