Braymer excited to join 40-man, details adjustments during 2019 season

Braymer excited to join 40-man, details adjustments during 2019 season
Left-hander Ben Braymer got a thrilling phone call on Wednesday from the Nationals telling him he had been placed on the organization's 40-man roster. "I was super excited," Braymer said. "I thought I might have an opportunity for that to happen but when I got the call (Wednesday) morning, I was very, very excited. A lot of positive emotions. It was cool." In part one of our visit with Braymer (Twitter: @B_Braymer), we break down his move to Triple-A and the adjustments he had to make in a...

Barrett, C. Kieboom, Garcia headline non-roster invitees to camp

Barrett, C. Kieboom, Garcia headline non-roster invitees to camp
The Nationals have announced 18 non-roster invitees to spring training, including two of their top infield prospects and a pitcher trying to return to the majors for the first time 2015 after a myriad of injuries. The two infield prospects - Luis Garcia, 18, and Carter Kieboom, 21 - both figure to get a lot of playing time around the diamond at various positions. Garcia, who has played shortstop, second base and third base, slashed .298/.335/.406 with seven homers and 46 RBIs for low Single-A...

Nats add lefty reliever Nuño on minor league deal

Nats add lefty reliever Nuño on minor league deal
Seeking for some more experienced left-handed options in their bullpen, the Nationals have signed veteran Vidal Nuño to a minor-league contract with an invitation to compete for a job in big-league camp this spring. The deal, confirmed by a club source, will pay Nuño $1.3 million if he makes the major league roster, according to Fancred's Jon Heyman. It includes an opt-out clause if Nuño doesn't make the team. Nuño, 31, posted a 1.64 ERA and 1.030 WHIP in 17 appearances for the...

Monday morning thoughts on Dozier, Reynolds and Harper

Monday morning thoughts on Dozier, Reynolds and Harper
A few thoughts as everyone wakes up this Monday morning and digs out from the weekend snowstorm ... * We should be hearing from Brian Dozier soon, perhaps as soon as today, now that the veteran second baseman's one-year, $9 million contract with the Nationals has officially been announced. Dozier, who agreed to terms of the deal Thursday, passed his physical Sunday to finalize the process. There will be plenty of topics to discuss with Dozier, but perhaps most interesting will be his...

Murphy gets night off, Reynolds subbing for Rendon (Nats lead 6-3)

Murphy gets night off, Reynolds subbing for Rendon (Nats lead 6-3)
MIAMI - When Daniel Murphy, originally listed in the Nationals lineup for tonight's series opener against the Marlins, was scratched about 3 1/2 hours before first pitch, it was only natural for conspiracy theorists out there to wonder if the veteran second baseman had just become the first victim of an unexpected late-July fire sale. Rest assured, the Nationals didn't trade Murphy, nor have they made any decisions to become surprise sellers in advance of Tuesday's trade deadline. Not yet,...

Game 102 lineups: Nats at Marlins

Game 102 lineups: Nats at Marlins
MIAMI - So the tone of this weekend's series at Marlins Park has changed just a bit, even in the last 24 hours, huh? The immediate issue: Stephen Strasburg isn't pitching tonight as planned. He's back on the disabled list with a neck injury, only one start after he returned from his shoulder injury. So in his place is Tommy Milone, promoted from Triple-A Syracuse to make an emergency start tonight. Milone, you'll remember made his major league debut for the Nationals way back in 2011 (and...

Nats throw Sanchez right into lineup, hope Bautista stays hot

Nats throw Sanchez right into lineup, hope Bautista stays hot
SAN FRANCISCO - With Shawn Kelley headed to the disabled list, but two workhorses starting the final games of this road trip in advance of an off-day, the Nationals decided to go with an extra bench player tonight and Wednesday against the Giants. That led to the recalls today of infielder Adrian Sanchez and outfielder Rafael Bautista from Triple-A, the two taking the roster spots previously held by Kelley and infielder Matt Reynolds (who was optioned to Syracuse). And manager Davey Martinez...

Sanchez and Bautista promoted, Reynolds demoted, Kelley to DL

Sanchez and Bautista promoted, Reynolds demoted, Kelley to DL
SAN FRANCISCO - A long road trip for the Nationals has featured a host of roster transactions, and a bunch more are being added to the list today. The Nationals are calling up infielder Adrian Sanchez and outfielder Rafael Bautista from Triple-A, optioning infielder Matt Reynolds to Syracuse and placing reliever Shawn Kelley on the disabled list with an elbow injury, sources familiar with the moves confirmed. It's merely the latest attempt by the club to address a litany of issues that have...

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...

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...

Roark struggles, Nats finally on the board (Nats lose 4-3)

Roark struggles, Nats finally on the board (Nats lose 4-3)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Tanner Roark's spring string of innings without allowing an earned run ended at 8 1/3, and the right-hander struggled in the first and fourth innings against the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. Roark surrendered a one-out single to Tommy Pham in the first, and José Martínez followed with a no-doubter of a home run to left field, the first earned runs Roark has allowed in four Grapefruit League starts. After two scoreless innings featuring three groundball outs and...

Versatility has become Reynolds' calling card

Versatility has become Reynolds' calling card
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - When the call came, when the Mets told him they were designating him for assignment in early February to open up a 40-man roster spot after signing free agent third baseman Todd Frazier, Matt Reynolds didn't know exactly what to think. Being designated for assignment is baseball's uncomfortable limbo, where a team has 10 days to trade, waive or outright a player to the minor leagues. In most cases, a player is on the move - he just doesn't know exactly where. It's...

Nats acquire utilityman Matt Reynolds from Mets

Nats acquire utilityman Matt Reynolds from Mets
The Nationals acquired utilityman Matt Reynolds from the Mets for cash considerations tonight, adding another versatile major leaguer to their mix of bench options this spring. Reynolds, 27, had been designated for assignment last week after New York signed free agent Todd Frazier. Reynolds will probably face long odds to make the Nationals' opening day roster, but he has one remaining minor league option and thus should stick in the organization one way or the other. Reynolds fills the 40-man...