All the ballplayers whose careers ended in D.C.

All the ballplayers whose careers ended in D.C.
A total of 370 players have appeared in at least one game for the Nationals since 2005. Some of them were longtime stalwarts who are forever associated fondly with this franchise. Some were only here for a year or two as part of successful careers with multiple clubs. And some of them played for a while in Washington and then never played in the big leagues again. Actually, more than some of them fit that last description. Would you believe at least 127 of the 370 players in Nationals history...

Time off often the enemy of momentum for playoff teams

Time off often the enemy of momentum for playoff teams
After sweeping the Cardinals to win the National League pennant, the Nationals are a team hot to play in the World Series. There's only one problem: The Nationals aren't sure if they going to start the World Series in Houston or New York. While the Astros and Yankees play for the American League pennant, the Nationals return to spring training mode in the quiet of Nationals Park, hoping to maintain the sharpness that helped them sweep the Cardinals in the National League Championship...

New book spotlights the game's all-time best closers: Where does Rafael Soriano stack up?

New book spotlights the game's all-time best closers: Where does Rafael Soriano stack up?
Baseball can sometimes be broken down to an individual sport, especially for the closers. If a batter makes an out, he still has eight other guys that can make a play, his team still has two more outs. A closer has defenders behind him, but it's ultimately one pitcher versus one hitter. One pitch can end the game. One pitch can also turn into a blown save. In a new book, "Closer: Major League Players Reveal The Inside Pitch On Saving The Game" (Running Press - 2013, $15.00), Kevin Neary...

Storen confirms he's on track for All-Star break return

Storen confirms he's on track for All-Star break return
Right-hander Drew Storen is still on track to return by the All-Star break. Storen has been recovering from elbow surgery to remove a bone chip. He said he would actually like to get back into a few games while the team is at home, right before the break in mid-July, maybe against the Giants or Rockies from July 3-8. Storen said he is still in the building process to get back to being game-ready. He said the adrenaline level for a bullpen session is different from a game in spring training...

Lidge designated for assignment, Mattheus activated

Lidge designated for assignment, Mattheus activated
Coming off a lengthy game yesterday and with Brad Lidge's ERA at 9.64, the Nationals have decided to make a move. The 35-year-old Lidge has been designated for assignment, while reliever Ryan Mattheus has been reinstated from the 15-day DL. "The 14-inning game last night forced us to make a bullpen roster move," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "Brad wasn't performing very well. He was very disappointed, and Mattheus is ready to come off the rehab assignment. We thought this was the...

Another rough outing for Lidge

Another rough outing for Lidge
Bryce Harper declined to talk to reporters after his 0-for-7, five-strikeout performance. It was a rough day for the rookie, almost certainly the roughest of his brief major league career. It was also a rough day for reliever Brad Lidge, who has been stuck with two really poor stat lines so far in this series. Last night, Lidge allowed three runs over one-third of an inning after giving up one hit and two walks (one of which was intentional). He was on the mound when the game got away from...

Things don't break Nats' way in crucial seventh inning

Things don't break Nats' way in crucial seventh inning
If you didn't catch tonight's game, you might check the box score and think the Yankees demolished the Nationals in the opener of their much-anticipated three-game series. The Nats don't feel that was the case. "It wasn't like we got crushed tonight," shortstop Ian Desmond said. "The score probably says so, but we were in the game. Just like I said, a couple mistakes." Some of those mistakes came early, when the Nats left two runners on in the first and then only managed one run...

Clippard officially named closer, Lidge to set up

Clippard officially named closer, Lidge to set up
BOSTON - File this in the "duh department," but Tyler Clippard is the Nationals' closer. That's been perfectly clear considering the way manager Davey Johnson has handled his team's save opportunities since he announced he was going to a closer-by-committee two-and-a-half weeks ago. The Nationals have had five save chances, and all have gone to Clippard. But today, for the first time, Johnson actually referred to Clippard as his closer. The Nats' skipper also said that Brad Lidge, who...

Lidge activated, Rodriguez lands on DL (Renda, Miller agree to terms)

Lidge activated, Rodriguez lands on DL (Renda, Miller agree to terms)
Davey Johnson indicated in his pregame session with reporters that in addition to Tyler Moore being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, another roster move might be on the way. That move was announced less than 20 minutes prior to today's first pitch. Reliever Brad Lidge has been reinstated from the disabled list, while fellow reliever Henry Rodriguez has landed on the 15-day DL with a strained right finger. Lidge missed the Nationals' last 38 games due to an abdominal injury which required...

The art of facing a knuckleballer, plus DeRosa, Lidge, Mattheus updates

The art of facing a knuckleballer, plus DeRosa, Lidge, Mattheus updates
The next wave of injured Nationals appears to be close to returning. Manager Davey Johnson said today that infielder Mark DeRosa, who has been sidelined since April 29 with a strained left oblique, has been cleared to go on a rehab assignment, likely at Single-A Potomac. The discomfort in the oblique is still lingering, but DeRosa's going to try to play through it. "I'm going to let him go out, and for me, as much as experience as he's got, if he can go through a couple days without...

Tough bullpen decisions to come shortly (plus Maldonado injury note)

Tough bullpen decisions to come shortly (plus Maldonado injury note)
With the addition of Michael Gonzalez a couple days ago, the Nationals now have four lefties in their bullpen. It might not be that way for long, however. Both Brad Lidge and Ryan Mattheus are closing in on returns to the Nats, and when the righties are ready to come back, the team will need to make some tough decisions on how they want to structure their bullpen. Lidge is pitching in his second rehab game for Single-A Potomac tonight as he works back from hernia surgery, while Mattheus, who...

Your latest Drew Storen update (plus Lidge, DeRosa tidbits)

Your latest Drew Storen update (plus Lidge, DeRosa tidbits)
With the Nationals back in town for another few days before shipping up to Boston, reliever Drew Storen has rejoined the team to check in with team doctors and continue his throwing program. And believe me when I tell you, he's thrilled to be back in D.C. and away from the heat he was dealing with while rehabbing at the Nats' extended spring training complex in Viera, Fla. "I can't explain to you (how hot it is)," Storen said. "Actually, I can. Go to the steam room, and go play catch in...

Ramos will need two knee surgeries (plus Lidge, Mattheus updates)

Ramos will need two knee surgeries (plus Lidge, Mattheus updates)
The damage to Wilson Ramos' shredded right knee is so severe, it turns out he'll need two surgeries to fully repair it. Ramos recently underwent surgery on the meniscus in the knee, but doctors could not repair the torn ACL at this time. Manager Davey Johnson said doctors will need to wait to operate on the catcher's ACL. Johnson said he fully expects Ramos to be ready for spring training next year, but there's no chance of the 24-year-old returning this season. There is some positive...

Nats feel when they hit their stride, "it's going to be a lot of fun"

Nats feel when they hit their stride, "it's going to be a lot of fun"
We're all plenty aware how much injuries have ravaged this Nationals team this season. But bring yourself back to April 4, the day before opening day, for a second. If I had told you back then that the Nationals would be without cleanup hitter Michael Morse and closer Drew Storen for 50 games (and counting, for Storen), face of the franchise Ryan Zimmerman for 17 days, right fielder Jayson Werth for the last three weeks and the bulk of the summer, catcher Wilson Ramos for the last two weeks...

Mattheus, DeRosa both closing in on a return

Mattheus, DeRosa both closing in on a return
You already know all the details regarding outfielder Michael Morse and his return from what he said today was an injury to the teres major tendon around his right shoulder. Quickly, here are a handful of additional injury updates: Catcher Jesus Flores was in the lineup today and was set to play for the first time since suffering a hamstring strain Sunday. Flores said he could've played on Wednesday, but the Nats held him out just to be sure. Tonight's rain delay will give him an additional...

Morse continues to make progress, plus updates on Lidge, Storen, DeRosa

Morse continues to make progress, plus updates on Lidge, Storen, DeRosa
PHILADELPHIA - Nationals players aren't the only ones dealing with injuries. Their manager is, too. Davey Johnson has been battling a toe injury which originally came about back in his football playing days, but has cropped up recently. He's going to see a toe specialist in Baltimore during the Nats' off-day, but scoffed when asked if there's a chance of him missing any games. "I'm not missing no games," Johnson said. "I'm missing my day off and playing golf and hustling some of the...

Harper excited for Philly debut, plus Lidge and Morse updates

Harper excited for Philly debut, plus Lidge and Morse updates
PHILADELPHIA - There's a slight drizzle coming down here at Citizens Bank Park, but it looks like we'll likely avoid any heavy stuff and should be able to get tonight's game in. Unless I just jinxed it, and the sky suddenly opens up, which will probably happen. Bryce Harper will get his first taste of Philadelphia tonight, and the Nationals' outfielder says he's legitimately excited to play in this city and this ballpark over the next few days. "It's going to be a great experience,"...

Strasburg appears OK, plus other notes from Philly

Strasburg appears OK, plus other notes from Philly
PHILADELPHIA - This is my first time in Citizens Bank Park in a working capacity, and man, this place is nice. The press box is pretty spiffy and the park just has a nice intimate feel to it. I'll stop complimenting a division rival, I promise. For anyone concerned about Stephen Strasburg after yesterday's health scare, you can probably stop worrying. Strasburg was out on the field a bit ago running around playing Ultimate Frisbee with a bunch of the Nationals pitchers. He appeared to be...

A plethora of injury updates on Morse, Werth, Storen, Lidge, DeRosa

A plethora of injury updates on Morse, Werth, Storen, Lidge, DeRosa
I've got a ton of injury updates to pass along today, so I'll jump right into it. According to manager Davey Johnson, left fielder Michael Morse threw from about 50-60 feet without any problem today, and Morse said he plans to take some dry swings tomorrow, meaning he won't actually make contact with a ball. If Morse keeps progressing in his rehab from a strained left lat, the plan is for him to go on a rehab assignment and then rejoin the Nationals when they open interleague play on June...

Lidge to DL with abdominal injury, Perry recalled

Lidge to DL with abdominal injury, Perry recalled
Ryan Zimmerman isn't the only Nationals player heading to the disabled list. The Nats announced that they've placed right-handed pitcher Brad Lidge on the 15-day DL with an abdominal wall strain and recalled right-hander Ryan Perry from Triple-A Syracuse. Lidge, who has spent quite a bit of time on the disabled list over the course of his career, finds himself sidelined yet again. He battled a bout of vertigo earlier this season, and now The 35-year-old has two saves and two blown saves...