Kimball pitches another shutout inning in rehab stint; Rendon update

Kimball pitches another shutout inning in rehab stint; Rendon update
Nationals right-hander Cole Kimball, recovering from major rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder, made another successful rehab appearance, this time at low Single-A Hagerstown. Kimball started for the Suns, going one inning, allowing one hit and no runs and striking out two batters. The Suns started him because there were weather concerns in Hagerstown, and they wanted to make sure Kimball got his work in. No details on his velocity were immediately available, but Kimball threw a...

Rizzo supports Johnson's decision to have Peralta checked (plus game update)

Rizzo supports Johnson's decision to have Peralta checked (plus game update)
In this entry, I'll have quotes from the Nationals general manager, who responded to quotes from the Rays manager, who responded to quotes from the Nationals manager, who responded to quotes from the Rays manager. GloveGate just keeps on going. Shortly after Rays skipper Joe Maddon came down on the Nationals (again), saying that if he was a player, he'd think twice before signing with the Nats after last night's pine tar incident, Rizzo responded to that take. "I don't agree with it,"...

Nationals' Chris Marrero reports to Triple-A Syracuse

Nationals' Chris Marrero reports to Triple-A Syracuse
It is obvious that Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero is feeling better and his torn hamstring is not giving him any trouble as he quickly moves up the ranks of the franchise's minor league system. A club source confirmed that Marrero has completed his rehab stint with Double-A Harrisburg and has reported to Triple-A Syracuse. Marrero already made quick stops at Single-A Hagerstown and Potomac. He originally tore his hamstring in winter ball, has also battled back from a slight shoulder...

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...

Will Yoder: In Giolito, Nats have another project with potential upside

Will Yoder: In Giolito, Nats have another project with potential upside
They always say you can never have too much pitching. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo must be listening. In the first round last night's First-Year Player Draft, the club selected right-handed hurler Lucas Giolito out of Harvard-Westlake High School in California. That might strike some as odd considering the team currently has seven quality starting pitchers trying to fill five rotation spots. The Nationals' rotation continues to be the best in baseball, their trademark even, but...

Nationals love pure power and Giolito delivers

Nationals love pure power and Giolito delivers
The Washington Nationals' first-round selection, right-hander Lucas Giolito, is another in the long line of big power pitchers that general manager Mike Rizzo and his staff covet. And as it seems every year in early June, Rizzo finds a way to get his man. "We have been on this guy from day one," Rizzo said. "The reward outweighs the risk. He is a power body with a power arm with three plus pitches."

Rizzo on Giolito: "We felt the reward outweighed the risk"

Rizzo on Giolito: "We felt the reward outweighed the risk"
Asked about an hour ago which major leaguer

Rizzo: Nats not necessarily focused on pitching in draft

Rizzo: Nats not necessarily focused on pitching in draft
In each of the last five years, the Nationals have owned a top-10 pick in the First-Year Player Draft. In 2009 and 2010, they held the top overall selection, and everyone and their mother knew that Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper would be the Nats' picks in those two respective drafts. This year, there's much less certainty when it comes to what the Nats might do with their first-round selection. Holding the No. 16 pick, general manager Mike Rizzo and the Nats will rank their top 16...

Nats preparing for a different type of draft

Nats preparing for a different type of draft
The Nationals have an off-day on the schedule today, but for nearly everyone in the organization with the exception of the players, today is no day off. The First-Year Player Draft is tonight, making today Nats general manager Mike Rizzo's favorite day of the year. He calls it his Super Bowl Sunday. This draft is very different for the Nationals than ones in seasons past, largely because, due to their improved record last season, they will no longer be picking within the top 10. It will also...

Callis: Nationals can find a major league gem at No. 16

Callis: Nationals can find a major league gem at No. 16
The Nationals ride into the 2012 First-Year Player Draft with a different feel about their first-round selection. Gone is selecting first two years in a row, or even sixth last year. This season, the team selects at No. 16, and as Nationals assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel Roy Clark told me Sunday, "We want to pick No. 30 every season." It is great to get the top selection, but that also means you were bad the prior season. That is no longer the case for the...

Despite rain-shortened rehab game, Morse "felt great"

Despite rain-shortened rehab game, Morse "felt great"
WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Despite a rain-shortened game, Nationals outfielder Michael Morse was able to get two plate appearances in for high Single-A Potomac Nationals in their game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Wednesday night at Pfitzner Stadium. Morse walked and struck out, finishing 0-for-1 in a pair of opportunities, before the rain arrived and suspended the game in the top of the fifth with two outs. Potomac was leading 3-0. Morse said he "felt great" and it was still a worthwhile...

Nationals not waiting til next year with latest moves

Nationals not waiting til next year with latest moves
The Nationals are signaling with their latest moves that this is the year. In the past, if a starter labored or went into a bad two- or three-start slump, the Nationals would stand pat, not able to make a significant change because they did not have the depth or alternative to solve the problem instantly. But through the work of ownership, general manager Mike Rizzo and the coaching staff, the Nats have shown they will make a move. Phenom Bryce Harper was called up earlier than most people...

Rizzo talks Wang decision and offensive woes (plus game update)

Rizzo talks Wang decision and offensive woes (plus game update)
By now, you know that when Chien-Ming Wang returns from his rehab assignment, he's likely to slide into the Nationals' bullpen, with Ross Detwiler remaining in the rotation. That news was passed along by manager Davey Johnson, but general manager Mike Rizzo also discussed the decision this evening, saying Wang is completely healthy and nearly ready to return. "He's pitching today and we'll see how that works out, Rizzo said. "Probably at first, initially put him in the bullpen because...

Call-up Leon has made huge strides last two seasons

Call-up Leon has made huge strides last two seasons
Due to a torn right ACL sustained by starting catcher Wilson Ramos, another top prospect in the Nationals' system will get a shot at the big leagues earlier than planned. But the Nationals are confident Sandy Leon is ready for this next challenge because of the talent he has shown on the field at Double-A Harrisburg. Assistant general manager Bob Boone and assistant to the general manager Pat Corrales - both former major league catchers - have worked very hard to develop Leon and they have...

Rizzo on Espinosa's struggles: "They are called averages for a reason"

Rizzo on Espinosa's struggles: "They are called averages for a reason"
General manager Mike Rizzo endorsed second baseman Danny Espinosa during the weekly "Mike Rizzo Show with Holden and Danny," Wednesday on sports radio 106.7 The Fan in D.C. Espinosa has slumped to .186 this season after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the series opener at Pittsburgh Tuesday night. The switch-hitting 24-year-old from Santa Ana, Calif., has hit just one home run and is 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position early this season. Rizzo said he speaks with Espinosa on a...

News and notes on Espinosa, Harper, Rizzo and more

News and notes on Espinosa, Harper, Rizzo and more
Manager Davey Johnson said on "Nats Xtra" postgame that he is concerned about Danny Espinosa's struggles at the plate after Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He confirmed, however, that Espinosa will be in his lineup Wednesday. Espinosa went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. His batting average dropped to .186. Although he struck out in his only pinch-hit, Steve Lombardozzi is hitting .300. Lombardozzi has played third base this season with Ryan Zimmerman out with an injury, but...

Rizzo: prospects Purke and Ray making progress

Rizzo: prospects Purke and Ray making progress
Nationals prospect Rick Hague has returned to high Single-A Potomac after starting the season in extended spring training. Since Hague has been called up to his minor league team, the questions are now focused on the status of left-handers Matt Purke and Robbie Ray. Both hurlers have been in Florida continuing to work at the Nationals' facility. It is not known for sure what the current status is for each pitcher, or what they were focusing on in Florida, but it is clear they needed to build...

Harper could move up in order, Rizzo OK with current roster

Harper could move up in order, Rizzo OK with current roster
Davey Johnson was asked if he's been impressed with how calm Bryce Harper has been in his first few days in the majors. "I wouldn't call him calm. He's energetic," Johnson said, before cracking a smile. "I'm thinking about getting a PRP from him and getting some of that blood in me." Not sure that's exactly how the platelet rich plasma treatment works, but the Nationals skipper's joke drew laughs from the assembled media. Johnson said he isn't looking too far down the road in...

Rizzo says Harper delivering as expected in early returns

Rizzo says Harper delivering as expected in early returns
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo made the decision to call up 19-year-old phenom Bryce Harper on Saturday. After two games, Rizzo said Harper showed exactly what he had shown in the minor leagues, a player that can hit, hit for power and go after every ball in the outfield. Rizzo said Harper's final at-bat was his best of the weekend when he earned a walk off Dodgers right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen. Harper didn't strike out or flail at every pitch. He measured Jansen well and hung...

Ready or not, here he comes

Ready or not, here he comes
Happy Harpmas. Is that what we're going with? Anyone got a better idea for a Bryce Harper-themed holiday name? This is certainly an exciting day in NatsTown, one which will see Stephen Strasburg on the mound and Harper in left field. It's a day Nationals fans (and many baseball fans everywhere) had been waiting for, although it comes a bit earlier than most of us had expected. When the Nationals optioned Harper to Triple-A Syracuse back in spring training, they said part of their rationale...