Nathan on unconditional release: "I get it"

Nathan on unconditional release: "I get it"
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Joe Nathan and Matt Albers did just about everything within their power to convince the Nationals to make them part of their opening day roster. In the end, the club simply didn't have space for either veteran in its deep bullpen. The Nationals granted both Nathan and Albers their unconditional releases this morning, beating a noon Eastern time deadline that required the pitchers either to be told they had made the club or else be paid a $100,000 retention bonus to...

On González's struggle, Albers' zeros and Snyder's demotion

On González's struggle, Albers' zeros and Snyder's demotion
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Given how well he has pitched all spring, Gio González was entitled to one rough day. That's how Dusty Baker viewed the left-hander's uncharacteristically poor start this afternoon, in which he was roughed up by the Astros for five runs in five innings. "It's hard to be good all the time in the spring," the Nationals manager said. "That was the first bad one he had." González entered the day sporting a sparkling 1.10 ERA in four previous Grapefruit League...

Nats add veteran relievers Nathan, Albers on minor league deals

Nats add veteran relievers Nathan, Albers on minor league deals
The Nationals, in their ongoing search for a new closer, have signed the man who ranks eighth all-time with 377 saves. Whether Joe Nathan, at 42, still has enough left in his twice-reconstructed elbow to save another major league game remains to be seen, but the club is willing to take a low-risk chance on him. In signing both Nathan and veteran right-hander Matt Albers to minor league contracts with invitations to big league camp, the Nationals have added a pair of experienced bullpen...