P-Nats make big comeback for win; Nats struggle with bases loaded

P-Nats make big comeback for win; Nats struggle with bases loaded
The high Single-A Potomac Nationals made the comeback of the day, downing Lynchburg 8-4 in 10 innings. The P-Nats scored three in eighth and four in the ninth, their third straight come-from-behind victory. Telmito Agustin went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Jake Noll, Ian Sagdal and Jakson Reetz each had two hits. James Bourque (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings, allowing no hits with two walks and five strikeouts for the win. * Low Single-A Hagerstown Suns second baseman Branden...

Insider's view on progress of Bryan Harper and Drew Ward

Insider's view on progress of Bryan Harper and Drew Ward
Nationals minor league roving coordinator and former Triple-A Syracuse manager Billy Gardner Jr., was a third baseman in the majors himself, so he has a unique perspective when working with third base prospect Drew Ward. Gardner believes Ward has a chance to make it to the next level. Ward had a very good start to the 2016 campaign at high Single-A Potomac, hitting .278 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs. Last season, Ward played in 121 games at Double-A Harrisburg, hitting .235 with 10 homers and 53...

Scherzer ramps things up, Nats make six more cuts

Scherzer ramps things up, Nats make six more cuts
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Maybe it was the fact they were playing under the lights for the first time this spring. Maybe it was the fact he was stretched out to five innings for the first time. Or maybe it was simply the fact he's Max Scherzer. Whatever the case, the Nationals ace seemed to be even more amped up than usual for tonight's start against the Mets, one in which he posted five zeros, allowed one hit, struck out nine and strutted around the mound more than once. Scherzer may not be...

Simplifying windup and timing, Roark hopes for better results

Simplifying windup and timing, Roark hopes for better results
JUPITER, Fla. - In his quest to correct what ailed him in 2017 and recapture the form that made him one of baseball's most effective starters prior to that, Tanner Roark has a simple plan: Simplify. Simplify his mechanics. Simplify his timing. Simplify his windup. And simplify his thought process when he's on the mound. "I was just in my head, just thinking too much," Roark said in explaining his struggles last season. "And when you think, you suck." While a line like that might be worthy...

Nats take BP at home before road game, Raburn out again

Nats take BP at home before road game, Raburn out again
JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals had plenty of reasons to want to relocate their spring training headquarters from remote Viera to the more centrally located West Palm Beach, but here's another one: the chance to take batting practice at home before a road game in Jupiter. That's what the Nats did today, keeping everyone back at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches for a full morning workout and BP session before the travel squad and coaching staff boarded buses at 11:45 a.m. and make the quick...

Nats announce minor league invitees, 61 players in camp

Nats announce minor league invitees, 61 players in camp
Sixty-one players in total will report for spring training this week, 21 of them non-roster invitees including several with significant major league experience and several prospects from within their own organization, the Nationals announced today. With pitchers and catchers officially set to report Wednesday, the Nationals finally revealed the full spring roster, which still could expand given the plethora of prominent free agents who have yet to sign. For now, camp will feature a full 40-man...

Could playing with Bryan Harper help solidify Bryce Harper's long-term future with Nats?

Could playing with Bryan Harper help solidify Bryce Harper's long-term future with Nats?
The 2018 campaign is obviously a big season for the Nationals, a team built for the postseason, with outstanding starting pitching, timely hitting and stout defense. But 2018 is also the final season Bryce Harper is under contract with the Nats. The club has been working to secure a long-term deal with one of the elite offensive stars in baseball. One part of the scenario that might help in getting Harper to consider D.C. as his permanent baseball home is the status of his older brother, Bryan...

Abreu and Johansen head list of Nats prospects eligible in Rule 5 draft

Abreu and Johansen head list of Nats prospects eligible in Rule 5 draft
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - This morning the Rule 5 draft will commence, and there are a handful of Nationals prospects that are exposed and eligible to be drafted. Here are the stipulations to be eligible for the Rule 5 draft: "Players first signed at age 18 must be added to 40-man rosters within five seasons or they become eligible to be drafted by other organizations through the Rule 5 process. Players signed at 19 years or older have to be protected within four seasons. Clubs pay $100,000 to...

Voth, Bautista among five players added to Nats' 40-man roster

Voth, Bautista among five players added to Nats' 40-man roster
The Nationals added five players to their 40-man roster this afternoon, in the process protecting outfielder Rafael Bautista, first baseman Jose Marmolejos, catcher Raudy Read, infielder Matt Skole and right-hander Austin Voth from being scooped up by another organization in next month's Rule 5 draft. The additions, which were required to be made before a 5 p.m. EST deadline, leave the Nationals with 36 players officially on their 40-man roster for the moment. (That number will rise to 37 once...

Where the Nats' 40-man roster stands on decision day

Where the Nats' 40-man roster stands on decision day
There's a deadline this afternoon around baseball. It's not one of the major deadlines, like the trade deadline or the qualifying offer deadline. But it's nonetheless a potentially significant one when it comes to organizations keeping their best prospects from getting swooped up by another club. By 5 p.m. EST, all teams must add any players they wish to protect from being selected in the Rule 5 draft to their 40-man roster. What does that mean? A quick primer for those who aren't familiar...

Charlie Fliegel: Nats bullpen is missing effective left-handed specialist

Charlie Fliegel: Nats bullpen is missing effective left-handed specialist
The Nationals bullpen has been overused the last week, thanks to short stints from starting pitchers. However, since the addition of Mark Melancon, most of the title-worthy roles appear to have stabilized in the 'pen. Except one spot seems to be missing, and it's a need they must address. Melancon is, of course, the closer. Shawn Kelley seems to have nabbed the role of setup man. Since the beginning of July, he's only given up four earned runs in 20 appearances, held opponents to a .269...

Solis diagnosed with shoulder inflammation (Nationals win 7-6)

Solis diagnosed with shoulder inflammation (Nationals win 7-6)
ATLANTA - Tests on injured reliever Sammy Solis revealed inflammation in the left-hander's shoulder, the same as the Nationals' initial diagnosis earlier this week when Solis was placed on the disabled list. There is no definitive timetable for Solis' return, but he should be cleared to resume throwing after a brief period of rest, and the Nationals remain hopeful he'll be part of their bullpen for the stretch run. "He has inflammation in his shoulder, which we're not shocked about,"...

Lombardozzi back in Nats system, Harper's brother promoted

Lombardozzi back in Nats system, Harper's brother promoted
Steve Lombardozzi is returning to the Nationals organization, signing a minor league contract after re-establishing himself this season playing independent ball in Waldorf. Lombardozzi will report to Triple-A Syracuse. He's not on the Nationals' 40-man roster. A 19th-round pick in the 2008 draft, Lombardozzi became one of the Nats' top prospects and made his major league debut in September 2011. The Columbia native wound up a key member of the 2012 National League East championship roster,...

A super week for Harper and Williams

A super week for Harper and Williams
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper had a tremendous Super Bowl week. Harper rubbed elbows with some big names in the sports and entertainment world over the weekend and chronicled many of the moments on his Instagram account. Bryan Harper, a Nationals farmhand, accompanied his brother throughout his desert odyssey. Bryce Harper's week in Arizona began at Nationals manager Matt Williams' house for the Big Game, Big Give fundraiser on Saturday night. Williams, who played six years for the...

Bryce Harper's older brother, Bryan, begins season tonight for Hagerstown

Bryce Harper's older brother, Bryan, begins season tonight for Hagerstown
He has got one of the most famous brothers in all of baseball. He is a southpaw looking to make it to the majors. He has played for a national champion. But all the questions come back to his talented younger brother, Bryce. Left-hander Bryan Harper of the Hagerstown Suns says that is all good, because his dream is to someday join his brother with the Nationals. "I will at least have the opportunity to play with him at some point," Bryan said. "That is one driving factor. Obviously,...

Auburn Doubledays release opening day roster

Auburn Doubledays release opening day roster
The short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays have released their 29-man 2012 opening day roster. Most of the team was available Thursday for a workout and their mini-camp will continue through the weekend until they open Monday night at Batavia. Notable pitchers include 2007 Nationals sixth-round pick southpaw Jack McGeary, who is recovering from 2010 elbow surgery, and left-hander Bryan Harper, Bryce's older brother. The roster includes recently signed picks Tony Renda, Brandon Miller and...