District 34 podcast: Nats still recovering during final playoff push

District 34 podcast: Nats still recovering during final playoff push
Long time no see, Nationals fans! Sorry for the hiatus over the past couple of weeks, but have no fear, we are finally back with a new episode of the District 34 podcast! The Nationals' magic number to clinch the National League East is down to 10, so they can theoretically clinch their second straight division title within a week. That's quite an accomplishment considering how many injuries this ballclub has endured throughout the season. Byron Kerr and I run through the injury list and...

No rust for Madson in first two games back from injury

No rust for Madson in first two games back from injury
MIAMI - Ryan Madson was pretty sure all would be fine when he returned from a sprained right index finger over the weekend, but even the veteran reliever wasn't totally positive that would be the case. How confident was he that he'd be back to normal? "Uh, probably 80 percent," he said. "Once I got out there and threw in a game in Milwaukee, I felt a lot better. Things got better throughout that inning. And then today warming up, I felt a lot better than the first time. I feel like I'm...

Fedde shut down for rest of '17 with flexor strain in forearm

Fedde shut down for rest of '17 with flexor strain in forearm
MIAMI - The injury Erick Fedde is now dealing with - a strained flexor mass in his forearm - wouldn't typically require a long layoff. But given the situation both the Nationals and Fedde are in right now, at this stage of the season, the club has decided to not to send its top pitching prospect back to the mound until next spring. "We shut him down in an abundance of caution," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "He's a guy that would've probably missed a start or two. But he's been...

While Harper recovers, Nationals struggling to score runs

While Harper recovers, Nationals struggling to score runs
MILWAUKEE - Even when they lost a host of key regulars to injury over the season's first 4 1/2 months, the Nationals managed to make up for it, thanks to consistent production from the heart of their lineup and the performances of several replacements. And so, on Aug. 12 this team ranked second in the majors with 5.44 runs per game, second with a .275 batting average and third with a .340 on-base percentage. But in the 22 games they've played since, the Nationals have seen their offensive...

Scherzer guts out five innings with bruised calf

Scherzer guts out five innings with bruised calf
MILWAUKEE - Max Scherzer knew he couldn't run. His labored attempt to get out of the batter's box after tapping a groundball in the top of the fifth confirmed that. But Scherzer also knew he could pitch without suffering any ill effects from the comebacker that struck him in the left calf way back in the bottom of the first tonight at Miller Park. Perhaps nobody on the Nationals roster is as honest and forthcoming with the staff about his physical state than the ace right-hander, so Dusty...

Wieters sits for second straight game with sore knee (Nats win 3-2)

Wieters sits for second straight game with sore knee (Nats win 3-2)
MILWAUKEE - Matt Wieters is out of the Nationals lineup for the second straight night, still dealing with a sore left knee that was injured late in Thursday's game at Miller Park. Wieters took a foul ball off that knee during the Nats' 6-2 loss to the Brewers in their series opener, and though he finished the game he has been held out of the lineup each of the last two nights. Manager Dusty Baker doesn't expect his veteran catcher to miss any more time. "He's doing OK," Baker said. "He...

Madson good to go after receiving electric treatment in Phoenix

Madson good to go after receiving electric treatment in Phoenix
MILWAUKEE - When Ryan Madson had to cut short a warmup session in the bullpen at Nationals Park three weeks ago, he assumed something was wrong with his index finger. Why else would that digit hurt when he tried to throw, not only that night in D.C. but four days later in San Diego when he tried to play catch? Madson wound up on the disabled list with a sprained finger. Turns out, though, the issue was in his lower forearm, just above the wrist. Madson discovered this thanks to a visit to his...

Roark "back to form" and resembling his 2016 self

Roark "back to form" and resembling his 2016 self
MILWAUKEE - Yes, they still need to win games over the season's final month so they can wrap up their fourth division title in six years. But at this point, given their comfortable standing, the Nationals can afford to look not just at each individual game, but at the larger picture, especially for those players who are trying to best position themselves to be in peak form come October. In that regard, few members of the roster are positioning themselves better right than Tanner...

Madson, Romero return from DL to bolster Nationals bullpen

Madson, Romero return from DL to bolster Nationals bullpen
MILWAUKEE - Ryan Madson is back on the Nationals active roster. Whether he's ready to pitch quite yet remains to be seen. Madson was one of five players added to the roster before tonight's game against the Brewers, joining fellow pitchers Enny Romero, Austin Adams and Erick Fedde, plus catcher Raudy Read as the club's first round of September call-ups. All technically are eligible to appear in games immediately, but Madson may need a bit more time. Out since Aug. 14 with a sprained index...

Trying to steal signs on the Nats? That is a difficult task

Trying to steal signs on the Nats? That is a difficult task
Manager Dusty Baker calls it the toughest coaching job on the field. It's the job of the third base coach. That coach gets criticized every time a runner is thrown out at the plate and rarely gets the credit when another runner scores. Some fans have taken to calling Nationals third base coach Bobby Henley, "Send-ley," due to his aggressive style. Henley has never worried about that and actually loves to be aggressive with his runners to force the defense to have to make the play. The job is...

Turner shows off bat and legs with dynamic game in Milwaukee

Turner shows off bat and legs with dynamic game in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE - The Nationals' 6-3 loss to the Brewers on Thursday night really featured only one significant, positive development. But it was a big one. Trea Turner, in his third game back from the disabled list, put together a very Trea Turner kind of game. He went 3-for-4. He beat out a bunt single. He stretched another single into a double, then stole third base. He tripled off the right field wall. And he scored a pair of runs, almost entirely without the assistance of anyone else. "Oh...

Baker may not stick with Werth as No. 2 hitter (Nats lose 6-3)

Baker may not stick with Werth as No. 2 hitter (Nats lose 6-3)
MILWAUKEE - The lineup Dusty Baker scribbled out for tonight's series opener against the Brewers was as close as he's going to get to his best-case lineup for the postseason. The only regular missing: Bryce Harper, who may or may not be back to 100 percent in time for October. Notable, then, was Baker's choice for No. 2 hitter: Jayson Werth. With Trea Turner back atop the lineup as well, the Nationals have their 1-2 combo together again. Baker may not, however, stick with that pairing down...

First September call-ups coming; Scherzer to start Saturday

First September call-ups coming; Scherzer to start Saturday
MILWAUKEE - Major league clubs typically use their allotment of September call-ups to get a first look at prospects who may figure into the long-term plan, ensure depth at positions where it's needed and reward a few guys for great minor league seasons. The Nationals find themselves in a different situation as the calendar flips from August to September. They'll be expanding their roster not so much to get a look at young guys but to restock their roster with players who have been hurt and to...

Nationals continue to crush rivals' hopes

Nationals continue to crush rivals' hopes
In mid-June, the Nationals traveled to New York to face off against the Mets for a four-game series. The Nats were 39-26 and the Mets were 30-34. Sports talk radio in New York was buzzing for a possible four-game Mets sweep. If New York could pull it off, the Nats' lead would be only 4 1/2 games. The Nats went into New York and promptly won three of the four games. With each long road trip or matchup against playoff contending teams, the Nats were subjected to criticism like, "This will be...

Wins and losses more important to Stanton than home run record

Wins and losses more important to Stanton than home run record
September is here, and already the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton feels as if he's been asked a "zillion'' times about his surge in home runs. So if Stanton winds up with more than Roger Maris' 61 home runs and fewer than Barry Bonds' 73, does he own baseball's single-season home run record? Stanton paused and stared into his locker before answering the question at Nationals Park on Wednesday. He said earlier this month that he thinks Maris' 61 is the legitimate record, but he...

Strasburg homers and fires complete-game shutout in 4-0 win

Strasburg homers and fires complete-game shutout in 4-0 win
Right-hander Stephen Strasburg fired a complete-game shutout for the Nationals against the Marlins in their 4-0 series-sweeping clincher Wednesday at Nats Park. It was the Nats' first series sweep of the Marlins since 2014. Strasburg connected for the first run of the game with a solo homer, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. Strasburg was efficient: 110 pitches over nine innings works out to 12.2 per frame. Strasburg was also getting guys out with all of his pitches: fastball, curveball,...

Not yet cleared to run, Harper facing tight time frame to return

Not yet cleared to run, Harper facing tight time frame to return
It's been 18 days since Bryce Harper slipped on first base, hurtled awkwardly to the ground and had to be helped back to the dugout at Nationals Park. Eighteen days later, Harper is up and about, walking without a particularly noticeable limp. Which doesn't mean the star outfielder is anywhere close to returning to the Nationals lineup. Harper revealed today that in addition to the significant bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, he also strained his calf during the Aug. 12 play...

Scherzer moved to start Sunday, six-man rotation possible

Scherzer moved to start Sunday, six-man rotation possible
Manager Dusty Baker announced that the Nationals will push back right-hander Max Scherzer to Sunday's game in Milwaukee. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez will start Thursday's opener against the Brewers, while right-hander Tanner Roark gets the nod for Friday night. Baker said there is nothing physically wrong with Scherzer, but he wants to spread out his start, and for that matter other starters, for the rest of the regular season as they get ready for October. "It's late in the year," Baker...

Jackson uses veteran savvy to wiggle out of early jam

Jackson uses veteran savvy to wiggle out of early jam
Right-hander Edwin Jackson allowed a Giancarlo Stanton home run and three walks in the first inning but managed to get out of the jam. The veteran ended up lasting six innings and giving up three runs as the Nationals came back to win 8-3. Walking the bases loaded could have ruined the game, but Jackson held on. With two outs, Tomás Telis lined out to Trea Turner, who dove to his right and made a diving catch, fresh off a return from a broken right wrist, to end the threat. "That was huge....

With Turner back, Nats lineup enjoys another big night

With Turner back, Nats lineup enjoys another big night
The sight of Jayson Werth in the lineup Monday night elicited plenty of smiles from the rest of the Nationals. The sight of Trea Turner in the lineup tonight elicited plenty more. The sight of Bryce Harper in the lineup - whenever that day comes - will elicit the biggest smiles of them all and leave this first-place club feeling as good about itself as it has all year long. "It's just good to slowly start getting our opening day lineup back," Anthony Rendon said following tonight's 8-3 win...