Rivero recalled, Grace optioned; Nats trade for Walters

Rivero recalled, Grace optioned; Nats trade for Walters
The Nationals recalled left-hander Felipe Rivero this afternoon and optioned lefty Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse. Grace was unable to record an out in the seventh inning yesterday while allowing four runs on three hits and two walks. The 26-year-old had pitched well for most of his 17 appearances since making his major league debut on April 22. Grace went 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings. Rivero also made his debut in the big leagues this season, giving up a run on three hits with two...

Scarce offense and bullpen woes leave Nats swept in Cincinnati

Scarce offense and bullpen woes leave Nats swept in Cincinnati
After sprinting through May with baseball's best record, the Nationals stumbled to the finish line, succumbing to a three-game sweep in today's 8-2 loss to the Reds. The normally explosive Nats offense managed just two hits against Reds rookie right-hander Michael Lorenzen - and one of them came from starter Tanner Roark. "A little blip," Nationals manager Matt Williams said to reporters after the loss. "We got two out of three in Chicago and came here and things didn't go our way, but we...

Grace and Treinen big finds for Nats bullpen, P-Nats break out with 11 runs

Grace and Treinen big finds for Nats bullpen, P-Nats break out with 11 runs
Left-hander Matt Grace has been a find for the Nationals this season. The UCLA product has been left in to face lefties and righties recently and has not allowed a run in three straight appearances. Grace is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA. In his last two outings, he battled and worked around walks to a dangerous hitter in the Yankees lineup, Mark Teixeira. Tuesday night it was four sliders that Teixeira didn't swing at. Wednesday, he got behind on three sinkers, 3-0. A fastball got it to 3-1, but then...

Nationals bullpen manages to outduel Yankees bullpen in extra-inning win

Nationals bullpen manages to outduel Yankees bullpen in extra-inning win
A big key to the Yankees' nice start to the season has been their bullpen, especially right-hander Dellin Betances and left-hander Andrew Miller. In 36 combined appearances, the duo accumulated a 0.00 ERA. Miller arrived with 13 saves already this season, but the veteran hurler allowed the game-ending, two-run shot to Ryan Zimmerman in the bottom of the 10th as the Nationals stunned the Yankees, 8-6. In what was a secondary theme of the win, the Nationals bullpen ultimately outdueled the...

Quiet bats lead Nationals to three-game skid

Quiet bats lead Nationals to three-game skid
MIAMI - After a terrible start, the Nats offense seemed to be coming around during the season's second week. But that appears to be just a tease as the futile bats have returned in a three-game losing streak. The Nationals are just 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position over the past two games and have scored a lowly three runs. Marlins starter Mat Latos brought a 10.24 ERA into tonight's start, and the Nats had to claw and scrap for two runs on six hits. They finally got to Latos in the...

Matt Grace's "whirlwind" day ends with scoreless frame in major league debut

Matt Grace's "whirlwind" day ends with scoreless frame in major league debut
Early in the day, left-handed reliever Matt Grace was suited up and ready to go for Triple-A Syracuse in its game versus Rochester. Then he got the call that he was headed to D.C. to join the Nationals because left-hander Felipe Rivero had to be placed on the disabled list due to a gastrointestinal issue. Grace then hurried to catch a flight to D.C., only to be delayed before taking off from Syracuse. "Kind of a whirlwind. I was in Syracuse, game's about to start," Grace said. "Kind of...

Lefty Matt Grace recalled, Felipe Rivero heads to DL

Lefty Matt Grace recalled, Felipe Rivero heads to DL
The Nationals have recalled lefty Matt Grace from Triple-A Syracuse and placed left-hander Felipe Rivero on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 18, with a gastrointentinal bleed. Grace, 26, is set to become the third Nats reliever to make his major league debut this season, following right-hander Rafael Martin and Rivero. He was one of the final cuts this spring after not allowing a run in 7 1/3 innings. "He's got a good sinker, good changeup and working on a slider, but the ball...

Who's left in the Nationals bullpen?

Who's left in the Nationals bullpen?
VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals lost a valuable member of their bullpen yesterday when left-hander Jerry Blevins was traded to the Mets for outfield Matt den Dekker. Blevins was shaky for most of last season, as well as this spring, but nobody can argue what he provided for the Nats down the stretch a year ago - and especially in the National League Division Series. Blevins inherited runners all over the bases and was unhittable, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings in critical situations during the...

Gonzalez and Roark lead Nats in scoreless tie, Werth still aiming for opening day

Gonzalez and Roark lead Nats in scoreless tie, Werth still aiming for opening day
VIERA, Fla. - Pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark both turned out their best performances of the spring in today's unique 10-inning 0-0 tie between the Nationals and Tigers. Gonzalez worked the count in his favor throughout his four innings, striking out five while allowing only two hits and one walk. "I think the most I was happy with was how my arm feels," said Gonzalez. "It feels fantastic. I'm so excited about it. Just talking about it from my last start to now, I was just trying to...

Williams reveals probable pitchers for first two games

Williams reveals probable pitchers for first two games
VIERA, Fla. - Just one more day of practice left before the Mets visit Space Coast Stadium for the Nats' Grapefruit League opener. Nationals manager Matt Williams revealed yesterday that Max Scherzer will take the mound first on Thursday followed by Tanner Roark, each throwing two innings or around 45 pitches. This morning, we found out the other pitchers who could also pitch against the Mets: right-handers Blake Treinen, Heath Bell, Aaron Barrett, Eric Fornataro and Rafael Martin, and...

Williams on Span and Werth's recoveries, Treinen as a starter and apple turnovers

Williams on Span and Werth's recoveries, Treinen as a starter and apple turnovers
VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams would likely be thrilled if center fielder Denard Span could replicate his 2014 season. Span batted .302 with 39 doubles and 31 stolen bases, and his 184 hits tied Philadelphia's Ben Revere for most in the National League. The hit total was a career high for Span, while his batting average was the second-best mark of his seven years in the majors. Span, who arrived at Space Coast Stadium for the spring training this morning, underwent surgery in...

Nationals add four to 40-man roster, release Mattheus; Pirates claim Florimon

Nationals add four to 40-man roster, release Mattheus; Pirates claim Florimon
The Nationals this afternoon selected the contracts of right-hander A.J. Cole, left-hander Matt Grace, infielder Wilmer Difo and outfielder Brian Goodwin. By adding these prospects to the 40-man roster, the Nationals protect them from the Rule 5 draft, which will be held Dec. 11 in San Diego at the Winter Meetings. To make room for those four players, right-hander Ryan Mattheus was placed on outright assignment and elected free agency, while infielder Pedro Florimon was claimed off waivers by...

Time to finalize the 40-man

Time to finalize the 40-man
Over the last week, we've seen the Nationals make a couple of moves that cleared up space on the team's 40-man roster. Left-hander Matt Purke was released, and then subsequently re-signed to a minor league contract. That series of moves opened up a spot on the 40-man. On Tuesday, catcher Jhonatan Solano was also released, leaving the Nats with 38 players on their 40-man roster. And with today being the reserves deadline - the last chance for teams to add minor leaguers that are eligible for...

Renda nets base hit in Fall Stars Game, Mesa ready for second half

Renda nets base hit in Fall Stars Game, Mesa ready for second half
The Arizona Fall League East Division All-Stars downed the West All-Stars 6-2 in Saturday's AFL Fall Stars Game. Dalton Pompey and Roman Quinn combined for three hits and four RBIs in the win. Nationals second base prospect Tony Renda went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout. It was certainly an honor for Renda to be involved in this All-Star game and again helps his profile. It also is important for Renda to continue to get these at-bats against top competition. He started the AFL with...

Update on Mesa Solar Sox in Arizona Fall League

Update on Mesa Solar Sox in Arizona Fall League
Nationals prospects continue to work in the Arizona Fall League. Low Single-A Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson is an extra coach with the Mesa Solar Sox and provided an update on each Nationals player playing for the team. Second baseman Tony Renda: "He's looking great. He's hit so many balls right on the nose right at people, I feel so bad for him. We all laugh. How many balls can you hit so hard right at somebody and have nothing to show for it like ever? I'm waiting for balls to fall...

Rundown of Nationals' invitees to Arizona Fall League

Rundown of Nationals' invitees to Arizona Fall League
Here is a rundown of the Arizona Fall League invitees from the Nationals. Included on the team is one coach and one trainer. They will play for the Mesa Solar Sox and the first game is Oct. 7. The list includes two catchers, two left-handers, two right-handers and one second baseman. 2B Tony Renda, high Single-A Potomac - Renda has fought through injury this season. If not, he likely would have garnered Carolina League MVP honors. He has all the tools and is a solid leader. He really knows...

Benincasa, Grace promotions reveal strong Nationals system

Benincasa, Grace promotions reveal strong Nationals system
A couple of more pitchers who made moves this season deserve praise as we look ahead to 2014 and setting up the organizational rosters. Robert Benincasa and Matt Grace both were promoted this season and showed promise with their efficiency and consistency. One a right-hander and the other a southpaw, both spent time under high Single-A Potomac manager Brian Daubach in 2013. Daubach said Benincasa did not miss a beat after his promotion from low Single-A Hagerstown when he arrived with the...