Joe Dillon, who earned praise throughout the Nationals organization for his work the last two seasons as assistant hitting coach, has been hired by the Phillies for their lead hitting coach position. Dillon joins manager Joe Girardi's new staff in Philadelphia, where he'll be reunited with Bryce Harper and get the first opportunity of his career to be a team's lead major league hitting coach. The 44-year-old joined the Nationals' big league staff in 2018 as Kevin Long's assistant and...

It is a big deal the Nationals were able to quickly get Matt Adams back in the fold for 2019 and with a mutual option for 2020. Adams, 30, appeared in 94 games for the Nats last season before being traded to the Cardinals. He was important to the Nats when first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was on the disabled list. Adams started 57 games, hit18 homers and contributed 48 RBIs. Known for his power, Adams also takes pride in his defense. In 2016, his range factor of 10.29 was the best in the majors for...

A groin strain almost derailed a promising 2017 campaign for Nationals outfielder Brian Goodwin. His last game was Aug. 13, but was able to return to make the postseason roster. "It was just a battle," Goodwin said at Nationals Winterfest. "It was devastating the time that it happened. Clearly, I wasn't in the best mood, but I think it pushed me to do what I had to do to get back for my guys and my team and for myself, because I knew how important that postseason potentially was." And it...

The Nationals have hired Derek Lilliquist as pitching coach, Tim Bogar as first base coach and Joe Dillon as assistant hitting coach, adding two more experienced members to new manager Dave Martinez's staff plus another first-timer with ties to the organization. In announcing the additions of Lilliquist, Bogar and Dillon along with the previously reported hiring of Chip Hale (bench coach), Bob Henley (third base coach) and Kevin Long (hitting coach), the Nationals have filled all but one...

VIERA, Fla. - Less than 10 days ago, Tony Gwynn Jr. was sitting in his home in San Diego without a job. The eight-year veteran was coming off his worst season in the majors on and off the field. "If I'm being honest, around Feb. 1 is when you start to get like, 'What is going on? There's nothing happening,' " Gwynn said. "But ultimately, my faith was that I would be somewhere. I didn't know where I would be, what the opportunity would be, but I knew I would be somewhere. But we're...