Still confident as ever, Glover displaying a different demeanor

Still confident as ever, Glover displaying a different demeanor
Koda Glover has never lacked for confidence. Give him the ball - preferably in the ninth inning, with the game on the line - and the right-hander will call on his reserve of firepower to crank the radar gun toward triple digits. But the version of Glover that has assumed ninth-inning duties for the Nationals with three other closers - lefty Sean Doolittle (stress reaction in left foot) and right-handers Kelvin Herrera (right shoulder) and Ryan Madson (lumbar nerve irritation) on the disabled...

Miller, Glover close out 5-4 win to end road trip (updated)

Miller, Glover close out 5-4 win to end road trip (updated)
ST. LOUIS - It wasn't all that long ago that Davey Martinez had no shortage of established late-inning relievers at his disposal when he needed to try to close out a game. There was Sean Doolittle. There was Kelvin Herrera. There was Ryan Madson. There was Brandon Kintzler. When Martinez looked down to that bullpen this evening at Busch Stadium, though, none of those established guys were there. Or, at least not on the active roster. No, when he needed someone to protect a one-run lead against...

Madson goes on DL, Solís sent to Triple-A (Nats down 6-4)

Madson goes on DL, Solís sent to Triple-A (Nats down 6-4)
ST. LOUIS - On the heels of back-to-back bullpen implosions caused both by injury and poor performance, the Nationals brought in two new relievers - Tim Collins and Trevor Gott - for tonight's game against the Cardinals and removed Ryan Madson and Sammy Solís from the active roster. Madson, who turned a 3-0 lead into a 4-3 loss via David Bote's walk-off grand slam Sunday night in Chicago, was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a back injury (the official diagnosis was lumbar nerve...

One strike away, Nats lose another heartbreaker (updated)

One strike away, Nats lose another heartbreaker (updated)
CHICAGO - The Nationals have been in this position too many times this summer. And too many times they've trudged off the field agonizing over a game that somehow got away from them late. If somehow they're going to survive this roller coaster season to keep playing in October, they simply are going to have to flip the script on these games. Where better, then, to start but on a Sunday night at Wrigley Field, with a national television audience watching a classic pitchers' duel and a stellar...

Glover, Suero could ascend into late-inning roles

Glover, Suero could ascend into late-inning roles
CHICAGO - For all the difficulty Sammy Solís and Greg Holland had in the sixth and seventh innings, ultimately costing the Nats the game, Koda Glover and Wander Suero pitched exceptionally well after that. And in doing so may have earned their manager's trust to start pitching in big situations like the ones Solís and Holland failed in at Wrigley Field. After Holland walked in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh, manager Davey Martinez summoned Glover to enter from the bullpen...

Glover relieved to finally be back in majors (Nats lose 8-3)

Glover relieved to finally be back in majors (Nats lose 8-3)
Koda Glover was extraordinarily excited to be in the Nationals clubhouse this afternoon, back on an active big league roster, healthy and available to pitch for the first time in 2018. Given what the high-energy reliever has been through the last two years, can you blame him? "You have no idea. It was way worse than Tommy John, anything like that," he said. "But like I said, trust in the medical staff, and they did an excellent job." Glover, who had Tommy John surgery on his elbow before he...

As Herrera lands on DL, Doolittle fights urge not to rush back

As Herrera lands on DL, Doolittle fights urge not to rush back
Kelvin Herrera is now on the disabled list, and though the Nationals hope his stay won't be long, they also know any time lost to injury right now is a detriment to their chances of catching up in a pennant race that is running out of days. Herrera, who had to depart Tuesday night's game after giving up two runs and three hits in the top of the ninth to the Braves, received results of an MRI this afternoon that showed a rotator cuff impingement in his right shoulder. Manager Davey Martinez...

Game 114 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (Herrera to DL)

Game 114 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (Herrera to DL)
As if the sting of Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to the Braves in the second half of their day-night doubleheader wasn't enough, today the Nationals learned they've now lost Kelvin Herrera to a shoulder injury. Herrera, who had an MRI this morning, has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder impingement. We'll get more details - and, hopefully, an estimated timeline for his return - shortly, but in the meantime the Nationals bullpen has yet another new face: Koda Glover....

Martinez on Harper's homer, Roark on fixing his delivery

Martinez on Harper's homer, Roark on fixing his delivery
MILWAUKEE - Bryce Harper returned from his stomach bug to launch a three-run shot over the right field fence that got out of Miller Park in a hurry in the Nationals' 7-3 win over the Brewers on Wednesday. Manager Davey Martinez was impressed with the blast. "He's actually been pretty good," Martinez said. "He's working some good at-bats. To see him hit that ball, especially on a line, was awesome. Hopefully, he can continue swinging the bat like that. For him, it's just getting balls in...

Martinez motivated to get Zimmerman going

Martinez motivated to get Zimmerman going
MILWAUKEE - Ryan Zimmerman gets his first start tonight since returning from the disabled list. One reason Zimmerman hasn't seen a start yet this week is because of Matt Adams' success against right-handers. The Brewers are going to throw three straight right-handers against the Nationals. But manager Davey Martinez said that might not prevent Zimmerman from getting starts anyway. "We got to get him in the lineup," Martinez said. "We got to get him going. Like I said before when he's hot,...

Koda Glover throws shutout inning for Triple-A Syracuse

Koda Glover throws shutout inning for Triple-A Syracuse
Right-handed reliever Koda Glover had a better outing in his second minor league rehab appearance for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday night. Glover, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, pitched a shutout inning, allowing no hits, no walks and striking out one for the Chiefs against Louisville. It was his fifth rehab appearance overall. This was his best showing since his minor league rehab began on July 7. On July 18, in his first game for Syracuse, Glover allowed one run on three hits. He...

Martinez on Turner, Murphy, Roark, Glover and a beloved coach

Martinez on Turner, Murphy, Roark, Glover and a beloved coach
NEW YORK - First baseman Ryan Zimmerman was running the bases during batting practice again today. He is still on schedule for a rehab assignment early next week, and hopes to be activated on Friday, July 20. The high Single-A Potomac Nationals announced that right-hander Koda Glover will be with them on a rehab assignment for their game Saturday against Frederick. Glover made two appearances with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals July 7 and 10, striking out four, allowing no runs over two...

Robles, Glover begin rehab with GCL Nats (Nats roll 18-4)

Robles, Glover begin rehab with GCL Nats (Nats roll 18-4)
The Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals welcomed outfielder Victor Robles and reliever Koda Glover today. Glover started in their 5-2 loss to the GCL Astros, logging one inning, allowing no hits and no runs, with one walk and two strikeouts. He faced four batters. Robles played center field and went 0-for-2 with one strikeout. The appearances marked the first game for Glover since last June 10. Robles has not played since early April with Triple-A Syracuse. Both players are on the 60-day...

Wieters happy to be back; Glover throwing again

Wieters happy to be back; Glover throwing again
Catcher Matt Wieters (mild left oblique strain) was activated from the disabled list yesterday. Today he is back in the starting lineup. "He's good. He's ready to go," Nationals manager Davey Martinez said. "He's going to play. (Pedro Severino) is here and Sevy is going to get some playing time, too. I'm excited to have Matt back and healthy." With Severino playing so well and Wieters coming off an injury, the question now is, will Martinez split time between the two or will one get...

Martinez updates status of Murphy and Glover

Martinez updates status of Murphy and Glover
The Nationals made roster moves prior to their 3-1 exhibition loss to the Twins Tuesday by moving right-hander Koda Glover (right shoulder tendinitis) to the 60-day disabled list. The team selected the contract of veteran catcher Miguel Montero and placed second baseman Daniel Murphy (microfracture right knee surgery) and right-hander Joaquin Benoit (right forearm strain) on the 10-day disabled list. After the game, manager Davey Martinez detailed the next few weeks for Murphy, confirming the...

Benoit won't open season on active roster (Nats lose 8-3)

Benoit won't open season on active roster (Nats lose 8-3)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals are going to need to tap into their right-handed bullpen depth to open the season. Already down one arm all spring when Koda Glover reported to camp with a sore shoulder, the Nats now acknowledge they won't have veteran Joaquin Benoit for opening day after the 40-year-old was diagnosed with a strained forearm. Benoit, who was signed to a $1 million major league contract one week after camp opened, made three Grapefruit League appearances, most recently...

Rizzo on state of bullpen and S. Romero's return (Nats fall 12-3)

Rizzo on state of bullpen and S. Romero's return (Nats fall 12-3)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Koda Glover hasn't thrown a baseball since reporting to camp with a sore shoulder. Joaquin Benoit, signed the first week of spring training, has a 9.00 ERA. Matt Albers is in Arizona wearing a Brewers uniform. That might all be cause for concern for the Nationals, who don't have any real sure things in their bullpen beyond the three veterans acquired last July in trades. But general manager Mike Rizzo insists he's not looking for more upgrades from outside the...

Zimmerman nearing game at-bats, Martinez says

Zimmerman nearing game at-bats, Martinez says
JUPITER, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman got dressed and headed out to take batting practice this morning in West Palm Beach, still attired in long pants even though most of the rest of the Nationals had switched into shorts and t-shirts, the uniform of the day for their morning workout. Another day passed without Zimmerman in the lineup for a Grapefruit League game - he's played only once, doubling in one of his two at-bats on March 3, and his Grapefruit League average has been stuck on .500 for since...

Glover on shoulder soreness: "I'm not worried. I'll be fine."

Glover on shoulder soreness: "I'm not worried. I'll be fine."
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Though he's dealing with discomfort similar to the ailment that sidelined him for much of the 2017 season, Koda Glover insists he's not worried about the long-term state of his shoulder. "No," the young reliever said during a brief session this morning with reporters in the Nationals clubhouse. "Do I look worried? I'm not worried. I'll be fine. I'm fine." Glover, who missed the final four months of last season with a rotator cuff injury, reported to camp last...

Shoulder soreness preventing Glover from throwing in camp

Shoulder soreness preventing Glover from throwing in camp
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Koda Glover's attempt to make the opening day roster after an injury-plagued 2017 season has already hit a snag. Glover has not thrown since reporting to Nationals camp, informing club officials when he arrived that he had been experiencing shoulder soreness following the bullpen sessions he was throwing on his own at home this winter. The Nationals had Glover undergo an MRI of his shoulder, which was injured much of last season, and found only inflammation. For now,...