Harper homers on opening day once again (Nats win in 10)

Harper homers on opening day once again (Nats win in 10)
ATLANTA - Bryce Harper loves opening day. And Bryce Harper loves to face Julio Teheran. And Bryce Harper really loves to make booing Braves fans eat their words. All of which culminated in a perfect storm this afternoon when Harper stepped to the plate for his first at-bat of the season to a raucous welcome from the Turner Field crowd and then promptly launched Teheran's 2-2 slider into the right field bleachers for his first homer of 2016. It was quintessential Harper, savoring the spotlight...

Marty Niland: Five important questions facing the Nationals in 2016

Marty Niland: Five important questions facing the Nationals in 2016
Many Nationals fans are still feeling the sting of disappointment from 2015, when preseason World Series predictions dissolved in a cloud of injuries, disappointing performances and clubhouse dissension. The Nats finished out of the postseason and watched as the National League East rival New York Mets stole their division, playoff and pennant dreams. For all but the most optimistic fans, there are no such lofty dreams this season. With a new manager in Dusty Baker, a revamped bullpen and new...

Revere hoping to "bring the noise" at top of potent Nationals lineup

Revere hoping to "bring the noise" at top of potent Nationals lineup
Center fielder Ben Revere once again gave Nats fans a preview of what he can do Friday night with a triple, a double and two runs scored in his first two at-bats at Nationals Park, albeit in an exhibition game. Revere, 27, is replacing Denard Span, who was solid in center field when he was healthy. Revere should be an outstanding replacement, with the combination of speed and contact ability to set the table for the Nationals' formidable hitters. "I'll do anything I can to get on base for...

Nats get quick lead over Twins (Nats win 4-3)

Nats get quick lead over Twins (Nats win 4-3)
The Nationals kept their hot hitting from spring training in Florida going with a quick start against the Twins in an exhibition game Friday night at Nationals Park. Ben Revere led off against Twins right-hander Phil Hughes with a triple into the right field corner. Last season, the Nationals were dead last in the major leagues with only 13 triples. After Anthony Rendon walked, Bryce Harper's sacrifice fly made it 1-0. Ryan Zimmerman followed with an RBI double to make it 2-0. Tanner Roark...

With Revere and Murphy, Nats emphasizing contact at the plate

With Revere and Murphy, Nats emphasizing contact at the plate
LAKELAND, Fla. - Dusty Baker, as a ballplayer, was considered something of a slugger for his time. He hit at least 20 home runs six times in his career. He also felt like he struck out too often. Hank Aaron, his Hall of Fame teammate in Atlanta at the start of his career, urged young hitters to shoot for striking out only once every 10 times up. Baker couldn't quite pull that off, ending his career with a strikeout rate of 11.5 percent. Three decades later, Baker will fill out a lineup card as...

Today's Astros-Nationals lineups

Today's Astros-Nationals lineups
VIERA, Fla. - Just as Dusty Baker promised, Ryan Zimmerman is back in the Nationals lineup today as the designated hitter. Assuming he comes through today's assignment with no ill effects from the plantar fasciitis in his left foot, Zimmerman should make his spring debut at first base in the next couple of days. Center fielder Ben Revere, who was struck on the left shoulder by a pitch as he awkwardly swung at it yesterday, is also back in the lineup. The Astros will pitch left-hander Dallas...

Baker on Scherzer's zone, Zimmerman's return and Revere's shoulder

Baker on Scherzer's zone, Zimmerman's return and Revere's shoulder
VIERA, Fla. - Having watched the mastery of Max Scherzer mostly from afar and on television, Nationals manager Dusty Baker is still getting to know his ace. On Sunday, Baker got a lesson in how zoned in the right-hander gets during his starts when he attempted to congratulate him on a strong four-inning effort. "Max looked great. He was sharper today than he was, which you expect and you hope," Baker said. "One thing I learned today is you don't give him five when he comes in the dugout. He...

Bronson Arroyo slated to go three innings vs. Astros (with lineup)

Bronson Arroyo slated to go three innings vs. Astros (with lineup)
VIERA, Fla. - Veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo, who is trying to force his way into the Nationals rotation as a non-roster invitee to spring training, is scheduled to go three innings in tonight's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. Jonathan Papelbon will work the ninth inning. Manager Dusty Baker is giving his regulars another night of game action for this 5 p.m. contest, which will be available on MASN. Ben Revere shifts to left field, with Michael A. Taylor in center. Jayson Werth...

Ben Revere tweaks his swing with a better start in mind

Ben Revere tweaks his swing with a better start in mind
LAKELAND, Fla. - Center fielder Ben Revere is doing just what the Nationals want him to do. Or is he? Two hits in three at-bats in an 11-5 loss to the Tigers on Wednesday lifted his Grapefruit League average to .500. That means he's getting on base. But two of his five hits so far have been for extra bases, including a third-inning double into the right field corner off Justin Verlander. And it's not just dumb early-spring luck that has Revere powering up. He spent the offseason studying...

New-look top of Nats lineup produces in first spring game

New-look top of Nats lineup produces in first spring game
VIERA, Fla. - Daniel Murphy knew he'd be the center of attention today in the Nationals' spring home opener. Not because this was his first game appearance with his new team, but because it just happened to come against his old team. Murphy seemed a bit uncomfortable with all the attention he received, especially from the more than dozen Mets reporters who crowded around him outside the Nats clubhouse after he departed the game. Ultimately, Murphy felt most at ease on the field, especially...

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Viera

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Viera
VIERA, Fla. - There will be far more at stake when the Nationals and Mets for the first time in the regular season in May (and each time through September, perhaps beyond), but any time these two rivals get together on the diamond, it's worth a little extra attention. After the way things played out last year, this has become by far the best current rivalry in the National League East. After a 6-2 victory over the Rays in Port Charlotte yesterday, the Nationals get to host New York in their...

How Dusty Baker plans to keep his regulars fresh

How Dusty Baker plans to keep his regulars fresh
VIERA, Fla. - One of the trickiest tasks for any manager is the fine balancing act of playing his everyday regulars as much as possible while still keeping his bench players fresh. Dusty Baker knows how much that plays a role into a team's success over a full season. And he feels like his five decades in baseball give him the kind of perspective that helps make those tough decisions a little bit easier. "Being a former position player, I know how to run this race," Baker said Sunday. "And...

Which newcomer will have the biggest impact for the Nats in 2016?

Which newcomer will have the biggest impact for the Nats in 2016?
Although he never owned the headlines with a splashy move this offseason, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo significantly altered the complexion of his team's roster. With the new additions, the Nationals should be a more consistent hitting team that fills bases along with a crew of veteran relievers who hopefully can secure leads. So which Nationals newcomer will have the biggest impact in 2016? Daniel Murphy was Rizzo's biggest free agent acquisition this past winter. A 2006 13th-round...

Is a Triple Crown next for Bryce Harper?

Is a Triple Crown next for Bryce Harper?
By now we've thoroughly defined how historic Bryce Harper's record-breaking 2015 season was. But while expected after becoming one of the most hyped prospects the game has ever seen, Harper's year could also be described as a breakthrough. After bursting onto the scene with 22 homers in his rookie season, Harper couldn't exceeded that total as nagging injuries bothered him the following two years. In 2016, he mashed 42 longballs. Harper batted .330 in 2015, a whopping 58 points higher...

If Nats land Yoenis Cespedes, how is Jayson Werth affected?

If Nats land Yoenis Cespedes, how is Jayson Werth affected?
Last season, the National League East seemingly was decided by one player. OK, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the Mets' addition of Yoenis Cespedes minutes before the trade deadline completely changed the complexion of their lineup. New York went from a bottom of the barrel offense to pouring in runs behind Cespedes' violent bat. The Nationals inquired about a trade with the Tigers for Cespedes as well, but the slugger ended up with the Mets. New York evened up the division with a...

Yo! Are the Nationals serious about Cespedes?

Yo! Are the Nationals serious about Cespedes?
When the Nationals made a serious run at Jason Heyward in December - reportedly offering a $200 million deal to the three-time Gold Glove Award winner - there was clear indication they intended on upgrading the outfield in 2016. There was some chatter about a potential trade with Colorado for Carlos Gonzalez, but not much connected the Nationals to this winter's other two major free agent outfielders, Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes. It seemed even less likely the Nationals would get involved...

Nationals reportedly have interest in Yoenis Cespedes

Nationals reportedly have interest in Yoenis Cespedes
The one-year anniversary of the Nationals shocking the baseball world by signing right-hander Max Scherzer to blockbuster seven-year, $210 million contract just passed. At the time, the deal had many scratching their heads, with the Nats already boasting the National League's top rotation from top to bottom. Fast-forward to this January and rumors of another free agent signing has left some baffled. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Nationals showed interest in Justin Upton before...

Deep and healthy, the Nationals outfield appears set

Deep and healthy, the Nationals outfield appears set
Multiple injuries had the Nationals experimenting in the outfield most of last season. Danny Espinosa and Clint Robinson, both career infielders, logged several innings in the outfield for the first time in the majors. Michael A. Taylor was expected to receive more seasoning in the minors. Instead, he ended up as the opening day center fielder and leadoff hitter, and appeared in 138 games. Even Reed Johnson and Matt den Dekker, who were acquired in the final days of spring training, made the...

Mike Rizzo: "I think we've balanced our lineup"

Mike Rizzo: "I think we've balanced our lineup"
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo finalized salaries for all of his arbitration-eligible players heading into the 2016 season. So the roster is set? Not so fast. Last year's Nationals headed to Viera, Fla., seemingly with a full roster. Yet, because of widespread injuries, non-roster invitees Clint Robinson and Dan Uggla made the team along with late spring training additions Matt den Dekker and Reed Johnson. Once again, Rizzo appears to have established his 25-man roster before the...

Danny Espinosa, Ben Revere are the last to avoid arbitration with Nationals

Danny Espinosa, Ben Revere are the last to avoid arbitration with Nationals
The Nationals have agreed to terms with all of their arbitration-eligible players. Infielder Danny Espinosa and outfielder Ben Revere were the final two to settle with the Nationals, both deals coming together late this afternoon. Espinosa, 28, will make $2.875 million while Revere gets $6.25 million in 2016, according to baseball insider Jon Heyman. After combing to hit just .200/.255/.326 from 2013-2014, Espinosa's offense experienced a resurgence in 2015. He slashed .240/.311/.409 with 13...