Nationals manager Davey Martinez will start Yan Gomes in Game 2 to catch right-hander Max Scherzer. This will allow Kurt Suzuki more time to rehab as he gets better from an elbow injury that has prevented him from starting since September 5. Raudy Read is starting game one for Joe Ross. "Yan will catch the second game," Martinez said. "I had a long conversation with Suzuki and Paul (Lessard) last night after the game. He's about 70-75 percent right now. And he's progressing so I'd rather...

First baseman Matt Adams has missed two games after tweaking his left shoulder/triceps region Thursday night in Minnesota. But manager Davey Martinez's update Sunday revealed a more serious injury. "Matt Adams has an AC sprain," Martinez said. "So, he's going to be day-to-day. I talked to him yesterday. He's just a bit sore. He's getting some medication. So hopefully in the next few days we'll see where he's at." Adams has been a crucial power bat off the bench and filled in for long...

Catcher Tres Barrera joined the Nationals this past week after the elbow injury to Kurt Suzuki. Barrera, the former University of Texas standout, was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, which is less than one mile from the United States/Mexico border along the Rio Grande. The 24-year-old is a 2016 draft selection for the Nationals and played 101 games for Double-A Harrisburg this season. He was pleasantly surprised to get the call to join the Nats. "I couldn't believe it," Barrera said. "It's every...

ATLANTA - Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki said he felt "some tinglings, zings" in his elbow on a throw to second base in Saturday's game against the Braves. Suzuki was removed from the game and replaced by Raudy Read. Suzuki underwent an MRI, but results have not been released. "I just felt something in my elbow," Suzuki said. "One of the things that happens, I guess, in baseball. Some tingling, zings. But just a little sore today. Should be good. "It's always concerning. Doctors saw me...

ATLANTA - The Nationals had high hopes when they arrived in Georgia on Wednesday night, hoping to win at least three of four against the Braves and put some heat on the top spot in the National League East with a couple of dozen games left on the schedule. Three days and three losses later, the Nats turn to ace Max Scherzer to prevent a series sweep. Scherzer certainly is very familiar with the Braves hitters. This will be his 21st start against Atlanta, and he sports a career 9-7 mark with a...

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals made their first cuts of camp this morning, and there were no real surprises among the seven players trimmed from the spring roster. Catcher Raudy Read was optioned to Triple-A Fresno, while right-hander James Bourque was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg. Five other players were reassigned to minor league camp: right-handers Ronald Peña and Wil Crowe, first baseman-outfielder José Marmolejos, catcher Tres Barrera and outfielder Chuck Taylor. "Just go down and...

The Nationals have announced 18 non-roster invitees to spring training, including two of their top infield prospects and a pitcher trying to return to the majors for the first time 2015 after a myriad of injuries. The two infield prospects - Luis Garcia, 18, and Carter Kieboom, 21 - both figure to get a lot of playing time around the diamond at various positions. Garcia, who has played shortstop, second base and third base, slashed .298/.335/.406 with seven homers and 46 RBIs for low Single-A...

Don't look now, but the Nationals' entrant in the Arizona Fall League is rolling. The Salt River Rafters have won four games in a row and have a three-game lead atop the East Division. The Rafters are 15-8, tied for the best record in the AFL with the Peoria Javelinas. There are only seven games remaining until the league championship on Saturday, Nov. 17. Salt River faces Peoria tonight in a showdown of the two best teams, then the Rafters have a day off Thursday. Leading the way is the...

Salt River Rafters (9-7) AFL Week Three (4-2) First place, East Division Oct. 22: Salt River 8, Surprise 5 Luis Reyes (1-1) continues his hot streak of pitching in the AFL as he earned his first win, going 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with one walk and one strikeout. He surrendered two homers, but left the game with a 4-3 lead. The game was a showcase of Nationals pitching prospects. Ben Braymer followed Reyes and allowed one run on two hits, notching four outs. Taylor...

Arizona Fall League Week in Review Week 1 Oct. 9-15 Salt River Rafters (2-2) Second place, East Division Left-hander Ben Braymer (1-0) got the AFL season off to a good start with a win as Salt River defeated Surprise 10-8. He recorded four outs, allowing one unearned run on one hit with one walk and one strikeout. Left-hander Taylor Guilbeau then came in and notched three outs, including one strikeout. He allowed no runs, no walks and no hits. Shortstop Carter Kieboom went 0-for-3, but drew a...

It has been a solid start to the season for manager Tripp Keister's high Single-A Potomac Nationals. They have demonstrated power in their offense and have done a nice job pitching. On Monday, they were rewarded with six players on the Carolina League Northern Division All-Star team. Right-handers Tyler Mapes, Sterling Sharp and Wil Crowe, catcher Tres Barrera, shortstop Carter Kieboom and third baseman Jake Noll were named to the Carolina League All-Star Game. The six players selected are the...

The Nationals have depth at the catcher spot on the early camp roster, headlined by Jakson Reetz, a 2014 third-round draft pick out of Hickman, Neb. Reetz had seven hits in his last five games at low Single-A Hagerstown to wrap up 2016. He hit .281 in his final 10 games. Reetz caught 88 games for the Suns after notching 79 games combined in 2014 and 2015. "Jakson looks good," said Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba. "Jakson is another of those players that had a great...

The Nationals selected nine Division I college baseball players out of their first 11 picks in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. In that lot, eight were position players, including two catchers. In a rare move for the Nationals, only three of their top 11 selections were pitchers. But when asked about that development, Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo was not surprised. "The players that we took certainly fell to us where we felt we were very, very...