Marlins get to Roark early again (Nationals lose 6-1)

Marlins get to Roark early again (Nationals lose 6-1)
MIAMI - Something about the sight of Marlins batters in the first inning doesn't seem to agree with Tanner Roark, who for the second time in this brief season dug the Nationals into an early hole against Miami. The Marlins scored three runs in the first off Roark, then added another in the second to take a 4-0 lead for ace Jose Fernandez in tonight's opener of a four-game series at Marlins Park. This wasn't the first time Roark has dealt with first-inning struggles against the Marlins. This...

Nats hit the ground running again, roll past Phillies 8-1

Nats hit the ground running again, roll past Phillies 8-1
PHILADELPHIA - If you are going to watch the Nationals and Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, here is some advice: Make sure you are in your seats for first pitch. The Nationals jumped on the Phillies starter again in the first inning, scoring three runs on a RBI triple by Daniel Murphy, a run-scoring single from Ryan Zimmerman and a sacrifice fly by Bryce Harper. On Friday night, the Nationals scored five runs in the first inning e route to a 9-1 victory. Max Scherzer allowed a walk and...

Friday morning Q&A from D.C.

Friday morning Q&A from D.C.
This has been quite a way for the Nationals to open the season. Not only are they 7-1, matching both the franchise and D.C. records for the first eight games of a baseball season, but they've done it in impressive fashion. Bryce Harper has three homers already, including his 100th career blast yesterday (on a grand slam, to boot). Daniel Murphy is hitting .480 and slugging .880. The starting rotation has collectively given up just 13 earned runs in eight games. The bullpen sports a collective...

Slugfest breaks out in D.C. (Nats win 6-4)

Slugfest breaks out in D.C. (Nats win 6-4)
When Max Scherzer retired the Braves' first two batters of the evening, you couldn't help but wonder if the right-hander might be setting the tone for a dominant night on the mound. Those thoughts very quickly disappeared amid a flurry of hits by Atlanta off the veteran ace. Scherzer was roughed up early by the Braves, surrendering two runs in the top of the first and then two more in the top of the second. His only saving grace: His Nationals teammates wore their hitting shoes tonight as...

After wild first inning, rain hits home opener (Nats lose 6-4)

After wild first inning, rain hits home opener (Nats lose 6-4)
The Nationals and Marlins took the field at 4:05 p.m. knowing they had a window of clear weather to begin today's game and probably get several innings in the books before the expected rain returned to the area. Turns out both lineups were just too darn productive out of the chute to get more than an inning and a half completed before the first delay of the afternoon. Both the Marlins and Nationals scored three runs in the first inning, turning the home opener into a slugfest. Miami got to...

Game 3 lineups: Marlins at Nats

Game 3 lineups: Marlins at Nats
And for the first time in 2016 (exhibition games excluded), hello from Nationals Park! The home opener has arrived at last, though this could end up being a long day of waiting around for a game that may or may not be played. I don't know any more than all of you do, but my trusty weather app is showing dry skies until about 6 p.m. So maybe we'll be alright after all. Once they do play, it's Tanner Roark on the mound for the Nationals against the fearsome Giancarlo Stanton and the rest of...

2016 MLB predictions

2016 MLB predictions
The time has arrived at last: It's opening day for Major League Baseball! OK, so the Nationals (like most clubs) don't open until Monday, when they face the Braves in Atlanta. But for the first time, there are three MLB games on the Sunday slate (Cardinals-Pirates, Blue Jays-Rays, Mets-Royals) so the season does officially get underway today. Which means it's time to make some predictions. What follows are purely my own thoughts. For those who have been reading me over the years and are...

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter (Arroyo scratched from start)

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter (Arroyo scratched from start)
JUPITER, Fla. - Hello from Roger Dean Stadium, where the Nationals seem to play every other day in March. They're back today to face the Marlins, with several regulars having made the drive down from Viera. That includes Ryan Zimmerman, who today makes his spring debut at first base. Zimmerman served as designated hitter twice earlier in the week and showed no ill effects of the plantar fasciitis that plagued him last season, so he's good to play in the field today for the first time. Bronson...

Wilson Ramos returns to D.C. for LASIK surgery

Wilson Ramos returns to D.C. for LASIK surgery
VIERA, Fla. - Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos left camp this morning and returned to Washington, D.C., for LASIK eye surgery in an attempt to improve his vision. Ramos didn't suffer from any injury or ailment, manager Dusty Baker said. The problem simply was discovered during the annual eye exam all players are given as part of their spring training physical. "They just discovered it," Baker said. "That's the reason why they didn't do it earlier, when you do the exams and all that stuff....

A re-introduction to the Nats ... and me

A re-introduction to the Nats ... and me
When last we saw them assembled on a baseball field, the Nationals were managed by Matt Williams. Ian Desmond was their shortstop. Jordan Zimmermann was their most-consistent pitcher over a period of five years. Drew Storen was a key part of their bullpen. When next we see them assembled on a baseball field, none of that will be true. Williams was fired less than 24 hours after the season finale, ultimately replaced by Dusty Baker (after a brief fling with Bud Black went awry). Desmond and...

A healthy Stephen Strasburg isn't focused on contract year

A healthy Stephen Strasburg isn't focused on contract year
Stephen Strasburg battled through nagging injuries for much of last season, but emerged from two trips to the disabled list as one of the top pitchers in the majors down the stretch. The Nationals won eight of Strasburg's final 10 starts, while the right-hander went 6-2 with a 1.90 ERA, fanning 92 with just eight walks over 66 1/3 innings. A sprained left ankle in spring training coupled with a benign growth in his back bothered Strasburg's mechanics throughout the season. Speaking today at...

Mike Rizzo on Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Papelbon and new bullpen additions

Mike Rizzo on Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Papelbon and new bullpen additions
The Nationals have attempted adding sexy pieces to their ballclub early this offseason, like their recent hot pursuit of free agent outfielder Jason Heyward. But general manager Mike Rizzo's biggest challenge over the winter months was overhauling a bullpen that stumbled mightily in a pennant race last season. So far, Rizzo has landed three relievers through free agency and two more via trade in the makeover. But the biggest decision facing Rizzo is how to work through the mess at the back...

Welcome to Winterfest!

Welcome to Winterfest!
Welcome to Nationals Winterfest! Judging from the sandals, shorts and short-sleeved shirts I saw on the red army of Nationals fans marching toward the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this morning on the walk from my parking lot (kudos to Parking Panda for the sweet deal), there won't be much of a snow-glazed tint to this weekend's baseball festivities. Highs in the 60s and 70s? Sheesh, feels more like Viera in March. Bring on the Grapefruit League. But we've got important business to...

Does Jason Heyward make sense for Nationals? (deals for Kelley, Perez official)

Does Jason Heyward make sense for Nationals? (deals for Kelley, Perez official)
Could the Nationals land the top free agent for the second straight year? Last January, it was ace Max Scherzer, and now the Nats are hot on the heels of free agent outfielder Jason Heyward, ranked the best among position players on many free agent boards. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com was first to report the Nationals diving deep into the Heyward sweepstakes and also adds that Heyward already has a $200 million offer from one team. The Cubs and Cardinals, Heyward's 2015 club, are also...

Report: Free agent reliever Shawn Kelley heading to Nationals

Report: Free agent reliever Shawn Kelley heading to Nationals
NASHVILLE - It's no secret the Nationals' main focus this offseason is fixing the bullpen issues that haunted them throughout last season, especially down the stretch as they lost hold of first place and quickly descended out of playoff contention. 'Whatever way we can improve the ballclub - whatever way we can improve the bullpen specifically - we'll certainly do," Rizzo said Monday afternoon at the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. According to a...

Notes on Zimmermann, Desmond and Williams

Notes on Zimmermann, Desmond and Williams
The qualifying offers the Nationals extended to right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and shortstop Ian Desmond last Friday expire at 5 p.m. today. Both players are expected to reject the one-year, $15.8 million deal and enter the free agent market for the first time in their careers. Reports from the general managers meetings had the Cubs beginning preliminary discussions with Zimmermann's camp. The Giants, Red Sox and Astros are a few of the other teams reportedly pursuing the 29-year-old. The...

Which Nationals receive qualifying offers before today's deadline?

Which Nationals receive qualifying offers before today's deadline?
The time many Nationals fans have been dreading is nearing. Free agency officially begins after the clock strikes midnight, meaning beloved veterans Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Denard Span, Doug Fister, Matt Thornton and Dan Uggla have the right to sign elsewhere. Before then, the Nationals have until 5 p.m. today to extend a qualifying offer to any of their pending free agent players. The qualifying offer is a one-year deal worth $15.8 million, the average of the top 125 salaries in the...

Bryce Harper chasing batting title, home run crown in finale (with lineups)

Bryce Harper chasing batting title, home run crown in finale (with lineups)
FLUSHING, N.Y. - Bryce Harper takes a shot at a National League batting title and home run crown in this afternoon's season finale at Citi Field. Miami's Dee Gordon and Harper share the batting lead with a .331 average. The Mets throw All-Star right-hander Jacob deGrom against Harper and the Nationals, while Gordon faces Phillies right-hander David Buchanan, who brings a 7.54 ERA in 14 starts into today's game. Harper is also evened up with Colorado's Nolan Arenado at 42 homers. Colorado...

Matt Williams responds to questions on his future

Matt Williams responds to questions on his future
FLUSHING, N.Y. - Matt Williams shied away from responding to yesterday's report from CBSSPORTS.com that he will lose his job as Nationals manager at season's end. "Nobody's spoken to me about anything at this point and frankly it's not a concern of mine right now," Williams said. "We've got a guy that's a potential MVP on our team and we got three games to play. That's what I'm concentrating on. That's what I know right now and as of today, I got a job to do a couple of times and...

Heavy rains force doubleheader for Nats and Mets Saturday

Heavy rains force doubleheader for Nats and Mets Saturday
FLUSHING, N.Y. - Heavy rains in the northeast forced the postponement of tonight's Nationals game against the Mets at Citi Field. The two teams will play a split-admission doubleheader with the first game scheduled for 1:10 p.m. and the nightcap at 7:10 p.m. The Nationals will keep the same pitching order with lefty Gio Gonzalez facing Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard in the afternoon and ace Max Scherzer going against Mets right-hander Matt Harvey in the evening. The games must be played because...