Prospect Milone delivers best outing of spring

Prospect Milone delivers best outing of spring
Nationals left-handed pitcher Tom Milone has had a couple of outings since our last update, but he felt Tuesday was his best start of spring training. Milone went four innings, allowing three hits, no runs, no walks and striking out two batters. "It went good," Milone said. "It felt the best I have felt so far in camp. I had command on every pitch. My pitches were low in the zone. Everything felt pretty good." Milone says his off speed pitches were also hitting their spots "I had...

Source: Harper could be back on field within a week

Source: Harper could be back on field within a week
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo reported Tuesday on the status of Nationals outfield prospect Bryce Harper, who injured his ankle Monday running the bases. The diagnosis was a "medium" left ankle sprain. The return date was unclear and Harper has been listed as day-to-day. A minor league official with knowledge of the situation is more specific about Harper's possible return, saying the Nats' top prospect is, "doing okay and should be back in four or five days." That update...

Prospect Peacock adds two-seamer; updates progress

Prospect Peacock adds two-seamer; updates progress
Nationals right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock put in a lot of work in his most recent outing at accelerated camp as he tinkers with a new pitch. "It went alright," Peacock said. "The first guy I faced fouled off like 10 pitches. I am still working on some stuff." Peacock threw three innings this time, and expects to go four innings with a maximum 60 pitches on Wednesday. He'll be worked up to five innings and 75 pitches, which is standard for the starters. The Miami, Fla. native has...

Washington Nationals Join Civic, Community Organizations to Build Miracle Field

Washington Nationals Join Civic, Community Organizations to Build Miracle Field
The Washington Nationals, in association with the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, today announced their partnership with the Miracle League of Montgomery County, the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)'s Montgomery Parks Department, and the Montgomery County Recreation Department to construct the Washington Nationals Miracle Field in Germantown, Maryland. "This...

Nationals invite fans to opening day weekend

Nationals invite fans to opening day weekend
The Washington Nationals invite fans back to Nationals Park to celebrate baseball's return to the Nation's Capital during Opening Weekend on April 2 and 3 as the team faces the Atlanta Braves. Tickets for Opening Day on March 31 at 1:05pm are in very short supply and anticipated to sell out fast. However, fans who are unable to attend the first game of 2011 will still have the opportunity to help usher in the new season of Nationals baseball. There is no better way to celebrate the start of...

Washington Nationals to honor 2011 DC Sports Hall of Fame inductees on opening day

Washington Nationals to honor 2011 DC Sports Hall of Fame inductees on opening day
The Washington Nationals will honor the six newest members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame prior to the team's 2011 season opener against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, March 31 at Nationals Park. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the legendary sports club, whose 2011 inductees include: - James Brown, Host of CBS Sports "The NFL Today" - Dominique Dawes, Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast - Brian Mitchell, Former Washington Redskins Running Back - Willie Stewart, Former Anacostia...

Despite demotion, Kimball remains determined to reach Bigs this year

Despite demotion, Kimball remains determined to reach Bigs this year
Nationals right-handed reliever Cole Kimball was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse Thursday, but didn't let the move change the way he approaches each day. Some had written Kimball took the news hard, but 15 minutes after finding out he'd been sent down, he was back on the field stretching, following his normal time schedule at camp. Despite the move to the minor league camp, the numbers Kimball put up at the major league level were very impressive. Kimball appeared in six games, throwing eight...

Focus at minor league camp on pitching fundamentals

Focus at minor league camp on pitching fundamentals
Minor league camp is in full swing as they get into a daily game schedule similar to what the players will see in early April. The pitchers have focused on fundamentals from day one, but there is a precise term and action the coaching staff wants to see the guys do with every pitch. On the mound, the coaching staff wants the guys to concentrate on keeping the ball down in the zone. They do that by getting their pitchers to focus on the term "hollow of the knee." "All we really care about...

Nationals trim Spring Training roster to 38

Nationals trim Spring Training roster to 38
The Washington Nationals today optioned right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball, first baseman Chris Marrero and outfielder Corey Brown to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and re-assigned catcher Derek Norris to Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 38 players in their big league camp.

Nats "cautiously optimistic" as Meyers recovers from foot injury

Nats "cautiously optimistic" as Meyers recovers from foot injury
Nationals pitching prospect Brad Meyers, who was limited to just six starts last season due to a foot injury, continues to steadily work his way back each day of spring training in Viera, Fla. "He has responded very well to treatment," Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said. "He is taking regular repetitions. We are cautiously optimistic." Harris said the right-handed Meyers is recovering from a foot problem similar to what Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia went...

Prospects Leon and Freitas catching attention in minor league camp

Prospects Leon and Freitas catching attention in minor league camp
Nationals catching prospects Sandy Leon and David Freitas are getting their work in at the accelerated camp after completing very solid 2010 seasons, Leon with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns and Freitas with the Short-Season Single-A Vermont Lake Monsters. Leon made notable progress with Hagerstown in 2010, playing in 98 games and accruing 325 at-bats. Leon hit .249 with 10 doubles, six triples a pair of homers with 36 RBIs. Last week, his name came up when I spoke to Sammy Solis and he talked...

Guest bloggers joining Nationals Buzz

Guest bloggers joining Nationals Buzz
After a week of visiting with familiar faces in NatsTown South, I remembered how close-knit this community of baseball lovers can be at times. It certainly feels like a family - or to reach back to a favorite sitcom theme song, "a place where everybody knows your name." As you probably know, fans in this market are lucky to have so many quality fan-generated blogs covering this team and providing unique perspectives in sophisticated ways. You may already be reading the dozens of popular,...

Nats "Power Pack" deal now available for 2011

Nats "Power Pack" deal now available for 2011
The Washington Nationals today announced the new Power Pack all-inclusive season ticket deal, a new option that gives fans the opportunity to purchase one game ticket, one combo meal and one parking pass all season-long for one low price. Worth more than $50 in total value per game, full season plans start as low as $25 per seat, which saves up to 50 percent off the face value of the entire package. Fans can choose between three affordable packages in the following seating locations: ...

Prospect Ray "opening up eyes" with solid start

Prospect Ray "opening up eyes" with solid start
Nationals pitching prospect Robbie Ray had a solid first outing last week, tossing two innings, allowing no hits and no runs. The left-hander threw a light bullpen Saturday and expects to pitch again Tuesday, possibly extending to three innings. Ray was pleased with his first chance in a game. He worked in his three main pitches: fastball, changeup and slider. "I was feeling pretty good," the 19-year old Ray said. "My fastball was locating well, from 90 to 93 miles per hour. The fastball...

Bryce Harper among four cuts by Nationals

Bryce Harper among four cuts by Nationals
The Washington Nationals today optioned left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and outfielder Bryce Harper to Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League and re-assigned right-handed pitchers Ryan Mattheus and Tim Wood to minor league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 42 players in their big league camp.

Cole fights through early jam in first outing, pleased with results

Cole fights through early jam in first outing, pleased with results
Nationals prospect A.J. Cole pitched for the first time at accelerated camp in a game versus Italy this week. The right-hander went one inning, allowing two walks, no hits and no runs on 18 pitches. Cole said it took him a few pitches to get going, but then he got into a rhythm. "At first, it was a little slow but it got a little bit better," Cole said. "I was the third pitcher in the seventh inning against Italy. They were pretty good hitters, they made contact every time. I got a ground...

Baseball Prospectus sees "good things on the horizon" for Nats

Baseball Prospectus sees "good things on the horizon" for Nats
The Nationals hope this is the season they make their way out of the cellar of the National League East and get some momentum going for what promises to be an enticing future as top prospects and No. 1 picks make their way to Nats Park. What do some of the experts think? Can the Nats make a pre-emptive strike in the NL East before Stephen Strasburg returns from injury and Bryce Harper arrives? The 2011 Baseball Prospectus is available now (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., $24.95), and I got the...

Nationals trim roster to 46

Nationals trim roster to 46
The Washington Nationals today optioned right-handed pitchers Adam Carr and Garrett Mock to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and re-assigned right-handed pitchers Luis Atilano, J.D. Martin and Josh Wilkie, catchers Carlos Maldonado and Jhonatan Solano, infielders Michael Aubrey and Kevin Barker, and outfielders Jeff Frazier and Jonathan Van Every to minor-league camp. Additionally, the Nationals released right-handed pitcher Cla Meredith. Nationals Executive Vice President of...

Getting to know new MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo

Getting to know new MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo
VIERA, Fla. - Nationals fans, please give a warm welcome to MASN's newest color analyst, F.P. Santangelo. The energetic young broadcaster shared his thoughts in this Q&A with Nats Buzz at Space Coast Stadium on Thursday afternoon. What are your thoughts about the Nationals heading into this season? "Well, I just think they are playing really good baseball. I don't really want to get caught up in wins and losses in spring training, but I think when you are coming off of a tough year, it's...

Riggleman concerned with safety of children in stands

Riggleman concerned with safety of children in stands
VIERA, Fla. - In the wake of the news that Atlanta Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar was struck by a foul ball and hospitalized on Wednesday, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman reflected Thursday on the many hazards of baseball. Several baseball-related accidents in recent years have created a greater awareness about the safety hazards - for both team personnel and fans sitting close to the action. "You're not going to a game thinking about a foul ball," Riggleman said. "It almost...