Nationals trim roster with four cuts

Nationals trim roster with four cuts
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals made another round of cuts today, reassigning left-hander Braulio Lara, catcher Spencer Kieboom, and infielders Neftali Soto and Grant Green to minor league camp. None of those moves will come as a shock to anyone, but the cuts do move the Nationals closer to making the tougher decisions that are looming in the near future. Their spring roster is now down to 43. Lara made seven appearances, giving up five runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He'll likely...

Could Nats stand pat and field competitive 25-man roster?

Could Nats stand pat and field competitive 25-man roster?
It has now been 41 days since the Nationals last added or subtracted a player from their 40-man roster. (It was the Danny Espinosa trade to the Angels, for those wondering.) That's an awfully prolonged period of radio silence for any major league club, but the Nats aren't alone in this regard. It's been an unusually slow-developing offseason across baseball, with a bunch of prominent free agents still unemployed even though we're closing in on three weeks til pitchers and catchers report...

Dusty Baker explains final NLDS roster decisions

Dusty Baker explains final NLDS roster decisions
The Nationals' decision to carry only seven relievers with a six-man bench for the National League Division Series boiled down their opponent for this first round of the playoffs and the fact that several of their position players are still dealing with nagging ailments. Manager Dusty Baker said the Dodgers' left-handed-laden lineup necessitated the carrying of three lefties in his NLDS bullpen. And with Daniel Murphy (buttocks), Bryce Harper (thumb), Jayson Werth (back), Ryan Zimmerman...

Nats go with seven relievers for NLDS (Roark starting Game 2)

Nats go with seven relievers for NLDS (Roark starting Game 2)
The Nationals' finalized roster for the National League Division Series includes only seven relievers but six bench players, not to mention several notable names left out altogether. For their best-of-five series with the Dodgers, the Nationals opted to carry only 11 total pitchers. That leaves a seven-man bullpen of closer Mark Melancon; right-handers Shawn Kelley, Blake Treinen and Reynaldo Lopez; and left-handers Marc Rzepczynski, Sammy Solis and Oliver Perez. Among those left out of the...