Washington Nationals Rumors & News

Desperation forces bullpen makeover

Nats Insider | CSN Washington — USA Today Sports ImagesRyan Mattheus broke his right hand after Sunday's game in San Diego.As if an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of the Giants last night wasn't bad enough, the Nationals now find themselves forced into giving their bullpen a quick makeover just so they can have a few fresh arms for tonight's game in San Francisco.Ryan Mattheus will be placed on the disabled list after breaking his right hand Sunday in San Diego, an injury that didn't occur during the Nationals' 13-4 loss to the Padres but afterward when the right-hander punched his locker in frustration. Mattheus' surprise injury...

Mike Rizzo has not begun talks with Nationals on contract extension

Washington Post — SAN DIEGO — Earlier this season, the Washington Nationals exercised their option to extend General Manager Mike Rizzo’s contract through the 2014 season, a move widely interpreted as a reward for Rizzo’s stewardship of a franchise that ascended from losing 297 games in three seasons to a 2012 division title. Read full article >>    

Ryan Mattheus breaks throwing hand punching a locker, adds to bullpen disarray

Nationals Journal | Washington Post — The disarray in the Nationals’ bullpen reached a bizarre and self-inflicted new height Monday night. After the Nationals’ 8-0 to the Giants, Manager Davey Johnson revealed set-up man Ryan Mattheus had broken his right hand Sunday when he punched his … Continue reading →    

Nationals hopeful Bryce Harper will return Monday against Giants

Washington Post — The Nationals will determine Bryce Harper's status for Monday's series opener in San Francisco tomorrow afternoon, Manager Davey Johnson said. Harper missed the past two games with swelling in his left leg, the most prominent lingering effect from Harper's collision last Monday with the right field wall in Dodger Stadium. Read full article >>    

Nationals shutout for the sixth time this season in loss to Giants

Nationals Watch | Washington Times — Nationals shutout for the sixth time this season in loss to Giants

Game 45: Nats at Giants

Nats Insider | CSN Washington — Associated PressBeautiful AT&T; Park hosts the Nationals for the next three days.What's the best cure for a struggling lineup? How about the return of its best hitter from injury? Bryce Harper is back tonight for the Nationals, having missed the last two games in San Diego over the weekend with a bruised knee (from his collision with the wall in L.A. one week ago). His presence in the No. 3 spot really does make that starting lineup look a lot more formidable, especially with Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche each on a tear at the plate right now.The Nationals might need an offensive explosion t...

Nats desperate for healthy Harper, Werth

Nats Insider | CSN Washington — Associated PressJayson Werth and Bryce Harper haven't both been in the lineup since May 2.There are no shortage of reasons behind the Nationals' offensive struggles right now, but one reason stands above the rest: Injuries to Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth.Sure, Danny Espinosa's .488 OPS, a complete lack of production off the bench and way too many strikeouts aren't helping the cause. But those are secondary factors to the most significant one plaguing the Nationals. Simply put, they need to get their best players healthy and back in the lineup.Only once in their last 18 games have the National...

Nationals vs. Padres: Dan Haren struggles again in 13-4 defeat

Washington Post — SAN DIEGO — At times during their first week out West, the Washington Nationals showed glimpses of shedding their disappointing start to this season. At times during Sunday afternoon, they played as if intent on reversing any positive thrust they had gathered. Their offense showed a pulse, at least, but only after starter Dan Haren tumbled back into his troubling early-season form and their bullpen imploded. Read full article >>    

Nationals vs. Padres: Dan Haren struggles again in 13-4 defeat

Washington Post — SAN DIEGO — At times during their first week out West, the Washington Nationals showed glimpses of shedding their disappointing start to this season. At times during Sunday afternoon’s 13-4 dismantling at the hands of the San Diego Padres, they played as if intent on reversing any positive thrust they had gathered. The Nationals’ offense showed a pulse, at least, but only after starter Dan Haren tumbled back into his troubling, early-season form and before their bullpen imploded. Read full article >>    

Bryce Harper returns, Ross Detwiler on track to make next start

Nationals Journal | Washington Post — Bryce Harper returned to the Nationals’ lineup tonight after missing the previous two contests with swelling in his left knee. Harper tested the knee in the outfield this afternoon and determined he could play on it, although swelling and bruising … Continue reading →    

Nationals-Giants discussion thread: Game 45

Nationals Journal | Washington Post — If you May 20 in the pool for when the Nationals would need a sixth starting pitcher, collect now. Zach Duke will take the mound tonight against Ryan Vogelsong in a meeting of starters with ERAs of 8.40 and 8.06. … Continue reading →    

Jayson Werth could miss an additional two weeks after MRI reveals hamstring strain

Nationals Journal | Washington Post — Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth could spend roughly two more weeks on the disabled list after an MRI exam today revealed a more significant strain in his hamstring than originally thought, Manager Davey Johnson said. “I got kind of an … Continue reading →    

Nationals-Giants lineups: Bryce Harper returns, Danny Espinosa sits

Nationals Journal | Washington Post — Bryce Harper will return to the lineup after he missed the past two days with swelling in his left knee, the most prominent lingering effect of his collision with the Dodger Stadium wall. Danny Espinosa, meantime, will sit in favor … Continue reading →    

Is there hope for the Nationals’ offense?

Nationals Journal | Washington Post — Several units of the Nationals have endured rough patches through the first six weeks of the season, but none more detrimental than the struggles of the offense. As it has been well documented here, the Nationals offense is head-scratchily ineffective. … Continue reading →    

Mike Rizzo: Danny Espinosa is 'the guy we want out there'

Washington Post — The Nationals entered the season with a clear-cut plan at second base. The position belonged to Danny Espinosa, the homegrown, high-ceiling slugger who had held the spot the previous two years. He had slumped often in 2012, and he was playing with a tear in his left rotator cuff, but the Nationals were unflinching: Espinosa was their second baseman. Read full article >>    

• Citizens of Natstown:Game #45 Recap: A Forgettable Evening
• Citizens of Natstown:Series #15 Preview: Nats at Giants
• The Nationals Enquirer:Bryce Harper returns to lineup: "If I bang it up or something it's right back to square one."
• Citizens of Natstown:Danny Espinosa: Inching Towards a Solution
• The Nationals Enquirer:Ryan Mattheus' choice of Spring Training t-shirt for postgame interview was perfect