Washington Nationals Rumors & News
Stephen Strasburg in Washington -- in April?
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — After the Nationals refigured their pitching schedule to cope with the rain, Stephen Strasburg will still start Sunday against the Cardinals. That keeps him on a potentially interesting pace, one that could have him making a start in Washington even if he begins the year in the minor leagues. Sheinin pointed out to me today that if you extrapolate Strasburg's schedule so he pitches every fifth day, he would need to pitch April 3 - the day the Nationals host the Red Sox at Nationals Park in an end-of-spring exhibition. Pitching him that game would draw an outstanding gate - a weekend day game a...
2 hours agoStephen Strasburg's magic number: 158 innings pitched
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — The question of where Stephen Strasburg will pitch this season has of course been a dominant storyline this spring training, and it seems the most likely outcome will be 15 starts in the minors, a mid-June call-up, and then he's in the majors to stay. But what about how much Strasburg will pitch? Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman discussed the Nationals' policy of trying to protect young pitchers by using a system to limit innings. Their pitches will not exceed 120 percent of the number of innings they threw the previous year, whether that was in college, the majors, or the minors. Last year Str...
7 hours agoThe Nationals' draft plot thickens
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — For a while now, I've harbored a deep suspicion the Nationals would ultimately use their No. 1 overall draft pick this June on someone other than 17-year-old catcher Bryce Harper. It was an educated hunch, based on a few facts: 1. Multiple scouts have told me he had not separated himself from the rest of the elite class of No. 1 contenders, the way Stephen Strasburg did a year ago. 2. Some scouts have said they don't project Harper as a catcher, long-term. 3. Harper is being advised by Scott Boras, and has more negotiating leverage than Strasburg did a year ago, since Harper has the option of ...
7 hours agoNationals-Yankees game canceled
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — The Nationals and Yankees never had a chance today. It was called because of rain at about 9 a.m. before the Yankees even had a chance to arrive in Viera. (The bus had left, I was told, so it must have turned around.) No flyovers are planned. The Nationals aren't quite sure what they're going to do with their pitching and Jim Riggleman and Steve McCatty are meeting to figure it out right now. Jason Marquis and Matt Chico were going to be the day's starting pitchers. Yesterday, scheduled starters John Lannan and Craig Stammen couldn't pitch in a game and they threw simulated games in the bullpe...
9 hours agoA hard rain's a-gonna fall
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — The forecast -- they're calling for flash flood warnings down here -- makes playing baseball today not much more likely than yesterday. If there is a game, it'll be Jason Marquis and Matt Chico on the mound against the Yankees. For today, I'm just going to cut to the links chase. Boz chatted yesterday, and so did Stephen Strasburg. Speaking of Strasburg, there's a left-handed, Cuban version of him throwing bullets in Arizona for the Reds. Before yesterday was rained out, Rick Short had come to take in the game as a scout. After his monster 2009, what's next for Ryan Zimmerman? On the subject o...
11 hours agoEddie Guardado caught by surprise by release
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — In his 17 years of professional baseball, Eddie Guardado had never been released before this morning, when the Washington Nationals included him in their first round of cuts. "They caught him totally, pretty much, by surprise," said Kevin Kohler, Guardado's agent. "I don't think he was expecting it at all." Kohler said Guardado has received calls from several teams interested in his services, either as a pitcher or in a front office or coaching capacity. Guardado plans on mulling his options, including simply staying with his family.
March 11, 2010Stephen Strasburg's spring education
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — In three days, Stephen Strasburg will again get to do his favorite thing: pitch. His Sunday start remains on schedule despite the rain, and it promises to bring significantly less hoopla than his Tuesday debut. Between then and now, Strasburg will fire between 40 and 45 pitches in the bullpen and play long toss each day. This is only educated speculation, but that might actually be the last time we see Strasburg in a major league game this spring training. His next day to pitch would be the 19th, when the Nationals play the Yankees at their place in Tampa. At that point, the Nationals will be ...
March 11, 2010Nationals-Astros game cancelled
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — Not much else to add yet. The game today has been rained out, and it will not be made up. Once we talk to Jim Riggleman and get an idea of any re-worked pitching schedules and such, I'll include it in this post. 12:50: The Nationals aren't going to change anything with their pitching schedule because John Lannan and Craig Stammen, who were both going to throw three or four innings today, will throw simulated games in the cages. So tomorrow will be Jason Marquis and Matt Chico against the Yankees, unless the rain forces another cancellation and the Natonals have to figure all of this out again....
March 11, 2010Eddie Guardado among first Nationals cuts
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — The Nationals trimmed their spring training camp for the first time this morning, giving pitchers Shawn Estes and Eddie Guardado their outright release and reassigning pitchers Victor Garate, Logan Kensing, Joel Peralta and Ryan Speier, catcher Derek Norris and outfielder Jerry Owens to minor league. The Nationals reduced their roster to 53 players, and by letting go six pitchers they will be able to more closely examine the pitchers contending for the final spots in the bullpen and the starting rotation. "It's that time where you got to start getting the numbers down to a more manageable numb...
March 11, 2010Today's lineup vs. Astros
Nationals Journal | Washington Post — If the rain here lets up and allows the Nationals to face the Astros, here's the lineup they'll use: Nationals 1. Nyjer Morgan, CF 2. Roger Bernadina, RF 3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B 4. Adam Dunn, 1B 5. Josh Willingham, LF 6. Adam Kennedy, 2B 7. Elijah Dukes, DH 8. Jamie Burke, C 9. Alberto Gonzalez, SS -- John Lannan, SP Scheduled pitchers: Jesse English Doug Slaten Ron Villone Mike Venafro Craig Stammen Tyler Clippard
March 11, 2010Next game vs New York Yankees on Fri, Mar 12 Postponed
Opponent news and rumors snapshot:
- Random Thoughts From Rainy Florida Sweeney Murti Yankees Blog | WFAN
- Eiland: No frontrunner in fifth starter race Blogging the Bombers | New York Daily News
- Your Yankees comments: Together Burnett and Posada work the late shift Newark Star-Ledger
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- Despite rain, Hanson gets his work in Atlanta Braves with David O'Brien | Atlanta Journal-Constitution Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – Tommy Hanson didn’t make a start Friday on his day to pitch. He didn’t even get to pitch in a game, in fact. But it wasn’t a lost day for the right-hander, who threw four simulated innings against young Braves hitters in the covered batting cages at Champion Stadium. “66 pitches, seven punchouts in four innings, one hit and one walk,” manager Bobby Cox reported. “He looked great. I watched him. I don’t know who they gave the hit to; I think they just made that one up.” Hanson was scheduled to start Friday against the Pira...
- Jurrjens sharp in delayed spring debut Atlanta Braves with David O'Brien | Atlanta Journal-Constitution Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – It had been a frustrating early spring for Jair Jurrjens, but his mood brightened on a soggy afternoon after he finally pitched, and pitched well. Jurrjens worked a sharp two innings in his first start of spring training Friday against Pittsburgh, retiring six of seven batters in a game rain-delayed three times and called after three innings . “I wanted to get out there to see how the shoulder feels, and just be in a live game,” said Jurrjens, who had been slowed for the first weeks of camp by inflammation in his pitching shoulder. “It feels awesome. ...
- Neither Gaby Sanchez nor Logan Morrison is ahead in race for first-base job Palm Beach Post A little more than a week into spring competition, manager Fredi Gonzalez said there's no clear front-runner for the first base job, despite the disparity in statistics.
- Greg Olson makes pitch for John Smoltz to join Twins Atlanta Journal-Constitution Will John Smoltz be closing games for the Minnesota Twins, the team that beat the Braves, and the longtime Brave righthander, in a grueling Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.
- Slumping McLouth says it’s matter of timing Atlanta Braves with David O'Brien | Atlanta Journal-Constitution Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – The good news: Braves center fielder Nate McLouth is seeing the ball great with new contact lenses. The bad news: He’s not hitting it great. He was 1-for-16 with six strikeouts before a bunt single in the first inning Friday in a game that was called after three innings and three rain delays. McLouth said he wasn’t concerned about a slump so early. “I’m still working on my timing, still working on things,” he said. “It just hasn’t come together yet. I’m only 15 or 20 [at-bats] deep, and if it was in the middle of the seas...
- Sanchez ahead of Morrison in Florida Marlins first-base battle Miami Herald If slumping Logan Morrison doesn't pick up the pace at the plate, he'll come out on the short end in his battle with Gaby Sanchez for the starting job at first base.
- Terry signs with Colts Ravens Central | Baltimore Sun Free-agent offensive tackle Adam Terry, a disappointing second-round pick by the Ravens, has signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Terry wasn't tendered a contract by the Ravens last month, which made him a free agent. The second of two second-round picks by the Ravens in 2005 (linebacker Dan Cody was the other), Terry never lived up to expectations because of injuries and mild-manner attitude. He played in 48 games with the Ravens, starting 18. He was sidelined all of last season after injuring his knee in training camp.
- Will first-round bye hurt Maryland? Tracking the Terps | Baltimore Sun Tonight's game against Georgia Tech at the Greensboro Coliseum marks the first time Maryland has been the more rested team going into the ACC quarterfinals since the league expanded. In other words, it's the first time the Terps came into the ACC tournament with a bye. You'd think that would give Maryland a decided advantage, especially after the stretch the Terps endured to close the regular season. But after watching the games here this afternoon, and having seen what happened at other tournaments around the country this week, I'm not sure it will be an advantage at all. Duke beat Vi...
- Early observations Tracking the Terps | Baltimore Sun A little more than eight minutes into the game, Georgia Tech is leading 15-13. Given how the Yellow Jackets have started, hitting three early 3s and settling for jump shots, I think this is playing into Maryland's hands. Georgia Tech's biggest advantage is its size, especially with Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal. Lawal touched the ball early and scored easily, but since then it's been mostly the guards firing away from the outside. Remember the Clemson game when the Tigers couldn't miss early and couldn't score late? We'll see how this develops, but I think Maryland is liking Georgi...
- Poll: Larry Johnson move - yea or nay? Redskins Insider | Washington Post Share your thoughts on the Redskins' biggest move in the free agent market thus far. poll by twiigs.com
- Larry Foote scheduled to visit Steelers on Monday Redskins Insider | Washington Post As it concerns free agency news, it's been a relatively quiet day thus far. Hopefully we'll have something to report on Larry Johnson soon. For now, all we have is a brief update on linebacker Larry Foote, who Thursday said he'd prefer to be an Arizona Cardinal but didn't rule out the Redskins. Well, he's finished his visit in Phoenix and is now scheduled to visit with his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Foote is scheduled to meet with the Steelers. According to the report, Foote will be in Pittsburgh on Monday, and if he passes a physical, he co...
- Report: Redskins sign running back Larry Johnson Redskins Insider | Washington Post The Redskins have signed running back Larry Johnson to a three-year deal, according to an ESPN.com report. Check back here shortly for more information.