Nationals Journal: March 21, 2010 - March 27, 2010
Tyler Walker's view of crunch time
These days, downtime is toughest for Tyler Walker. When he climbs a mound, he knows how to shove aside the notion of pitching for his job. He's used to that. He's been up and down from Class AAA three times...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 27, 2010; 5:40 PM ET |
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Jason Marquis gets his groove back
On the day after his third start this spring, still digesting another ugly line score, Jason Marquis went out to play catch. In the middle of his tossing, he took the ball out of his glove just a bit differently...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 27, 2010; 4:56 PM ET |
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Alberto Gonzalez 'flips' Kiko Calero while the Nationals watch
In the clubhouse here at Champion Field, a group of Nationals gathered in front of a small television set, bags strapped around their shoulders. Before they boarded the bus back to Viera, they wanted to see the how the other...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 27, 2010; 4:14 PM ET |
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Updates: Nationals at Braves
I'll provide periodic updates. ... 3:38: The Nationals lost to the Braves, 4-0. They finished with four hits. Reliever Tyler Walker, recovering from his brutal start to the spring, retired all four hitters he faced and struck out three. 2:45:...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 27, 2010; 1:52 PM ET |
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Today's lineups in Orlando
The Nationals are playing a pair of split-squad games today, one in Orlando, where Jim Riggleman, Jason Marquis and I are, and one in Port St. Lucie, where Craig Stammen will take the mound. From the Wide World of Sports...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 27, 2010; 10:47 AM ET |
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Right field production and the Nationals
Publicly, at least, the Nationals right-field situation is murky. Willie Harris is going to start on opening day. After that, we may see any combination of Harris, Mike Morse, Roger Bernadina, Willy Taveras, Justin Maxwell and the ghost of Del...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 27, 2010; 9:10 AM ET |
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Nationals shortstop decision could be coming 'pretty soon'
The Nationals hope to come to a decision in the competition between Ian Desmond and Cristian Guzman "pretty soon," Manager Jim Riggleman said. The Nationals need to determine which player will start at shortstop with enough time remaining in spring...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 26, 2010; 5:09 PM ET |
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Ian Desmond
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For John Lannan, Ivan Rodriugez is tough to shake
In the first inning Friday, John Lannan made a departure from his previously sterling spring. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks, consistently falling behind batters, something he rarely does. "I wasn't really pitching like myself," Lannan...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 26, 2010; 4:58 PM ET |
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Ivan Rodriguez
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John Lannan
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Updates: Cardinals at Nationals
I'll provide periodic updates. ... 3:39: The Nationals won, 7-4. Roger Bernadina provided the final margin with an RBI single in the eighth. After a rough first inning by John Lannan, that was a nice game the Nats played today....
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Adam Kilgore
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March 26, 2010; 1:23 PM ET |
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Miguel Batista rounds out the Nationals bullpen
With opening day near and roster decisions looming, the Nationals have a firm handle on which pitchers will comprise their bullpen when the season begins. Matt Capps, Brian Bruney, Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard and Jason Bergmann are all clear-cut choices....
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Adam Kilgore
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March 26, 2010; 10:15 AM ET |
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Today's lineup
There's a chance the Nationals and the Cardinals will be rained out today, but the gray, cloudy weather seems to be burning off at Space Coast Stadium. The Nationals are on the field working out now, so it's not too...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 26, 2010; 9:57 AM ET |
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Morning reading from soggy Viera
Since 35-year-old catchers aren't the only ones who feel tired when there's a day game after a night game, we'll get right to the links today. In the birdcage liner, I wrote about Adam Dunn's progress at first base. He...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 26, 2010; 8:30 AM ET |
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In return, Nyjer Morgan looks like his old self
Nyjer Morgan had last played in a major league game March 14, when he felt a tweak in his right hamstring while running to first base. He was 3 for 21 at the time, and it seemed like his slow...
By
Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 10:24 PM ET |
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Slump ruining Justin Maxwell's chances
Justin Maxwell entered tonight 4 for 43, a spring-long slump that decimated his chances to earn playing time in right field, which was vacated with the release of Elijah Dukes. "He's just not getting to the fastball," Manager Jim Riggleman...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 8:52 PM ET |
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Justin Maxwell
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Updates: Nationals vs Tigers
I'll provide periodic updates. ... 9:47: The Nationals lost, 8-2. Matt Capps allowed an RBI double while sheets of rain came down in the ninth for the final margin. 9:17: After Luis Atilano shut out the Tigers in the sixth,...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 7:35 PM ET |
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The late-game Adam Dunn dilemma
If the Nationals are leading late in a game, Adam Dunn and his -25.0 UZR/150 lurking over at first base will not be a comforting thought. The Nationals believe Dunn will be an adequate first baseman in due time, but...
By
Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 4:30 PM ET |
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Craig Stammen 'a good bet' for the Nationals rotation
With the Nationals nearing a final decision on the makeup of their starting rotation, Craig Stammen has seemingly won one of the final two spots up for competition. "I'd say it's a good bet" Stammen will be in the rotation,...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 4:15 PM ET |
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Mike MacDougal is glad to be back with the Nationals
Reliever Mike MacDougal arrived this afternoon at Space Coast Stadium, returning to the team he wanted to play for all along. MacDougal, who agreed to terms with the Nationals yesterday, enjoyed his time with the Nationals last and hoped he...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 3:49 PM ET |
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Jordan Zimmermann makes progress, slowly
Yesterday morning, Jordan Zimmermann stuck to his Monday-Wednesday-Friday throwing scheduled and pitched off of a mound for the second time this spring. The bullpen session went "a little better than" when he threw Monday, Zimmermann said. Zimmermann threw 10 pitches...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 3:02 PM ET |
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Tonight's lineup
The Nationals will play the Detroit Tigers tonight at Space Coast Stadium. J.D. Martin will get his chance to make a case for his inclusion in the Nationals rotation, although with the way Craig Stammen and Livan Hernandez pitched in...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 1:54 PM ET |
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Looking after Stephen Strasburg and morning links
During his senior season at San Diego State, Stephen Strasburg saw one happy consequence of the attention that engulfed him. He felt like once fans flocked to watch him pitch, his teammates gained more notice than they otherwise would have....
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Adam Kilgore
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March 25, 2010; 8:56 AM ET |
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The ageless Livan Hernandez and racquetball
Just about everyone knows Livan Hernandez at his L.A. Fitness club in Miami, located in a predominantly Cuban area of the city. The familiarity led to a discovery that led to Hernandez arriving at Nationals spring training in prime condition....
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Adam Kilgore
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March 24, 2010; 10:25 PM ET |
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Livan Hernandez
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Updates: Nationals at Yankees
I'll provide periodic updates. ... 10:01: (Sorry for the delay; there was screwiness in the posting of this last one.) The Yankees won, 3-1. Mariano Rivera closed it out in the ninth. The Nationals scored their lone run on an...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 24, 2010; 7:31 PM ET |
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More on Mike MacDougal, plus lineups
The Nationals signed Mike MacDougal not to shakeup their opening day bullpen, but rather to re-acquire a struggling pitcher whom they believe they can resuscitate. While "something extraordinary would have to happen for him to break camp with the club,"...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 24, 2010; 7:16 PM ET |
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Nats sign MacDougal
The Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Mike MacDougal on a minor league deal with a big-league spring training invitation. MacDougal, who has 70 career saves, was released by Florida on Tuesday morning. Adam Kilgore will have more...
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Alexa Steele
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March 24, 2010; 5:32 PM ET |
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'No decision has been made' on Nationals shortstops
You have perhaps seen the Tweet this afternoon by SI.com's John Heyman that stated Ian Desmond will be the Nationals starting shortstop and Cristian Guzman will be a utility player. The report, according to Manager Jim Riggleman, is premature. "No...
By
Adam Kilgore
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March 24, 2010; 1:59 PM ET |
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J.D. Martin will pitch Thursday
Before this morning, J.D. Martin didn't know if or when he'd be pitching in another major league game this spring. The Nationals maintained that Martin remained in the competition for a final starting rotation spot, but every time Martin checked...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 24, 2010; 10:00 AM ET |
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The shortstop competition continues, Luis Atilano is sticking around, and morning links
I wanted to get to a couple of quick, leftover items this morning. Yesterday, Jim Riggleman said there remains "no question" that either Ian Desmond or Cristian Guzman would be the starting shortstop. "We're using spring training to determine it,"...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 24, 2010; 8:45 AM ET |
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Nationals' Sean Burnett and Matt Capps take small steps forward
Matt Capps and Sean Burnett, the Nationals' closer and their top (only?) lefty out of the bullpen, currently have ERAs of 9.00 and 12.60, respectively. Tonight, though, they each made progress by throwing a scoreless inning a piece. Throw in...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 23, 2010; 9:30 PM ET |
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A rough night leaves Scott Olsen uncertain
After his start tonight, Scott Olsen sounded like a man searching for something, or maybe a man not even sure what he's searching for. He hit 91 mph on the stadium radar gun, which may have been a touch fast...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 23, 2010; 9:11 PM ET |
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Scott Olsen
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Updates: Nationals at Tigers
I'll provide periodic updates. ... 8:39: The Nationals lost to the Tigers, 6-2. Matt Capps and Sean Burnett each threw scoreless innings, Capps striking out a pair. That's an encouraging performance by Capps, the Nationals opening closer. He previously had...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 23, 2010; 6:55 PM ET |
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New arrest in steroids case (updated)
3:15 pm: Here is staff writer Amy Shipley's report on the steroids bust. Original post: There's been another arrest near Tampa with connections to the steroid case that made mention of the Nationals and Capitals last year. From the (Lakeland)...
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Alexa Steele
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March 23, 2010; 2:17 PM ET |
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Jesus Flores back with Nationals, vows return this season
Certain he will play this season and vowing patience to heal his surgically repaired shoulder, catcher Jesus Flores returned to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday morning after undergoing physical therapy from orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. After spending...
By
Adam Kilgore
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March 23, 2010; 10:28 AM ET |
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Scott Olsen's big day
It seems like the Nationals didn't envision Scott Olsen having this kind of spring. They planned to rely on a healthy Olsen as their No. 3 three starter, and if he wasn't healthy, they could wait on him and use...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 23, 2010; 8:38 AM ET |
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Craig Stammen states his case for Nationals rotation
Some nights after he pitched last season, Craig Stammen wondered if he would be able to play catch the next day. The bone chips in right elbow and the pain they wrought prevented him from straightening his arm. There were...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 6:18 PM ET |
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Craig Stammen
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Zimmerman heats up, Maxwell slumps, Marquis makes progress
I'll have a longer post later on about Craig Stammen and the start that may have solidified his spot in the Nationals' rotation. First, some quick hits from the Nationals' fifth win in seven games: Ryan Zimmerman is on fire:...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 5:47 PM ET |
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Jason Marquis
,
Justin Maxwell
,
Ryan Zimmerman
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Nationals still weighing options in right field
With opening day two weeks away, the Nationals remain open to going outside the organization to fill their need in right field, according to a front-office member. While they have not seriously discussed Jermaine Dye internally, he is the most...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 2:34 PM ET |
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Updates: Nationals vs. Mets
I'll provide periodic updates. ... 3:48: The Nationals won, 7-5. Craig Stammen closed it out with four innings in which he allowed two hits and two unearned runs. The Mets tacked on a run in the ninth when Ian Desmond...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 1:40 PM ET |
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Jordan Zimmermann returns to the mound
Jordan Zimmermann hit another milestone today in his recovery from last August's ligament-replacement surgery when he threw off of a mound for the first time in seven months. Zimmermann threw 10 times from the mound's slope and 15 pitches from...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 1:15 PM ET |
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Ross Detwiler is throwing, and the lineups are here
Ross Detwiler has been creeping closer to his return after the hip surgery he underwent at the start of spring training. Today, he played catch on flat ground for the third straight day, throwing as far as 70 feet with...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 1:10 PM ET |
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The shape of the Nationals' rotation
The Nationals want to have their rotation pinned down by the end of this week, and they already have a firm idea of how it will be configured. Manager Jim Riggleman added Garrett Mock to John Lannan and Jason Marquis...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 10:05 AM ET |
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Jim Riggleman
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Pitching rotation
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Nationals make more cuts
The Nationals sent to their minor league first baseman Chris Duncan, starting pitcher Shairon Martis and infielder Pete Orr. All three players will begin the year with Class AAA Syracuse. The Nationals now have 36 players in their major league...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 8:35 AM ET |
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Eric Bruntlett's offensive change and links
For this point in spring training, the Nationals have plenty of room on the roster still to be sorted out. They have figured out who will start in right field opening day, but the position remains fluid after that....
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Adam Kilgore
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March 22, 2010; 6:47 AM ET |
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Jesse English, your bullpen darkhorse
Jesse English has never pitched above Class AA. Last year at this time, he had already been sent to the San Francisco Giants' minor league side of camp; he lasted two weeks with the major league camp as little more...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 21, 2010; 6:10 PM ET |
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Quick notes from the Nationals' fourth win
The best way to describe John Lannan's spring performance would probably be 'professional.' He has basically pitched exactly how you would hope your staff anchor would in spring training. In his first inning, he allowed two earned runs, the kinks...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 21, 2010; 5:49 PM ET |
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Updates: Nationals at Marlins
I'll provide periodic updates. ... 4:14: The Nationals won, 9-7. Luis Atilano retired the first out while allowing a double to Mike Stanton. After the double, Jim Riggleman called on lefty Jesse English to finish off the game. He surrendered...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 21, 2010; 1:14 PM ET |
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Nyjer Morgan scheduled to return Thursday
Nyjer Morgan will not play in a major league spring training game until Thursday because of a minor strain in his hamstring. Morgan, who has not played in six days, will take at-bats in intrasquad minor league games in the...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 21, 2010; 12:40 PM ET |
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Roger Bernadina is in the mix, plus a Jordan Zimmermann update
Roger Bernadina can now "definitely" be included in the mix for right field, Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman said. Bernadina will be among the group trying to replace Elijah Dukes, which includes Willie Harris, Mike Morse and Justin Maxwell. Nationals officials...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 21, 2010; 12:31 PM ET |
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Today's lineups
The Nationals are playing the Marlins again today, this time at their place in Jupiter (town, not planet). Bill Parcells is down standing behind the batting cage as the Marlins take batting practice. He's next to Carlos Tosca, who was...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 21, 2010; 10:35 AM ET |
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Polling the lineup and links
During the first days of spring training workouts, Manager Jim Riggleman expressed confidence that he already knew which eight position players he would scribble on to the lineup card most every day. This past week has changed that. Elijah Dukes,...
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Adam Kilgore
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March 21, 2010; 7:30 AM ET |
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