Washington Nationals News

Stephen Strasburg headed to disabled list
Comment
July 29
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals placed 22-year-old phenom Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list with an inflamed right right shoulder before Thursday's game, eliminating any chance he will pitch Sunday and placing his remarkable rookie season on pause. "They're talking every precaution with me," Strasburg said. "It's feeling great already. I'm making big strides. I'm just going to keep getting better, keep getting stronger, and when the time comes I'm going to be ready to go." Since Strasburg has not pitched since July 21, he could return to the rotation as soon as Aug. 6. That seems unlikely given the necessary caution the Nationals are taking. Strasburg, though, will travel with the Nationals and"
Riggleman: Strasburg likely to be shut down for 10 days
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July 29
Washington Post
 
"On an appearance this morning on MLB Network Radio on Sirius/XM, Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman said Stephen Strasburg would not make his scheduled start Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies, and will likely be shut down for 10 days, according to a tweet from Brent Gambill, the network's executive producer. Riggleman said a trip to the disabled list remains a possibility, but said the team still plans for Strasburg to pitch again this season. After Sunday, Strasburg's next start is currently scheduled for Aug. 6 at Dodger Stadium."
Braves defeat Nationals
Comment
July 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"The Braves needed something special in the first inning Wednesday night to turn the momentum of this series and this road trip around. They got it from Jason Heyward. The Braves' electrifying right fielder stole home on the front end of a double-steal on a play when the Braves were just trying to stay out of a double play. He made it work to the Braves' advantage, scoring the second of two first-inning runs on the team's first steal of home in 10 years, and the Braves bounced back with a 3-1 win over the Nationals. "It's a heads-up play," Heyward said. "You're not going to see a lot of it, but when it does happen and you can take advantage of a situation like that it's always great." The"
Hudson, Braves cruise past Nats, 3-1
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July 29
Washington Examiner
 
"After getting relatively good news before Wednesday's game about the health of phenom Stephen Strasburg's throwing shoulder, the Nationals had the unpleasant experience of facing Atlanta's Tim Hudson. The Braves starter pitched 7 2/3 strong innings against the Nats, allowing seven hits and just one walk. Hudson (11-5, 2.40 ERA) also struck out seven batters. According to Nats first baseman Adam Dunn, Hudson changed his game plan on Wednesday after usually dominating Washington with offspeed pitches. This time his sinker was especially effective so Hudson stuck with it. He induced 11 ground-ball outs to go with those seven strikeouts. In his career against the Nats, Hudson entered the game"
Sigh of relief for Strasburg, Nats
Comment
July 29
Washington Examiner
 
"Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg said he felt better before Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves, just one day after being scratched with shoulder inflammation moments before a scheduled start. Strasburg received treatment on Wednesday morning and afternoon -- stretching and strengthening the muscles around the right shoulder -- but it remains unclear if he will make his next start on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. An MRI during the game Tuesday night showed no rotator cuff damage or structural problems with the shoulder. The 21-year-old at times endured similar shoulder stiffness while pitching in college at San Diego State "It feels a lot better, the"
U.S. Senator, former MLB pitcher Jim Bunning mocks Stephen Strasburg
Comment
July 29
Washington Post
 
"Anonymous Internet comments aren't always the best source of dispassionate wisdom, and so it's been with this week's scratched Stephen Strasburg start. In my random perusals of the Internet's finest stuff about Tuesday's aborted 10th Day of Strasmas, I've seen people fault the Nationals, Washington baseball fans, Boston baseball fans, D.C. ushers, Stan Kasten, the Washington Post Science page, and at least 43 of the Miss USA contestants. This, though, was something I hadn't seen: the suggestion that Stephen Strasburg was a no-heart wimp for not appearing on the mound. So, um, any U.S. Senators want to rectify that? "Five-hundred twenty starts, I never refused the ball," Kentucky's Jim"
Real Nationals fans should not boo the decision to be safe with Strasburg
Comment
July 29
Washington Post
 columnist Tracee Hamilton
"Forty thousand people turned up at Nationals Park on Tuesday night expecting Jim Riggleman to shout "Release the Kraken" as Stephen Strasburg strode to the mound for his 10th start. That's 40,000 people, but not necessarily 40,000 fans. Fans don't boo the hometown team because of a pitching change. Fans don't boo the long reliever who had a 10-minute warning that he was going to start. Fans don't get up and walk out because one player is out of the lineup, even if that player is Stephen Strasburg. Hopefully much of the booing was expressing disappointment rather than disagreement with GM Mike Rizzo's decision. Rizzo did exactly the right thing. Strasburg (5-2) hasn't mentioned shoulder"
Shoulder inflammation means rest for Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg
Comment
July 29
Washington Post
 
"Stephen Strasburg loathes the notion of standing apart from his teammates, which his team literally forced him to do Wednesday afternoon. As the rest of the Washington Nationals pitching staff shagged batting practice, Strasburg stood in right field and chatted with pitching coach Steve McCatty for roughly 45 minutes, barred from throwing or any other activity that may aggravate his damaged right shoulder. One day after the Nationals scratched Strasburg from his start Tuesday night, they decided he would not throw for at least three or four days. They did not rule out him making his start Sunday, but given his planned regimen for the coming days and his long-term value to the franchise,"
No Strasburg, no problem as Nats shutout Braves, 3-0
Comment
July 28
Washington Examiner
 
"Nationals relief pitcher Miguel Batista was sitting in the team chapel a few minutes before Tuesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves. The veteran was expecting to watch rookie Stephen Strasburg take the mound before a sellout crowd at Nationals Park. Then his day took a sudden U-turn. Strasburg was experiencing shoulder inflammation during his warm-up session in the bullpen. Not wanting to take a chance with his health the Nats tabled their prized young pitcher and quickly tabbed Batista to replace him. All he did was pitch five shutout innings, allowing just three hits and a walk in a 3-0 Washington victory. "I just tried to give the people what they came to see," joked Batista,"
Nats use 'common sense' and scratch Strasburg
Comment
July 28
Washington Examiner
 
"Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg was scratched just moments before his scheduled start on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves with shoulder stiffness. The 21-year-old had trouble "getting loose" during his warm-up session in the bullpen, according to Washington general manager Mike Rizzo, who quickly made the decision to scratch his prized youngster. Strasburg threw a bullpen session during the team's weekend road series in Milwaukee and played catch on Monday with no problems. But when Strasburg struggled during his warm-up about 20 minutes before the start of Tuesday's game at Nationals Park, pitching coach Steve McCatty reported that news to head trainer Lee Kuntz, who in"
Trade for Rangers doesn't appear imminent
Comment
July 28
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Rangers continue to be in contact with several teams as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches this weekend, but a deal does not appear imminent, a baseball source said. Should the Rangers make a trade, it probably won't be until Friday or Saturday. The deadline to make a trade without a player having to first clear waivers is 3 p.m. Saturday, and the Rangers are attempting to land a right-handed-hitting corner infielder. They have had steady dialogue with Florida about Jorge Cantu and Baltimore about Ty Wigginton , and they had a scout in Washington to monitor Cristian Guzman and Josh Willingham."
Scott Olsen likely to start, Jesse English done for the year
Comment
July 28
Washington Post
 
"Scott Olsen will likely start Thursday after throwing a bullpen session Tuesday evening with Class AAA Syracuse, according to a source. Olsen has been on the disabled list with shoulder stiffness and inflammation since May 23 and has made a handful of rehab starts in July. Starting Olsen on Thursday will allow the Nationals to move back Craig Stammen and Ross Detwiler to pitch Friday and Saturday, likely in that order. Detwiler would receive an extra day of rest, which he could use after starting Sunday on three days rest."
Miguel Batista turns boos to cheers as the Nationals beat the Braves, 3-0
Comment
July 28
Washington Post
 
"Told minutes before the first pitch he would be the replacement starter for Stephen Strasburg, Miguel Batista walked casually to the Washington dugout, smiling practically the entire trip from the bullpen. There was no indication of any unease that may have overwhelmed other less grizzled players facing this particularly odd circumstance. Batista instead very much resembled the youthful, hard-throwing ace most of the 40,043 at Nationals Park came to see tame the Atlanta Braves, tossing five scoreless innings that included six strikeouts and just one walk in a 3-0 victory. That three-hit outing was more than enough to win over an initially grumpy fan base that booed Batista when he was"
Stephen Strasburg scratched from start with inflamed right shoulder
Comment
July 28
Washington Post
 
"First, the initial steps of their nightmare scenario unfolded. On Tuesday night, Stephen Strasburg played long toss in right field, his typical warmup. He moved into the bullpen and threw maybe five pitches, grimacing after at least one. Then the Washington Nationals scratched Strasburg from his start against the Atlanta Braves after the pitcher had "trouble getting loose in the bullpen," General Manager Mike Rizzo said. Next came the relief. The Nationals consider Strasburg day-to-day after a body of medical tests revealed right shoulder inflammation and soreness but no structural damage, Rizzo said. An X-ray came back negative, and an MRI exam taken before the game ended showed no"
Dunn or Willingham still likely to be traded
Comment
July 27
ESPN.com
 
"As our buddy Tim Kurkjian reported Monday, the chances of the Nationals trading Adam Dunn (likely to the White Sox) seem to be increasing with every day that goes by that they fail to make progress on an extension. But we're hearing the Nationals, in the end, could wind up trading Josh Willingham instead of Dunn. Among the many teams interested in Willingham: Atlanta, Boston and Tampa Bay. If the Nationals do deal a bat, they would either trade Dunn or Willingham, but not both."
Nats have not made progress on signing Dunn
Comment
July 27
Foxsports.com
 
"The Nationals may trade first baseman Adam Dunn if they can't sign him to an extension before Saturday's 4 p.m. ET deadline. At this point, it doesn't appear that the sides have made significant progress. So, we can expect the Dunn market to heat up in the coming days. The White Sox have been the most serious suitor, but sources say the Tigers, Rangers and Yankees maintain some level of interest, as well. The Rangers are also pursuing Florida's Jorge Cantu and Baltimore's Ty Wigginton, among other right-handed bats. Dunn is the quintessential left-handed slugger. He's hitting .281 this season with 23 home runs and 63 RBIs. And while the White Sox remain focused on Dunn, one source"
Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals: What makes him a great pitcher?
Comment
July 27
Washington Post
 
"What makes Washington Nationals rookie Stephen Strasburg such a great pitcher? The 22-year-old can throw triple-digit fastballs while guiding the ball to an exact spot in, or not quite in, the strike zone. His curveballs seem to fall off a cliff. His changeup -- a slower pitch, meant to confuse the batter -- clips along at 89 mph, the speed of some pitchers' fastballs. To his fans, coaches, teammates and especially his strikeout victims, Strasburg's talent seems inexplicable, a supernatural force: "There's no rhyme or reason. He's just better than everybody else," says Rob Dibble, a MASN TV commentator who once threw 99-mph fastballs of his own. "It's a God-given talent," says Steve"
As trade deadline looms, Mike Rizzo faces week that could further alter Washington Nationals
Comment
July 27
Washington Post
 
"On the wall inside his office, Washington Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo can see the future. Or at least several versions of what it might be. Hanging there is a dry-erase board etched with four baseball diamonds, a player's name at each position. Each diamond is drawn under a different heading: 2013. 2012. 2011. One Month From Now. "You have to really have a long-term plan," Rizzo said. "You have to map out where you're going to be. I've got lineups and holes that I need to fill. That's kind of how I prepare." Those lineups could be shaped this week more than any other in Rizzo's 18-month tenure running the Nationals. At his first trade deadline as full-fledged GM, operating with a"
Dunn deal: 3-way trade rumors continue
Comment
July 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Scouts from the Diamondbacks and Nationals watched Monday's White Sox game against the Mariners, which would seem to add credence to the rumors of a three-way deal sending Diamondbacks pitcher Edwin Jackson to the Nationals and Adam Dunn to the Sox. While everyone is claiming ignorance of any such talks, that doesn't mean something couldn't be worked out before the non-waiver trading deadline Saturday. As of now, the Sox are concentrating on a deal solely for Dunn — and the price in talent remains too high for the return. The Yankees and Tigers also believe that, according to the rumor mill. Dunn is basically a younger Jim Thome — high homer totals, high strikeouts, iffy in the field — who"
Nationals, White Sox and Diamondbacks talking three-team deal?
Comment
July 26
ESPN.com
 
"The Nationals continue to talk to Adam Dunn's agents about an extension, and have essentially made it clear that if they can get him to agree to an extension in the next few days, he'll stay. And if not, he'll go. Rumblings continue to surface about a possible three-team deal involving the Nationals, White Sox and Diamondbacks that would send Edwin Jackson to Washington, Dunn to Chicago and a bunch of young pitchers to Arizona."
Tigers have 'great interest' in Dunn
Comment
July 26
MLB.com
 
"With the injury to outfielder Magglio Ordonez, the Tigers have "great interest" in Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn, according to a baseball source. The Tigers need a run producer after Ordonez fractured his right ankle in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays, knocking him out for an estimated six to eight weeks. If the Tigers were to acquire him, Dunn would be a designated hitter and play in the outfield. They already have a first baseman in Miguel Cabrera. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has said in the past that he would want a lot in return if he were to trade Dunn. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski also indicated to local beat reporters that he would not trade top prospects"
Nationals lose to Brewers, 8-3
Comment
July 26
Washington Post
 
"Months in the making, Ross Detwiler's first major league appearance of 2010 fizzled in moments. Unexpected hip surgery delayed Detwiler's promise in the spring; he spent months healing; eight rehab appearances nurtured him back into shape. On Sunday afternoon, finally, he walked to the Miller Park mound. An error. Wildness. Another error. A home run. The Washington Nationals were behind. Detwiler was finished. Detwiler had existed all season as one of the reinforcements who would reshape the Nationals' rotation in the season's final months. He may yet make a difference, but his defense and a spasm of control issues gave him little chance in an 8-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers before"
Adam Dunn's surprise visit
Comment
July 26
Washington Post
 
"First baseman Adam Dunn paid a visit to an old friend at a surprising time Saturday night. Between the first and second innings at Miller Park, Dunn -- in full uniform -- he journeyed upstairs from the Nats' dugout and ventured into the Brewers' broadcast booth to say hello to venerable announcer Bob Uecker, who on Friday returned to work following heart surgery. Dunn made a brief on-air appearance and then returned to the clubhouse. "It was good,"said Dunn, who has known Uecker for a dozen years. "To get to see him healthy and back having fun doing what he loves is great.""
Stephen Strasburg's competitiveness sets him apart
Comment
July 26
Washington Post
 
"The moment was easy to miss -- so easy, in fact, that half the teammates and coaches in Stephen Strasburg's own dugout missed it. But Steve McCatty saw the whole thing. As Strasburg stalked off the mound following the top of the third inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 9, McCatty, the Washington Nationals' pitching coach, suddenly elbowed Manager Jim Riggleman in the ribs. "Look!" McCatty said, pointing at Strasburg -- who, as he came toward the Nationals' dugout, was staring down his latest strikeout victim, Giants center fielder Andres Torres, and muttering something under his breath. "He's talking [smack]!" McCatty, himself a former big league pitcher who wasn't above some"
The Washington Nationals should keep Adam Dunn
Comment
July 25
Washington Post
 columnist Tracee Hamilton
"Should the Nationals trade Adam Dunn? Absolutely not. Next question. Oh, all right, let's discuss that one some more, then, since the Nats have until Saturday's trade deadline to entertain offers. In the meantime, they can continue to try to re-sign Dunn. If they're smart, that's exactly what happens. But let's look at their options. There is no question Dunn is one of the most attractive dishes on the trade buffet this week. It has been widely reported that the White Sox have offered anyone in their minor league system for Dunn as they try to hold off the Tigers and Twins for the AL Central title. The Red Sox and Giants have also been mentioned as interested parties, among others."
Washington Nationals lose after Ryan Braun's walk-off single in ninth lifts Brewers, 4-3
Comment
July 25
Washington Post
 
"The cell phone alarm would not stop ringing in the Washington Nationals clubhouse late Saturday, one of few sounds that pierced the silence, a final annoyance to cap a maddening night. "Someone shut that phone off," one player grumbled. Jim Riggleman and Mike Rizzo spoke in the manager's office, trying to figure who would relieve Sunday. Everyone figured out how to swallow a brutal loss. Saturday night, the Washington Nationals lost their starting pitcher in the third inning, used every player on their bench, were granted their first run one inning after they actually scored it and needed six pitchers, four of whom spent part of the year at Class AAA Syracuse and one of whom spent Friday"
Braun delivers victory in ninth
Comment
July 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"In essence, Jim Edmonds announced his retirement Saturday night, effective at the end of the season. He plans to go out with a bang, however. "I'm going to play these last nine weeks like they're my last," said the veteran outfielder. "And we'll see how it goes." Edmonds was one of several players displaying true grit in the Milwaukee Brewers' dramatic 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals, delivered on Ryan Braun's long RBI single with one out in the bottom of the ninth that delighted a sellout crowd of 41,987 at Miller Park. Playing basically on one leg with an inflamed Achilles' tendon that often leaves him in agony, Edmonds, 40, played a huge role in the game with a home run,"
Nationals blow four-run lead in 7-5 loss to Brewers
Comment
July 24
Washington Post
 
"The story of their night mirrored the story of their season. For the first part of Friday night, the Washington Nationals built on the rare momentum they had gathered. They had already won two straight games away from home, something they hadn't done in two months. They took complete command. Then another winning streak died on the vine. Just when the Nationals seem poised to find the roll every team eventually goes on, they stumble. In their pursuit of their first winning streak of more than three games, they'll have to start over again Saturday after their 7-5 unraveling Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. Before 34,822 at Miller Park, the Nationals held a four-run lead with two"
Nationals may be playing risky game with Dunn
Comment
July 23
Foxsports.com
 
"The Nationals could be playing a dangerous game with first baseman Adam Dunn. Some in the industry believe the team might offer Dunn a new contract just before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, then trade him if he rejects the deal. Such a strategy, though, could backfire. A last-minute contract offer, if unacceptable to Dunn, likely would irritate his teammates; third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has been outspoken in his desire for the team to retain Dunn. Trading Dunn also would eliminate one of the Nationals' few strengths — the combination of Zimmerman, Dunn and Josh Willingham in the middle of their order. "Anything is possible, but we clearly do like Adam Dunn, make no mistake about"
Nats pound Volquez, beat Reds 7-1
Comment
July 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds seemed poised to close out a very nice homestand on Thursday. That is, right up until Edinson Volquez took the mound and started throwing. "I was all over the place," Volquez said. However, the Cardinals also lost Thursday, keeping them a game and a half in front of the Reds in the Nationial League Central race. After being semi-brilliant in his first start back (six innings, one run), Volquez was downright bad in his second. He went 26 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on five hits, striking out four and walking four as the Reds fell to the Washington Nationals 7-1 before a crowd of 23,115 on sweltering day at Great American Ball Park. The Reds closed out the homestand with"
Livan Hernandez's complete game gives Nationals second straight win over Reds
Comment
July 23
Washington Post
 
"Liván Hernández, the man his Washington Nationals teammates have taken to calling "the Don," took it easy Thursday afternoon. He walked to the mound. He threw his pitches, typically no more than a dozen per inning, while sun shimmered off the gold chain around his neck. He walked back. He kept doing it until there were no more pitches to throw. In the Nationals' 7-1 thumping of the Cincinnati Reds, Hernández twirled the second complete game of his remarkable season and 49th of his career, a seven-hit, no-walk, five-strikeout gem. The Nationals received contributions from everywhere as they won consecutive road games for the first time since May 13. Nyjer Morgan set a single-game Nationals"
Strasburg good enough to beat Reds
Comment
July 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Stephen Strasburg vs. Bronson Arroyo – a pitchers' duel, right? Not quite. Both were good early, but the Reds and the Nationals hit the ball around the yard pretty well Wednesday, with Washington sending the home team to an 8-5 loss before a sellout crowd of 37,868 paying customers and 2,338 straight-A students. "We had the bases loaded and nobody out and only got one run," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Talk about a game of inches. (Ryan) Hanigan missed by inches. That ball just went off (Miguel Cairo's) glove. That was a tough loss. We swung the bats well against a very good pitcher. He has good stuff. He's going to be good for a long time. We had action all night." Strasburg (5-2) came"
After the break, Tyler Clippard is back
Comment
July 22
Washington Post
 
"Tyler Clippard's career is baseball, but his game is golf. He used to be about a 1 handicap; it's ballooned to about 10 these days. Over the all-star break, Clippard wanted a clean start to his season --- "a new nine holes," he said. In his seven appearances before the all-star break, Clippard went 0-3 with a 16.50 ERA. The dominant, precise set-up man had disappeared, replaced with a shaky, over-throwing middle reliever. Clippard still had confidence, but "there's a difference between having confidence and believing in yourself," Clippard said. "That little doubt I was going through from pitch to pitch or outing or outing that would start to creep in, I needed to get rid of that." That's"
Jordan Zimmermann's flawless rehab continues
Comment
July 22
Washington Post
 
"In his fourth rehab start for Class A Potomac, Jordan Zimmermann was just as good as he was in his first three starts. He allowed no runs in four innings, allowing two hits and no walks and striking out four. In 13 innings of rehab starts, Zimmermann has allowed zero earned runs and walked none. Zimmermann, who is in the final stages of his recovery from ligament-replacement surgery, delayed this most recent rehab start because of a stiff neck."
Strasburg gets help from Nationals' offense to beat Cincinnati Reds
Comment
July 22
Washington Post
 
"His manager asked for the ball, Adam Dunn slapped him on the back and Stephen Strasburg trudged toward the Washington Nationals' dugout. Scattered boos cascaded, and one fan sitting behind the dugout, close enough for Strasburg to hear, dared heckle him. Strasburg is reserved and polite, but his teammates have learned those manners extend only outside the confines of the baseball diamond. Strasburg peeked up and yelled, "Look at the scoreboard!" "I was like, 'Yeah, tell 'em Stras!' " Nationals outfielder Willie Harris said. "When we see stuff like that, it shows he's getting comfortable. He's believing in himself." The performance Strasburg summoned Wednesday night in an 8-5 Nationals"
Velocity vs. consistency: Strasburg vs. Leake
Comment
July 21
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Speed is about the only thing that separates Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals' phenom, from fellow rookie pitcher Mike Leake of the Reds. Strasburg has been generating plenty of buzz with a fastball that has topped 100 mph. Since striking out 14 Pittsburgh Pirates in just seven innings in his major-league debut on June 8, Strasburg has been captivating fans both at home and on the road. "There aren't too many pitchers who if I was a paying customer I'd pay to watch pitch," Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman said. "I'd have done it for (Bob) Gibson and (Sandy) Koufax and (Tom) Seaver, and this kid (Strasburg) probably falls into that category. You know on a given night they may"
Angels unlikely to land Dunn
Comment
July 21
Los Angeles Times
 
"If the Angels are to acquire an impact bat — or even another arm — before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the price of such a commodity will have to come down, at least in the eyes of General Manager Tony Reagins. The Angels expressed interest in Washington first baseman Adam Dunn, who is batting .286 with 22 homers and 59 RBIs, but they don't appear willing to part with the high-end prospects required to acquire the slugger. Among the players who might be available at a lesser price are Arizona first baseman Adam LaRoche (.256, 13 homers, 58 RBIs), Baltimore corner infielder Ty Wigginton (.248, 14 homers, 45 RBIs), Houston first baseman Lance Berkman (.250, 12 homers, 43 RBIs) and"
Nats ink Cuban ace
Comment
July 21
Washington Examiner
 
"The Nationals have agreed to contract terms with 28-year-old Cuban pitcher Yunesky Maya, a Major League Baseball source confirmed. The deal, first reported by Spanish-language Web site ESPNdeportes on Tuesday evening, is contingent on Maya passing a physical next week. The right-handed pitcher defected from his homeland last September. He pitched in the United States in March of 2009 at the World Baseball Classic and was a familiar name to big-league scouts. While 22-year-old teammate Aroldis Chapman garnered most of the attention at that tournament, Maya was the veteran ace of Cuba's staff. He pitched 7 1/3 innings at the WBC and allowed just five hits and one earned run. At 6-foot, 190"
Cuban pitcher Yunesky Maya agrees to terms with Nationals
Comment
July 21
Washington Post
 
"In a move that both further validates their emerging international scouting department and could bolster their starting rotation this season, the Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 28-year-old Cuban pitcher Yunesky Maya, a baseball source confirmed. The Nationals will make the signing official after Maya receives his working visa and completes a physical in Washington. The agreement was first reported by ESPN Deportes. Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo could not confirm or deny the agreement, but he acknowledged the Nationals have followed Maya for some time and believes Maya, a veteran of the Cuban national team and Cuban National Series, could be added to the Nationals"
Nationals' rally falls short against Cincinnati Reds
Comment
July 21
Washington Post
 
"Televisions had switched off across the District, heads had hit pillows and the focus shifted to anything but from the Washington Nationals. There was no point in staying up, not after Luis Atilano bombed, not after a 160-minute rain delay, not when the Nationals trailed by seven runs after five innings. They were done. Inside the Nationals clubhouse, rain pelting Great American Ball Park and the Nationals entrenched in another losing streak, the players felt otherwise. "We were all in here saying, 'Man, I want one more crack,' " shortstop Ian Desmond said. "Everyone wanted to go after it." Improbably, before 1,500 remaining souls, the Nationals roared back into the game. Their resiliency,"
Sox have made pitch for Dunn
Comment
July 20
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When discussing the trade market on Monday, Ken Williams chose his words carefully, using phrases like, "We'll see how that develops,'' and "... right now, I don't see anything materializing.'' It hasn't been from a lack of trying. According to a major-league source, Williams spent the last few days trying desperately to pry Adam Dunn from the grasps of the Washington Nationals, offering up "anyone and anything he has in the minor leagues in a package.'' And no one is untouchable, including pitcher Daniel Hudson or infielder Dayan Viciedo. "The problem Kenny is finding out is that [Nats GM Mike] Rizzo is acting like Dunn is Ryan Howard,'' the source said. That means that Rizzo is still"
Stephen Strasburg tickets selling hot for Wednesday's Reds game
Comment
July 20
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds are expecting one of their biggest weekday crowds of the year on Wednesday when Washington Nationals rookie Stephen Strasburg takes the mound at Great American Ball Park against the Reds and Bronson Arroyo. Strasburg, who turns 22 on Tuesday, was the No. 1 pick in the draft last season and has made eight starts for Washington in 2010 after a two-month stint in the minor leagues. He is 4-2 in eight starts with a 2.03 ERA and has struck out 68 and walked only 14 while allowing a .205 batting average against. But those aren't the only big numbers he is putting up. The young right-hander's start Friday in Florida attracted 27,037 to Sun Life Stadium in Miami where empty seats are a"
Adam Dunn is finally above average
Comment
July 20
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Prior to Adam Dunn's first at-bat Monday night at Great American Ball Park, the only apparent difference for the former Reds slugger was the jersey on his back. The Washington Nationals first baseman, who spent eight seasons in Cincinnati, greeted players, coaches and media with the same laid-back, playful demeanor. He sported the same reddish scruff on his chin and cheeks. He deposited the same tape-measure home runs in the moon deck at Great American Ball Park, where he has hit more dingers than any other player. And he deflected the same kind of trade rumors he heard here in his take-it-easy Texas tone. Then the big lefty came to the plate, and one very un-Dunn-like statistic was"
Strasburg among the Top 5 most marketable in MLB
Comment
July 20
Washington Examiner
 columnist Jim Williams
"He has sold nearly 80,000 jerseys, he has doubled attendance each time he a pitched and now according to my good friends and former colleagues at Sports Business Journal, Stephen Strasburg is the 4th most marketable player in the majors after just six weeks in the bigs. Yankees SS Derek Jeter is the most marketable player in baseball, according to an exclusive survey of sports business execs and media personalities conducted by SportsBusiness Daily. Fresh off his fifth World Series title with the Yankees, Jeter earned an overwhelming 80% of first-place votes. No other player received more than three votes for the top spot, further evidence that the 36-year-old remains MLB's biggest name."
Jim Riggleman takes blame for Adam Kennedy's rough season
Comment
July 20
Washington Post
 
"Adam Kennedy has not had the kind of season he or the Nationals hoped he would when they acquired him this offseason, and Manager Jim Riggleman sees one reason for that: himself. "I've talked to Adam a few times, and I've made it very clear to him that I take responsibility for his struggles," Riggeman said. "I sat him down for quite a while when [Cristian] Guzman played a lot earlier. I don't think Adam got back into his flow. He was out of sync. I'm not putting that on him. I take responsibility for that." Kennedy has acknowledged his sporadic playing time has been difficult to overcome. After hitting .289 with a .759 OPS last season, Kennedy is batting .242 with a .637 OPS this year. At"
Justin Maxwell sent to Syracuse for Luis Atilano
Comment
July 20
Washington Post
 
"As expected, the Nationals optioned outfielder Justin Maxwell to Class AAA Syracuse in order to make room for Luis Atilano, Tuesday night's starting pitcher. Maxwell has now been optioned four times this season, adding to two seasons spent toggling between the minors and majors. "The game's not frustrating," Maxwell said. "The process can be. Like I said before, I'm not worried about all that other crap. I just want to play." Maxwell had six plate appearances since the Nationals promoted him July 9, idle for the majority of his stint. Maxwell, 26, met with Manager Jim Riggleman and General Manager Mike Rizzo late tonight. He saw the decision coming and was not angry, just curious about his"
Nationals end scoreless streak, but it's not enough in loss to Cincinnati Reds
Comment
July 20
Washington Post
 
"Early on, the Washington Nationals ensured Monday night would be about only small victories. Like scoring. Their pursuit of turning runners into runs had grown into an unattainable alchemy, and so the Cincinnati Reds' four runs before the second inning's first out gave the home team a hammerlock on the outcome. When the Nationals retreated into the visitors clubhouse to swallow their third straight loss, they could at least find solace in ending their consecutive scoreless streak at 23 innings. But they had also started a new scoring drought. It stands at six. Before rain interrupted in the third inning and the 21,243 at the Great American Ballpark scattered for cover, the final result of"
Williams trying to get Dunn without disrupting Sox
Comment
July 20
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When discussing the trade market Monday, Ken Williams chose his words carefully, using phrases like, ''We'll see how that develops,'' and ''... right now, I don't see anything materializing.'' It hasn't been from a lack of trying. According to a major-league source, Williams spent the last few days trying desperately to pry Adam Dunn from the grasp of the Washington Nationals, offering up ''anyone and anything he has in the minor leagues in a package.'' And no one is untouchable, including pitcher Daniel Hudson, who started Monday, or infielder Dayan Viciedo. ''The problem Kenny is finding out is that [Nationals GM Mike] Rizzo is acting like Dunn is Ryan Howard,'' the source said. That"
1-0 loss at Florida
Comment
July 19
Washington Examiner
 
"This wasn't how the Nats wanted to start the second half of the 2010 season. They should have won two games against Florida. They had a chance to sweep the series. Instead, thanks to an 0-for-18 performance with runners in scoring position on Saturday and Sunday against the Marlins, they left Miami with just one win. You can blame Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham after Sunday's 1-0 loss if you want. They weren't very good at the plate the last two days (2-for-15, one walk, eight strikeouts) and came up short again and again with runners on base. But both did their job on Friday night and it's not like anyone else contributed much other than Ryan Zimmerman, who had three hits in the series and"
Marlins shut out Washington Nationals again, 1-0
Comment
July 19
Washington Post
 
"The statistics that describe the Washington Nationals' offensive futility here the past two days come cascading out of the box scores, wave after wave of head-scratching numbers. The most extreme, and the most telling, might be this: The Florida Marlins claimed the series, two games to one, despite scoring three runs in the three games. With their 1-0 loss Sunday afternoon before 21,057, the Nationals suffered their second consecutive shutout loss as they heaped frustration on top of frustration. For the second straight game, the Nationals created ample opportunities to slap a digit other than '0' on the Sun Life Stadium scoreboard. It is one thing for rallies to wilt against Josh"