MASNsports.com

Zim's deal unquestionably a win-win - Phil Wood

2012-02-28T03:13:47Z

Amazingly, the Nationals are catching some criticism for signing franchise cornerstone Ryan Zimmerman to a 6-year contract extension over the weekend. It's being suggested by some that the club should have offered Zim a much shorter pact, since they have Anthony Rendon waiting in the wings. Really? Hey, I'm as ... Read More

Rookie Rendon will start at third base vs. Georgetown - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-27T20:41:19Z

VIERA, Fla. - Now that they've locked up their present third baseman for the foreseeable future, the Nationals have made some decisions regarding third base prospect Anthony Rendon, the sixth overall pick in June's draft. General manager Mike Rizzo told MLB.com today that Rendon would play third base in the ... Read More

With Hernandez on hill, Harper may start in opener - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-27T20:10:40Z

VIERA, Fla. - Near the end of his daily briefing with the media, Nationals manager Davey Johnson was told by reporters that ex-Nat Livan Hernandez would be starting Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against Washington for the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla. "Livo?" Johnson said, his eyes growing wide and a grin ... Read More

Wang throwing "free and easy" in latest mound session - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-27T19:41:55Z

Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang drew quite a crowd while pitching live batting practice Monday. General manager Mike Rizzo, manager Davey Johnson, pitching coach Steve McCatty and minor league pitching coordinator Spin Williams were all casting a critical eye at the session, in which Wang looked pretty strong. Coming off shoulder problems ... Read More

Birk's willingness to return could benefit Ravens - Dan Kolko

2012-02-27T18:38:08Z

I have no specific information to back this up, but I'm guessing that when the Ravens' season ended in January, team officials expected center Matt Birk to opt for retirement. Birk is now 35 years old, his contract with the Ravens expired after the 2011 campaign and he's dealt with ... Read More

A few notes from Monday's workout - School of Roch

2012-02-27T18:27:11Z

SARASOTA, Fla. - The weather here is insane today. The sun was shining when I walked off the back fields, but it started pouring while the media met with manager Buck Showalter. We could hear the rain pounding the roof. I returned to my laptop, and the rain had just ... Read More

A few injury updates - School of Roch

2012-02-27T15:14:15Z

SARASOTA, Fla. - I didn't bother approaching Tsuyoshi Wada's locker this morning, since that cortisone injection in his left elbow needs another day or two to take effect. His status hasn't changed. He'll receive treatment and avoid picking up a ball. Zach Britton will have a light catch day from ... Read More

Purke ready to take the mound against Hoyas - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-27T14:35:57Z

VIERA, Fla. - When left-hander Matt Purke takes the mound Friday for the Nationals in an exhibition game against Georgetown, he'll be making his first tentative steps on a path that should land in him in Washington sooner rather than later. But it'll be different. There are no scouting reports ... Read More

The Orioles have the makings of a decent lineup - Steve Melewski

2012-02-27T14:22:26Z

There seems to be a perception among some that the Orioles' offense is sadly lacking. Maybe when stacked up to that of Boston or New York that is true, but the Orioles had an offense that ranked around league average in the American League in 2011. Here are eight team ... Read More

Would Strasburg be open to following in Zimmerman's footsteps? - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-27T12:32:25Z

VIERA, Fla. - From the time he was drafted in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman spoke of wanting to play his whole career in Washington. Because he grew up in Virginia Beach, Va., and played college baseball at the University of Virginia, he said playing at Nationals Park felt like an extension ... Read More

Nick Johnson: "For me, it comes down to health" - School of Roch

2012-02-27T11:06:44Z

SARASOTA, Fla. - How do you know when you've had too many surgeries? First baseman Nick Johnson says he's undergone three or four of them on his right wrist. When I asked how long ago he had a tendon removed, he replied, "I'd be guessing." When you can't recall the ... Read More

Durbin and Fulchino looking to make presence felt in Nationals' camp; update on Purke - Byron Kerr

2012-02-27T05:18:57Z

A couple of right-handers with a ton of experience are looking to break through and get the last one or two slots in the Nationals' bullpen this spring. Former UConn Husky Jeff Fulchino is looking to make a nice impression as Nationals camp gets rolling along. The 32-year old right-hander ... Read More

Harper gets to face other first-rounder in live BP - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-26T21:12:08Z

VIERA, Fla. - Bryce Harper, the top overall pick in the 2010 draft, drew a first-round pick from the 2009 draft as his opponent during Sunday's first day of live batting practice at Nationals spring training. Just not that first-rounder. Instead of hitting against right-hander Stephen Strasburg - a possibility ... Read More

DeRosa celebrates 37th birthday by facing Strasburg - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-26T20:58:33Z

VIERA, Fla. - For his 37th birthday, Mark DeRosa got an unusual present: an opportunity to face hard-throwing right-hander Stephen Strasburg during the first session of live batting practice at Nationals spring training. Working in a hitting group with Rick Ankiel and Roger Bernadina, DeRosa was the only person to ... Read More

With long-term security, Zimmerman can be a Nat for life - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-26T20:20:20Z

VIERA, Fla. - Stability and security meant more to Ryan Zimmerman than dollars and cents, so when the third baseman and the Nationals were hammering out what turned out to be a six-year extension to his current contract, the only stumbling block was something that's usually a deal-breaker for general ... Read More

Wada talks about his elbow - School of Roch

2012-02-26T19:57:16Z

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada mostly downplayed the condition of his left elbow, saying, "This is something that's not even on a level I would consider reporting in Japan." "It's a discomfort that I feel about every year and I just thought I would say something about it ... Read More

More notes from Sunday's workout - School of Roch

2012-02-26T18:56:20Z

SARASOTA, Fla. - Here are a few more items from today's workout. Later, I'll post comments from pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada, who's meeting with reporters at 2:30 p.m. Double-A Bowie catcher Caleb Joseph has reported to camp. I watched Zach Britton throw off flat ground, moving back from 60 to 90 ... Read More

Wada and Johnson updates - School of Roch

2012-02-26T18:44:24Z

SARASOTA, Fla. - Japanese pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada had fluid removed from his left elbow today and he received a cortisone injection. The Orioles will know more about his condition on Tuesday. Wada apparently develops inflammation in the elbow every year around this time, so there doesn't seem to be much ... Read More

Wada missing from workout - School of Roch

2012-02-26T17:14:29Z

SARASOTA. Fla. - Following up on my earlier tweet, pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada isn't participating in today's workout. Wada reported to the facility, but apparently is dealing with some sort of an injury. Manager Buck Showalter will provide more information after the workout. Jim Johnson threw his first bullpen session at ... Read More

Teammates say franchise cornerstone earned long-term security - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-26T14:52:54Z

VIERA, Fla. - As news of Ryan Zimmerman's long-awaited, long-term extension with the Nationals passed through the Space Coast Stadium clubhouse Sunday morning, the third baseman's teammates spoke of how much Zimmerman deserved the security afforded by the deal, which could keep him in a Washington uniform through 2020. "I ... Read More

Berken update, Strop quotes - School of Roch

2012-02-26T14:42:34Z

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jason Berken said his sore left hamstring is "definitely feeling better," but he'll go at least one more day without throwing. Berken continues to receive treatment on the hamstring, which he strained while running sprints toward the end of Thursday's workout. "There's definite improvement," he said. ... Read More

Caught in numbers crunch, Bernadina doesn't seem concerned - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-26T13:57:39Z

VIERA, Fla. - If Roger Bernadina is concerned that he might get squeezed out of the Nationals' outfield picture, he isn't letting on. In previous years, Bernadina came to camp with an opportunity to win a spot on the 25-man roster. This year, his biggest challenge might be staying with ... Read More

Zimmerman on long-term deal: "It's a relief" (updated with terms) - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-26T13:24:22Z

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman entered the Nationals' clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium around 8:10 a.m. Sunday and tried to get to his locker without any fanfare. Fat chance. He almost made it to his stall in the far corner next to the showers. But a few yards away, he ... Read More

Deal is done between Zimmerman, Nationals - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-26T13:04:43Z

VIERA, Fla. - Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman this morning agreed to a long-term extension with the Nationals, according to a baseball source. Terms and length of the deal are not yet known. Check back for more details as they become available. ... Read More

Zimmerman, Nationals move closer to long-term extension - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-26T03:59:49Z

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman and the Nationals moved closer to hammering out a contract extension late Saturday night, resolving some "last significant issues" that were holding up a deal, general manager Mike Rizzo said. The Nationals are hopeful that a deal can be announced Sunday. "We don't have a ... Read More

Johnson focuses on newcomers, impressed by hitters' progress in first workout - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-25T20:34:12Z

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson has run enough spring trainings to be able to appreciate both the excitement that accompanies the first day of full-squad workouts and the need to wisely use the time available during spring to learn as much as he can about his players, both ... Read More

Could Harper hit against Strasburg on Sunday? - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-25T20:06:41Z

VIERA, Fla. - Bryce Harper mashed a couple of pitches over the fence in right-center field during his first live batting practice session of spring training on Saturday. But he was quick to point out that the long home runs came off a spring training instructor - or what manager ... Read More

Strasburg to make Nats' first home start of spring - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-25T19:28:39Z

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg will start the Nationals' home exhibition opener against the Astros on March 4, with Gio Gonzalez making his first start for the club two days later when the Nats travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to visit the Braves, manager Davey Johnson said Saturday. ... Read More

Zimmerman, Nats still talking, getting "creative" on no-trade provision - Nationals Buzz

2012-02-25T19:08:21Z

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman's representatives continue to discuss a contract extension with the Nationals even after a Saturday morning deadline for a resolution passed, and the third baseman said a no-trade clause is "the only thing" that stands between himself and a deal with the team. "Something creative to ... Read More

Notes and quotes from Saturday's workout - School of Roch

2012-02-25T19:00:29Z

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play intrasquad games on March 2 and 3, and they'll probably add at least one more before breaking camp. My guess is the off-day on March 19 will end up being a pretty busy day for the hard-working media. Same as last spring. The ... Read More