The Nationals Enquirer

McCatty happy with "free and easy" Wang

2010-03-15T20:27:51-04:00

(Photo of TV/MASN shot by Nationals Enquirer staff. Chien Ming Wang fends off the Taiwanese media after throwing his first bullpen session of the spring on Monday afternoon.)

"I was happy with what he did. He felt good and the ball has that sink to it. It was very good to see. The arm slot looked good. He was free and easy with the ball."
(Steve McCatty, via All Nats All the Time, 3/15/2010)

Chien Ming Wang's first Nationals bullpen session of the spring is in the books.

Taiwan rejoices!

Meanwhile...

Farewell, Ron Villone. Nats make more cuts.

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Mid-Season Form?

2010-03-15T12:06:46-04:00

(Photo by Getty Images. The Nationals have laid an egg so far this Spring. Just don't mention that to Ryan Zimmerman)

"If we were 10-0, would you say we were going to win the World Series? No. So there you there you go. I don't want to say the fans don't understand. It's nothing against anybody else who's in here. Some of these guys aren't going to be on our team. It's not their fault."
(Ryan Zimmerman, via Nationals Journal, 3/14/2010)

Don't blame Pete Orr for the 0-10 spring, Zim!

Message received, Zim, but unfortunately, the major culprits so far through this little 0-10 dip are guys who ARE going to be on your team. (pssst! check your bullpen!) See Clippard, Capps, Villone, Burnett, Walker, etc. And that Tony Plush fellow. So, as much as we're 100% fully on board with the idea that Spring Training wins and losses aren't significant, you can't simply pin the 0-10 record on the "non-regulars". The regulars have been brutal. But it's only Spring Training! We get that...

But then why does Riggleman seem to be taking it so badly? Quick, someone remind Jim that Rizzo removed that "Interim" tag over the winter. You're on solid ground, Jim (*gulp*!)...

"I really don't know what the right word is. I know I don't feel good about it. I certainly would like to be 10-0. Right now, a win would be better than what we are. ... It feels terrible to lose. I don't care what you are doing. It's terrible to lose."
(Jim Riggleman, via All Nats All the Time, 3/14/2010)

Meanwhile...

Two pieces of really good news over the weekend, besides an injury-free start by Strasburg: Mike Rizzo hinting that money wouldn't drive the Desmond/Guzman and Strasburg decisions; and Mike Rizzo killing the idea of Ian Desmond as a utility guy.

Unfortunately, MASN will not be replaying yesterday's Liberty/Gardner-Webb thriller tonight, and instead will broadcast Nationals spring training baseball. Nationals/Braves at 7!?

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Strasburgeddon II (but I'd rather watch the Big South Women's Final on MASN!)

2010-03-14T11:57:13-04:00

(Photo by Getty Images. Stephen Strasburg makes his second start of the spring on Sunday against the Cardinals. Nationals fans will have to settle for listening to the away broadcast on XM/MLB Audio.)

"Our only expectations are: he threw his game. He did what we wanted him to do, what we want all our guys to do. Recovered well. Threw his side session. Took a day off and then pitching the game. You just hope that routine starts to really settle in and that becomes the norm for him."
(Jim Riggleman, via Nats Insider, 3/13/2010)

Riggleman's list of expectations for each Strasburg start (via Mark Zuckerman/Nats Insider) sounds reasonable. Our only expectation for today's 3-inning appearance is this:

"Arm doesn't fall off."

That's it. Just be healthy; oh, and maybe knock Felipe Lopez on his ass with a 100 MPH fastball up around the eyeballs, and we're happy. I'm sure it'll sound great on Cardinals radio!

While were on the topic of expectations...It seems odd that MASN (and WFED, for that matter) wouldn't have cashed in on another highly anticipated start by Strasburg by broadcasting today's game from Space Coast. Oh well; NatsTown is used to it by now. We'll just have to settle for the Cards' radio broadcast while watching the following riveting programming on MASN:

12:00 PM
MASN COLLEGE CLASSICS #10:
LOUISVILLE vs. MARYLAND (12/13/80)

2:00 PM
WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:
BIG SOUTH (LIVE)
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT FINAL

Sweet! Thank you, Mr. Angelos! We'll be watching!

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Where "little ailment" often turns into "60 days on the DL"...

2010-03-13T16:21:24-05:00

(AP Photo. The oft-injured Elijah Dukes missed his first action of the spring on Saturday because of a sore foot.)

"He has a little ailment in his foot. It's nothing serious. He has the knee issue that goes on sometimes. We just felt like, you know what, let's just wait until tomorrow and put him out there. Hopefully, these fields will be dried up tomorrow."
(Jim Riggleman, via All Nats All the Time, 3/13/2010)

Elijah Dukes was scratched from Saturday's lineup; and we cringed when we read Jim Riggleman's comments (above) about the injury. The way things work with the Nationals, Mr. Riggles pretty much just guaranteed Dukes a trip to the 60-day DL with talk like that. Just a "little ailment in his foot"; thanks Jim.

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God, Rizzo may have conflicting plans for Jesus Strasburg

2010-03-12T10:33:58-05:00

(Photo by Getty Images. Stephen Strasburg talks with Steve McCatty before The Debut on Tuesday. Judging by the look on Strasburg's face, this might be the moment where McCatty reminded him to breathe.)

"I know that God has a plan for me. Rizzo has a plan for me. It's ride from here on. It's really not a big deal to me whether it's in the Major Leagues or the Minor Leagues. ... I'm trying to learn as much as I can."
(Stephen Strasburg, via Nationals.com, 3/11/2010)

Rumor has it God would like Strasburg to start the season in the Majors. But Rizzo has other plans...

Depending on the rain (and apparently, there's been lots of it down there), Strasburg is still all systems go for Sunday vs. the Cards, with Livo making his Spring debut following Strasburg.

Meanwhile...

Nationals Farm Authority takes a look at the top names in the 2010 draft class and explores the options beyond Bryce Harper.
More cuts by the Nats Friday morning, reports Mark Zuckerman.
Chris Needham finds the dumping of Eddie Guardado to be a bit...funny. Not ha ha funny, but just...you know, funny.

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Shocker! Mayor Fenty coughs up Nats tickets to DC Council early.

2010-03-11T21:25:34-05:00

(Photo by Getty Images. Oh well, looks like we'll have to cancel that "Mayor Fenty is a prick" post we scheduled for mid-May this year.)

No Ticketgate in 2010.

With his approval rating going down the toilet and a reelection bid looming, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has coughed up the District's Nationals tickets several months earlier than usual:

During the two previous baseball seasons, Fenty (D) sparred with council members over season tickets to Washington Nationals games until weeks after Opening Day, prompting members to say that the mayor was holding their property hostage because of politics.
(via Tim Craig/Washington Post, 3/11/2010)

The letter from Neil O. Albert, City Administrator, to Vincent Gray, is short and sweet, and goes something like this:

Pursuant to our practice of the last three years [with the teensie, tiny, exception of timing], enclosed are tickets and parking passes to Suite 61 of the Nationals Park for the 2010 baseball season.

Last season, we called out the would-be-Nationals-Park-Killer for his antics in mid-May. Of course, it's possible that Fenty took one look at the state of the Nationals 2010 rotation (beyond Lannan & Marquis) and figured he'd be screwing members of the DC Council even more by giving up the tickets early than he would by holding the tickets. Is it possible Fenty hates the council now more than ever?

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No prank: Nats get last laugh on Everyday Eddie

2010-03-11T09:39:03-05:00

(AP Photo. Everyday Eddie Guardado sitting on a bucket at Nationals camp in February.)

Wow, if Eddie Guardado was pissed off in July 2008 when he got punked into thinking he'd been traded to the Nationals by the Rangers....

"I was pitching good [that year]. I was throwing the ball good. I was like, 'What the [BLEEEEEEEEP!!!!] am I gonna be doing in Washington?'"
(Eddie Guardado, via Nationals Journal, 2/23/2010)

...how pissed off is he this morning?

Mark Zuckerman/Nats Insider reports that Eddie Guardado is one of the first cuts of the Spring for the Nationals.

How the heck did Tyler Walker survive?

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Ian Desmond is probably hoping Guz decides to be a stay-at-home Dad

2010-03-11T08:47:13-05:00

(Photo of TV by Nationals Enquirer Staff. Up with Desmania!)

Desmania!

"I certainly have an open mind about it. I think Desmond was very impressive last September and he has come in doing the same thing in March. He is definitely making a strong case to be on the ballclub."
(Jim Riggleman, via Nationals.com, 3/10/2010)

Ho-hum: another day in Florida, another hit (a triple), RBI, for Ian Desmond on Wednesday.

Okay, so the .471 / .550 / .882 in 17 ABs line this spring is essentially meaningless on its own; but when you tack on the 82 ABs from September...we're having a hard time making any sort of argument for Guz starting over Des at shortstop. Well, besides that little problem of the $8 million paycheck owed to Guzzie this year...but that's not exactly an argument for playing time. Did we not learn anything from the Austin Kearns Experience?

Meanwhile, according to Bill Ladson, Cristian Guzman is back in DC:

Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman has returned to Washington D.C. to be with his wife, who is expecting a baby girl any day. It's not known how long Guzman will be away from the team.
(via All Nats All the Time, 3/10/2010)

"Not known how long Guzman will be away from the team", you say, Bill? How about: 162 games? Best wishes, Guz.

Meanwhile...

Start #2 of the spring for John Lannan against the Astros at 1:05. Good news! Charlie and Dave will take to the airwaves with today's game on WFED (listen online here).

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Another date with Dr. James Andrews for Jesus (not Strasburg)

2010-03-10T21:06:04-05:00

(So that's what Dr. James Andrews looks like!)

"We followed all the protocols and we did everything we were supposed to do. We did our due diligence on all sides. And according to our medical people, who I trust, and Dr. Andrews, who I trust ... in their opinions, which is the only thing that counts for me, we've done everything we can here. I think we're still on the right track."
(Mike Rizzo, via Nats Insider, 3/10/2010)

In other words: Don't blame us!

"I don't see how (Flores) couldn't (start on the DL). Ten days from now, we couldn't get him enough games to be ready for the season, no matter if he got back at the earliest."
(Jim Riggleman, via Ben Goessling/MASNSports.com, 3/10/2010)

In other words:

See you in 2011, Jesus Flores?

You could see this one coming: Another setback for Jesus Flores. Discomfort. Barking. Etc. Jesus Flores will spend the next ~2 weeks in Birmingham, AL, with Dr. James Andrews and friends. Not good.

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We've only just begun...

2010-03-10T09:32:30-05:00

(Photo by Getty Images: Stephen Strasburg above, was seen pushing Space Coast Stadium several feet to the right before his start on TUesday. To cap off his busy day, Strasburg rescued a kitten from a tree AND helped an old lady cross the street.)

"All the craziness, all the hype, all the anticipation -- it's all over with."
(Stephen Strasburg, via Jayson Stark/ESPN.com, 3/9/2010)

Oh no, young Strasburg, you are sadly mistaken. No, no, it has only just begun...

That was great! Now what?

"We'll make a decision about whether he's on the ballclub or not."
(Jim Riggleman, via NatsInsider, 3/9/2010)

In the wake of Strasburg's debut on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal had this assessment from an unnamed scout:

"He was very poised, threw strikes, was throwing 93 to 98 mph. The ball really jumps out of his hand. He had great finish through the zone. His changeup was 90. ...He needs to go to the minor leagues, pitch every fifth day for the first time, have some stiffness, have some adversity. But it was pretty special."
(via Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com, 3/9/2010)

So, the question is: WHEN? How does Sunday, July 4th, against a cupcake like the Mets, sound?

Meanwhile, a couple of things we're now 100% sure about:

Memo to Jim Riggleman: PLEASE stop dicking around putting Desmond in the outfield (even though he's held his own out there) and install him as his starting shortstop immediately. Desmania! Another hit, 2 more RBI for Desmond yesterday...
Mike Morse can hit!
BLS notes the Star-Tribune (MN) "Senators" headline mixup. We actually wouldn't be surprised to see the same mistake in the Washington Post.
Tyler Walker and Miguel Batista are not long for the majors.

"Obviously, it's ugly so far. It can't get worse than this."
(Tyler Walker, via Nats Insider, 3/9/2010)
Can the Space Coast Raccoon pitch?

The Nationals Enquirer

McCatty happy with "free and easy" Wang

(Photo of TV/MASN shot by Nationals Enquirer staff. Chien Ming Wang fends off the Taiwanese media after throwing his first bullpen session of the spring on Monday afternoon.)

Chien Ming Wang's first Nationals bullpen session of the spring is in the books. Taiwan rejoices!

Farewell, Ron Villone. Nats make more cuts.

Befriend the Nationals Enquirer on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

Mid-Season Form?

(Photo by Getty Images. The Nationals have laid an egg so far this Spring. Just don't mention that to Ryan Zimmerman)

Don't blame Pete Orr for the 0-10 spring, Zim!

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Strasburgeddon II (but I'd rather watch the Big South Women's Final on MASN!)

(Photo by Getty Images. Stephen Strasburg makes his second start of the spring on Sunday against the Cardinals. Nationals fans will have to settle for listening to the away broadcast on XM/MLB Audio.)

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Where "little ailment" often turns into "60 days on the DL"...

(AP Photo. The oft-injured Elijah Dukes missed his first action of the spring on Saturday because of a sore foot.)

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God, Rizzo may have conflicting plans for Jesus Strasburg

(Photo by Getty Images. Stephen Strasburg talks with Steve McCatty before The Debut on Tuesday. Judging by the look on Strasburg's face, this might be the moment where McCatty reminded him to breathe.)

Rumor has it God would like Strasburg to start the season in the Majors. But Rizzo has other plans...

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Shocker! Mayor Fenty coughs up Nats tickets to DC Council early.

(Photo by Getty Images. Oh well, looks like we'll have to cancel that "Mayor Fenty is a prick" post we scheduled for mid-May this year.)

No Ticketgate in 2010.

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No prank: Nats get last laugh on Everyday Eddie

(AP Photo. Everyday Eddie Guardado sitting on a bucket at Nationals camp in February.)

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Ian Desmond is probably hoping Guz decides to be a stay-at-home Dad

(Photo of TV by Nationals Enquirer Staff. Up with Desmania!)

Desmania!

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Another date with Dr. James Andrews for Jesus (not Strasburg)

(So that's what Dr. James Andrews looks like!)

See you in 2011, Jesus Flores?

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We've only just begun...

(Photo by Getty Images: Stephen Strasburg above, was seen pushing Space Coast Stadium several feet to the right before his start on TUesday. To cap off his busy day, Strasburg rescued a kitten from a tree AND helped an old lady cross the street.)

That was great! Now what?

(Photo of TV by Nationals Enquirer staff. Even this racoon couldn't bring himself to watch the carnage at Space Coast after Jesus's departure.)

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Chien Ming Wang's first Nationals bullpen session of the spring is in the books.

Taiwan rejoices!