Spring Training Live Blog
Live updates, photos and stories from Washington Nationals Spring Training in Viera.
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Reed Johnson is pumped to join the Nats. "I'm a Redskins fan!" @WTOPSportsby mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/31/2015 12:37:10 PM -
Ryan Zimmerman returned to the lineup, going 1 for 3 with a walk. Reliever Drew Storen left with apparent injury. Still no word on what.by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/30/2015 7:32:44 PM
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Washington Nationals are waiting to get healthyVIERA, Fla. — When the Washington Nationals open the regular season next week, at least three understudies are likely to take the stage. One man’s injury is another man’s opportunity.But the absence of familiar names – Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon and Denard Span — isn’t expected to last long.
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Not to be outdone, Bryce Harper crushes a no doubter to right-center. It won't land for a while yet. @WTOP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBR_TthUkAAxZ9Q.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/29/2015 5:18:04 PM -
Michael Taylor hits a leadoff homerun to give the Nats a 1-0 lead against Miami.by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/29/2015 5:14:56 PM
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Stephen Strasburg takes the mound for his start against the Mets. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBM1YnmWwAAWwLA.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/28/2015 5:16:38 PM -
From aces to duffers: how the Nats play golf
By: Andrew Mollenbeck
VIERA, Fla. — Being a pro in one sport doesn’t guarantee aptitude in another.
During their down time, some of the Nationals like hitting nearby golf courses.
Their abilities are far from equal.
Pitcher Craig Stammen is the undisputed top golfer in the clubhouse, having fired a one-under 71 this spring.
Teammates have come begging for mercy.
Read the rest at wtop.com -
Jordan Zimmermann is on the hill for the Nats. Previous days' starters Gio and Scherzer held opponents scoreless. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBHp8PdWgAAP69_.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/27/2015 7:29:39 PM -
That's dedication. Nats fans stop to copy the lineup for this afternoon's game with the Cards. #keepingthebook http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBHlDQLUUAEEAvs.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/27/2015 7:29:37 PM -
Scherzer injects competition in the clubhouse
By: Andrew Mollenbeck
VIERA, Fla. — In Max Scherzer, the Nationals added more than a prolific arm to an already-imposing rotation: They added some competition and good-natured challenges around the clubhouse.
“On any given day, we have competitions all over the place with Max and people,” says manager Matt Williams. “That’s great, that they take the time to challenge each other.”
The latest challenge came Thursday evening, one day removed from Scherzer’s six-inning, scoreless start in which he fanned nine batters. This time, he challenged starter Gio Gonzalez.
Read the rest at wtop.com. -
Gio's (Gonzalez) night is done after 5. No runs. Two hits. Starters combine for 11 innings, no runs past two days. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBDn4ClWAAAN3kj.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/27/2015 7:27:27 PM -
See the "2:01" on the scoreboard? The timer between innings this year really keeps things moving. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBDZ1COVAAAynec.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/27/2015 7:27:24 PM -
A little threat of rain, but the Nats and Mets are getting ready to take the field at Space Coast Stadium. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBDTMkJVEAE65Wq.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/27/2015 7:27:22 PM -
A young fan named Andrew shows off his homemade book, waiting for autographs from Nats players. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBC8SY2WgAAUgov.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/27/2015 7:27:20 PM -
Armed and dangerous. The Nationals rotation is in great shape. Position player injuries "not ideal" Mgr Williams says http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBC3j20XEAIv4jG.jpg
by mollenbeckWTOP via twitter 3/27/2015 7:27:15 PM -
Cloudy and 54 degrees was not part of the deal! #Nats http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-236wWWoAAdL6F.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/27/2015 2:24:37 PM -
Full squad workouts underway in Viera
VIERA, Fl. -- The 2015 Nationals Spring Training is now officially in full swing as the first full squad workouts took place on Thursday. The players rotated from field to field doing fielding drills and then taking batting practice.
Matt Williams had one word to describe the workout: eupeptic.
That’s right, eupeptic. Have you heard of it?
It means cheerful, optimistic.
Before everyone was eupeptic, Williams addressed his entire team for the first time this morning and his message was simple.
“It was just to stay with the process,” Williams said. “We have a process here that has garnered us
some success. What that is is diligence with which we go about our work, and attitude of 'it’s important to us.' Everything we do on the field is important.”Williams also had written a message for the day on the bulletin board for the players to see as they entered the clubhouse this morning: “The road to the World Series starts today.”
Why did he do that?
“Because that’s what
we want to do,” he said. “We’re here to get to that ultimate goal. We’re not alone; there are 29 other teams that have the same thought. That being said, I want to make sure that we understand that’s our goal. That is our goal to be the last one standing at the end of it.He understands that there is a lot of work to be done in meantime but wants his players to know that he is here for one reason.
We'll find out in eight months at the conclusion of the journey that began today.
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Matt Williams message to the team: The road to the World Series starts today. #Nats. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-zPXVHUAAE_QZQ.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/26/2015 9:28:34 PM -
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Bryce Harper and Ian Desmond signing for fans. #Nats http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-yTlWLXAAANT0C.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/26/2015 5:07:25 PM -
Ian Desmond in the cage taking BP. #Nats vine.co/v/O2iiiDQj3PF
by George Wallace via twitter 2/26/2015 4:40:20 PM -
Ryan Zimmermann taking swings in the cage. #Nats. http://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/570984844395737089/pu/img/6tjlGh8bDlSFpttU.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/26/2015 4:33:08 PM -
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There was a lot of talk this off season that centered on the contracts of Shortstop Ian Desmond and Pitcher Jordan Zimmermann. The main questions that keep coming up are: Will they be traded? Or, Will they re-sign after this year, the final year of their contracts?It's something that's on Matt Williams’s radar as he enters his second year as Nationals manager and something he has discussed with both of them.“We’ve had the discussion and their response is: ‘We are Washington Nationals, we’re proud of that and ready to do what we can to help our team win.’ Williams said. “I don’t think either one of them are thinking about it at this point.”The fact that their names came up a lot during the off season doesn’t bother Williams because it must mean one thing.“It means they’re both really good players,” he said. “It means they’re desirable to other teams. But at the end of the day, as we sit here right now, they are on our club and going to help us win.”Williams knows that whatever the end result is, it’s out of his hands.“What will happen, will happen,” Williams said. “Not much we can do about it at this point other than get ready for the season and play.”As of right now, both are expected to play major roles on this year’s team. That could change in an instant if Mike Rizzo receives a phone call he likes.
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He not only manages, Matt Williams also rakes the field. #Nats http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-td9uIXAAEv-cB.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/25/2015 6:34:39 PM -
Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Denard Span in the same batting group. #Nats http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-tdH5JWsAAimIi.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/25/2015 6:31:00 PM -
Bryce Harper takes his first swings of the spring. Matt Williams pitching. #Nats http://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/570651809804619776/pu/img/bX-v_66VBjP_r8Lc.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/25/2015 6:29:46 PM -
#Nats manager Matt Williams warming up and throwing BP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-tYtJtWwAAx7eH.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/25/2015 6:11:40 PM -
Voluntary workout today. Denard Span waiting to hit. #Nats. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-tXPiRUsAAQkcG.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/25/2015 6:05:18 PM -
No bullpen sessions today. Guys still working on fundamentals. Pickoff throws to first. #Nats http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-s2fQIUIAEMJt2.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/25/2015 3:42:10 PM -
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Williams still waiting on Babe impression
VIERA, Fl. -- Nationals fans will remember last year when manager Matt Williams promised to bring back his Babe Ruth impersonation, something he did during his playing days with the Giants, if the Nats pulled off 10 straight wins. Well, in August it happened. Williams didn’t want to take any focus away from the team's run at the end of the year so we’re still waiting.
During his daily availability on Tuesday, Williams was asked when he was going to do it.
“You know, I’ve made this decision,” Williams started off in a serious tone. Then, he started laughing.
“I can’t even keep a straight face, I have no idea,” he said.
The skipper went onto explain his decision and offered a pretty good comparison.
“You know, there’s some folks that speculate it’s kind of like a fine wine, right? So, if you open that bottle of fine wine, why would you try age it any further, because it’s ready to drink, right?” Williams said. “So that being said, why would you try and top what’s already been done? So that’s one avenue of thinking in that regard. The other avenue is, people asking ‘when are you going to do it?’ I don’t have a clue. I’m just trying to get through spring, man. So we’ll see. We’ll just keep people hanging.”
He was then asked about adding it to the spring training schedule that is written out on a big whiteboard on the wall next to his desk.
“No, no, see, there’s no room on the schedule,” as he points to the board. “The schedule is completely filled.”
We will continue to wait.by WTOP Sports via YouTube 2/24/2015 10:43:42 PM -
Infield practice turning two. Even the camera guy has to duck. Nobody was harmed in the making of this video http://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/570283262418898944/pu/img/6cn7qIHnQp57KaUq.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/24/2015 6:05:28 PM -
Matt Williams and coaching staff getting ready for workout. #Nats http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-oKttuVIAIWyMv.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/24/2015 5:52:36 PM -
Ryan Zimmerman enters Spring Training as the Nationals new first baseman. The first couple days he has been on the field early working one-on-one with manager Matt Williams on some of the basics of the position.
“A lot of it is just being over there, getting some experience and getting used to the responsibilities over there, “Zimmerman said. “Other than that it’s a self-explanatory position. I just have to get some experience in some games in the spring.”
Last year he moved from third base to first base to left field. This year he knows he will be the guy at first and most likely nowhere else.
“It’s nice to know where you are going to be,” he said. “It’s almost kind of like a new challenge, something that I have to prove again and prove to people that I can play over there.”
Zimmerman knows the big picture is what’s the most important.
“I think having to prove myself and having to be a big part of the team and help us win. That’s the obvious goal here, we’ve got a really good team and everyone is going to have to do their part and we should be fine.”
It’s always nice to talk to people that have played the position before to pick their brain on it. So, he obviously talked with Adam LaRoche right?
“I did last year a little bit, but he doesn’t answer in the off season,” Zimmerman said. “Obviously he’s one of the best, just being around him the last couple years, even going back to when Nick Johnson was here, Nick was one of the best too.”
He acknowledges that nobody plays the position the same and he needs to do it his way.
Perhaps the best part for Zimmerman coming into camp is that he is 100 percent healthy. -
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At 4:10 p.m., @GWallaceWTOP reports live from Viera, Florida at Nationals Spring Training. Listen: bit.ly/1zA3vzFby WTOP via twitter retweeted by GWallaceWTOP 2/23/2015 9:07:32 PM -
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Max Scherzer working on bunting. #Nats http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-ioNk5IIAAmJur.jpg
by George Wallace via twitter 2/23/2015 4:03:35 PM -
Gloves popping, Pretty good 1-2 combo #Nats vine.co/v/OQIm7btbYmF
by George Wallace via twitter 2/23/2015 3:37:37 PM
