Well, we made it. It was just about seven weeks ago that the Nationals began pouring in to the team's complex in Viera, Fla., ready to get spring training underway. They came through it with a few bumps and bruises (bet they didn't expect to start the season without their closer AND their cleanup hitter) but on the whole, they survived. Published April 5 2012
The Washington Nationals informed John Lannan that they did not view him as a part of their Opening Day roster in the third inning of Tuesday's exhibition finale at Nationals Park. As such, Lannan, who was told the team was planning to option him to Triple-A Syracuse after several years in their rotation, was unavailable for comment by the time the game ended. In an e-mail Wednesday evening, Lannan expressed his disappointment with the Nationals decision and informed media that he has asked Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo for a trade. Lannan said he has met with Rizzo twice to "tell him exactly how I feel," and his agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, has also spoken with Rizzo about the situation. Published April 4 2012
The Washington Nationals will workout at Nationals Park Wednesday morning and then board a plane bound for Chicago, Opening Day 2012 and the most anticipated season in their brief history. And for the first time since Opening Day 2007, they'll do so without John Lannan as a part of their 25-man roster. In a flurry of moves on the final day of spring training, the Nationals made the stunning decision to option Lannan and his $5 million salary to Triple-A and move left-hander Ross Detwiler into the rotation in his place. Published April 4 2012
in a stunning development on the final day of the spring, the Washington Nationals optioned 27-year-old left-hander John Lannan and his $5 million salary to Triple-A Syracuse. Published April 3 2012
Chad Durbin started Tuesday wearing No. 59 for the Washington Nationals. By late afternoon, the right-hander signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. Published April 3 2012
Good afternoon from Nationals Park, where we're a couple of hours away from the Nationals' exhibition finale against the Red Sox. We have cherry blossoms past the left field stands, only wisps of clouds and the designated hitter. Published April 3 2012
Roger Bernadina came out of Monday's game in the first inning after he was hit in the right knee with an errant pickoff throw from Red Sox pitcher Aaron Cook. Bernadina took the throw off the side of his knee and came out of the game almost immediately. Published April 2 2012
Six weeks ago, when the Washington Nationals descended on Viera, Fla. for spring training the composition of their projected 25-man roster looked very different. Injuries, inconsistencies and unexpected arrivals can make a big difference over the course of camp. But of all the Nationals' final roster decisions, it's safe to say pencilling in Xavier Nady's name as a bench outfielder/first baseman is not one that was on any projections in mid-February. Published April 2 2012
The night Steve Lombardozzi got his first major league hit was an emotional one. Published April 2 2012
Chad Tracy doesn't hesitate when the question is asked. It's one he's turned over in his mind countless times, to Japan and back in 2011. One he debated ad nauseam riding buses in the minor leagues for parts of the 2010 season. Published April 2 2012
Brett Carroll was sitting inside the cramped visitors clubhouse at jetBlue Park before the Washington Nationals 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox when manager Davey Johnson sidled up to him and casually gave him the only news he wanted to hear. Published April 2 2012
Outfielders Michael Morse and Rick Ankiel will both begin the 2012 season on the disabled list, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Monday. The Nationals are planning, however, for both to be ready to join Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday and begin their rehab assignments with them as they open the 2012 season in Bowie, Md. Published April 2 2012
Chad Tracy, Steve Lombardozzi, Brett Carroll, Xavier Nady all solidify spots on 25-man roster with Michael Morse, Rick Ankiel headed to disabled list. Drew Storen and Chien-Ming Wang will also open on the DL but the final pitching spot will not be decided until Tuesday. Published April 2 2012
The Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox are supposed to play a game here at sparkling new jetBlue Park at 1:10 p.m. today. That's assuming the Nationals arrive eventually. Published April 2 2012
Jason Michaels officially returned to the Nationals' organization Monday morning, agreeing to terms on a minor league deal where he'll go to Triple-A Syracuse. Published April 2 2012
The final two innings of the Nationals' 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday felt less like a spring training game, more like the real thing. From the use of closers for both teams to the tie game they had played to that point -- both using strong starting pitching performances -- there wasn't much about it manager Davey Johnson didn't like. Published April 1 2012
Washington Nationals closer Drew Storen threw off a mound on Saturday, the next step in his return from a little elbow joint inflammation that stole most of his spring training and will likely land him on the disabled list to begin the 2012 season. Storen came through the bullpen session, his first work on a mound in close to three weeks, without issue. Good news for the right-hander. And while there's still no firm timetable for his return (Nationals manager Davey Johnson speculated recently that it could be mid-April), who the Nationals take in his spot on the roster is one of their lone remaining decisions before they head north Published April 1 2012
By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
