The Nationals knew they'd have to start the season with some integral parts of their roster on the disabled list. Michael Morse, Drew Storen and Chien-Ming Wang are expected to begin the year there as they each work back from injuries that are not considered major but aren't ones to be rushed, either. Add another name to the probable list as Rick Ankiel is still struggling with some left quad tightness that has hampered him for much of the spring. If he can't get into a game in the next three days, which appears likely at this point, Ankiel may have to start the year on the disabled list, backdated to March 27. Published March 31 2012
To this point in the spring, the Washington Nationals have been non-commital when it comes to infielder Steve Lombardozzi and whether or not he's a lock for the team's 25-man roster. His play has made the decision on whether he's a bona-fide major leaguer an easy one. That, they feel he is. Published March 31 2012
There is a batters eye in center field at Space Coast Stadium that stands 35 feet high. It's the width, though, that many left-handed hitters have taken issue with this spring. Published March 30 2012
The news on the Nationals injuries seems to be getting better each day so here's a rundown of where things stand before the team's 6:05 p.m. game against the Marlins (which will be on MASN). Published March 30 2012
The Washington Nationals took one more step toward finalizing their 25-man roster before Opening Day by purchasing the contract of outfielder Rick Ankiel and essentially confirming that he will be their starting center fielder. Published March 30 2012
Edwin Jackson was superb in six scoreless innings of work on Thursday. So efficient that he didn't even reach his allotted 85-pitch limit, Jackson kept his pitches down in the zone, got early contact and fell into a rhythm -- which seems to be key for the right-hander. Published March 29 2012
In the morning, Washington Nationals outfielder Brett Carroll watched as the man who’d been his primary competition for a spot on the team’s bench all spring quietly packed up his belongings. In the afternoon, Carroll all but solidified his own place on the roster. Published March 29 2012
The Nationals got one of their injured starters back on the field Thursday as Adam LaRoche was in the lineup for the first time since March 15. LaRoche, who was 1-for-2 with a walk, came through the game without any issues with the bone bruise on his left foot. He is expected to be in the Nationals' lineup on Friday and there should be nothing holding him back from starting each game until the regular season begins next Thursday. Published March 29 2012
The Nationals cut three players Thursday morning, reassigning outfielder Jason Michaels and infielder Andres Blanco to minor league camp, and optioning left-hander Atahualpa Severino to Triple-A Syracuse, but they weren't finished for the day. They brought left-handed starter Zach Duke, released by the Astros earlier this week, in on a minor league deal and he'll head to Triple-A Syracuse as starting pitching depth. They also optioned out right-handed reliever Ryan Perry. Michaels was ultimately released before day's end. Published March 29 2012
The Nationals had a welcome return Thursday when Adam LaRoche was in the lineup for the first time since March 15, but moments before their 1:05 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves, utility man Mark DeRosa was scratched. Published March 29 2012
Nationals finalize their rotation order heading into the season. Published March 29 2012
The Nationals will leave Viera, Fla. for good on Sunday, traveling south to Jupiter to play the Cardinals and then across the state to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. After that, though, their only path will be north. North to D.C. for an exhibition against the Red Sox on April 3 and north again to Chicago for Opening Day. As of Thursday morning, Nationals manager Davey Johnson had decided that outfielder Michael Morse and closer Drew Storen would be making the trip with the team. Published March 29 2012
The Washington Nationals trimmed the roster to 34 Thursday, reassigning outfielder Jason Michaels and infielder Andres Blanco to minor league camp while optioning left-hander Atahualpa Severino to Triple-A. Both Michaels and Blanco have opt-outs on their minor league deals so the two players will have to decide in the coming days whether or not they would be willing to go to Triple-A for the Nationals or see if they can find a major league job elsewhere. Published March 29 2012
The Nationals next round of cuts is nearing, perhaps as soon as this afternoon. So with the one-week countdown to Opening Day officially on, let's go through a projection for the Nationals' roster and discuss their remaining decisions. Published March 28 2012
Jordan Zimmermann needed just 68 pitches to throw six effective and efficient innings on Wednesday in his penultimate spring start. Published March 28 2012
The Washington Nationals got what manager Davey Johnson termed "the best news I had" all day when outfielder Michael Morse underwent a sonogram that showed the slight tear in his right lat muscle is healing. Published March 28 2012
The news on both Nationals' closer Drew Storen and outfielder Michael Morse Wednesday morning was good -- both are pain free and threw for the first time yesterday without incident -- but came with a caveat. With spring training dwindling, both appear likely headed to the disabled list for the start of the 2012 season. Published March 28 2012
Xavier Nady, the versatile veteran the Nationals signed to a minor league deal on March 18, is in the Nationals' lineup today, hitting seventh and playing first base. Published March 28 2012
Former Nationals president Stan Kasten officially reached "the next move" on Tuesday night when Dodgers owner Frank McCourt selected his group from three MLB-approved bidders as the next owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kasten, who teamed with Magic Johnson and a group of investors, pledged a record $2.15 billion to purchase the Dodgers and help extricate them from the once-bankrupt tendrils of McCourt. Published March 28 2012
Brad Lidge needed nine pitches to retire the Miami Marlins in bottom of the eighth inning Tuesday afternoon. If the stadium radar gun is to be believed, he was throwing fastballs in the 91-92 mph range and mixed in a few sliders. Published March 27 2012
By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
