Andy Kostka

Rizzo: Girardi a ‘con artist’ for sticky stuff checks on Scherzer

In an appearance on 106.7 The Fan's The Sports Junkies, Mike Rizzo called Joe Girardi a "con artist" and prompted the league and players' association to find a solution so an on-field scene such as Tuesday's -- with Max Scherzer nearly undressing and Girardi later ejected -- doesn't occur again.

June 23, 2021

‘This is not the answer’: MLB’s foreign substance enforcement has rocky beginning

After Max Scherzer was checked three times in the first four innings of his start for the Nationals on Tuesday, the Washington pitcher said MLB's new enforcement measures on foreign substances need a change.

June 23, 2021

Max Scherzer doesn’t hide frustration with foreign substance checks

Max Scherzer was checked for a foreign substance three times within the first four innings, including one requested by Phillies manager Joe Girardi.

June 22, 2021

D.C. United’s Moses Nyeman is playing like a veteran, even if he’s not one

The 17-year-old Moses Nyeman has featured in 19 games across the past two seasons for D.C. United, and he's already started five matches in 2021 as the team navigates the myriad injuries beleaguering the squad.

June 22, 2021

‘It would be harder to live closeted’: Spirit’s Kumi Yokoyama comes out as transgender man

Washington Spirit forward Kumi Yokoyama came out as a transgender man in a video posted Saturday: "It would be harder to live closeted."

June 22, 2021

Javier Baez benched after losing track of outs in Cubs loss

Javier Baez kept running on a one-out fly ball, leading to an easy double play and an early exit for Baez.

June 22, 2021

Wiggins earns NBA Draft Combine invite after strong G League Elite display

After impressing at the G League Elite Camp, the University of Maryland's Aaron Wiggins earned an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine taking place this week.

June 22, 2021

With strong homestand behind them, Nationals are back in NL East mix

Over the last 10 games, the Nationals have eight wins, with a combination of strong pitching and timely hitting to narrow the National League East lead.

June 21, 2021

Wander Franco, baseball’s No. 1 prospect, to be called up by Rays

Wander Franco has been on a tear for the Triple-A Durham Bulls, hitting .315 with 35 RBIs in 162 at-bats.

June 21, 2021

Schwarber’s three-homer day carries Nationals to win against Mets

Josh Harrison and Josh Bell stood up in the first row of the dugout, waving their arms in the air, calling for the 30,371 fans at Nationals Park to reach an even higher decibel. And when those cheers continued -- the loudest ones heard at this stadium since the 2019 World Series -- Kyle Schwarber emerged from the dugout.

June 20, 2021

Katie Ledecky says 15-year-old Katie Grimes is the future, and the future is now

When Katie Grimes finished third in the 1,500-meter freestyle Wednesday at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, establishing the relatively unknown 15-year-old as a swimmer worth keeping tabs on, Katie Ledecky threw in her support. "You're the future," Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, told Grimes.

June 20, 2021

With Jordan McNair in mind, father advocates for inclusion of health guidelines in national NIL bill

Martin McNair, Jordan McNair's father, spoke Thursday at the Senate Commerce Committee's hearing regarding name, image and likeness legislation, advocating for the inclusion of health and safety guidelines.

June 18, 2021

Wiggins weighs options ahead of NBA draft, with eyes on first-round selection

Aaron Wiggins has a big decision to make before the NBA draft next month: does he stay at Maryland or does he try to make it at the next level?

June 17, 2021

NFL encourages coronavirus vaccines through strict protocols for unvaccinated players

The NFL has stopped short of making vaccinations mandatory for players, but the league's loosened restrictions for vaccinated players detailed in a memo Wednesday highlights the potential challenges ahead for players who choose not to receive a coronavirus vaccine.

June 17, 2021

Veteran Espino gets first big league win for Nationals 15 years after being drafted

In his 29 big league appearances, Paolo Espino had never completed five innings. But when the Nationals needed him in Wednesday's 3-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Espino delivered the best outing of his career.

June 16, 2021

Nationals’ Castro placed on restricted list due to family matter

The Washington Nationals placed Starlin Castro on the restricted list as the infielder works through a family matter, manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday. There isn't an exact timetable for his return.

June 16, 2021

Glasnow, Bauer critique MLB’s stringent foreign substance ban

Shortly after MLB announced stricter enforcement on foreign substance use, including 10-game suspensions for violators, some pitchers had strong opinions -- and a serious gripe.

June 16, 2021

MLB cracks down on foreign substances with threat of 10-game suspensions

The punishment for pitchers found using -- or even possessing -- a foreign substance will be an ejection and 10-game suspension, according to a release from MLB on Tuesday. The enforcement will include random checks from umpires during games, beginning Monday.

June 15, 2021

Record-setting American runner blames pork burrito for positive steroid test

Shelby Houlihan, an American record holder for distance running, was banned from the sport for four years after testing positive for an anabolic steroid. But she blames a pork burrito for the positive test.

June 15, 2021

Michael Phelps ‘felt chills’ as he watched U.S. Olympic swimming trials as fan

As Michael Phelps walked onto the pool deck in Omaha during the U.S. Olympic trials -- this time as a fan rather than as a swimmer -- a familiar feeling came over him.

June 15, 2021