With help of physical therapy, Barnes nears Opening Day nod
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The weights were lighter, the movements were slower and the results have been strong. Right-hander Matt Barnes is back on the mound after recovering from surgery to repair a hip impingement last July. After 10 years in the Major Leagues, the 33-year-old righty reliever is
'He’s the right guy': Nats award Gray with 1st Opening Day start
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Right-hander Josiah Gray thought he was walking into an ordinary pitcher’s meeting when manager Dave Martinez and pitching coach Jim Hickey asked to speak with him this week. Instead, Gray was informed he was named the Nationals' Opening Day starter for the 2024 season on
Injuries & Moves: Finnegan (back) throws bullpen
LATEST NEWS
Two Nats prospects make All-Spring Breakout Teams
The first Spring Breakout is in the books and if these four days of prospect spotlight showcases mean anything, the future of the game is in very good hands. On Monday, MLB announced the inaugural All-Spring Breakout Team, composed of 30 players across 18 organizations (six teams did not play
These prospects stood out most in Spring Breakout
As the inaugural Spring Breakout weekend comes to a close, there was no shortage of talent on display. With dozens of Top 100 prospects and nearly two-thirds of the 900 players who make up the team Top 30 prospects lists taking part, each club was well represented … but a
1 player from each team making a big impression this spring
As we near the end of Spring Training, and with Opening Day right around the corner, it's time to check in on which players around baseball have made the biggest impression on each club during Cactus League and Grapefruit League play. With the help of all 30 MLB.com beat writers,
This versatile Nats prospect got his glove ... where?
This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Projecting the Nats' 2024 Opening Day roster
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- With nine days left in camp, it’s time for the third projection of the Nationals’ 2024 Opening Day roster. The biggest questions remain in the starting rotation and bullpen, with the roles of position players becoming more clear. Here is the latest look at who
Nats' prospects bring heat, energy to Spring Breakout
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The inaugural Spring Breakout saw the Nationals' top prospects from across affiliate levels take the field together in a big-picture snapshot of the club’s future. From players who were in high school last year to those who are knocking on the door at the big
Nats' White rebounds with authority at Spring Breakout
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – It admittedly took T.J. White some time to put his 2023 season out of his mind. His .170 average for Wilmington was third-worst among 259 batters with at least 250 plate appearances while his 36.4 percent strikeout rate placed eighth among the same group. He
Triple-A affiliate to host cosmic showdown in '24
This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.
Local kid drawing eyes in camp with Nats
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Infielder Trey Lipscomb, Washington's No. 16 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is a local kid. He is from Frederick, Md., which is about an hour away from Nationals Park. So it would be fitting if Lipscomb made his mark at that stadium this year. Lipscomb’s
After whirlwind '23, No. 17 prospect Pinckney finding his place
JUPITER, Fla. -- At first glance, Nationals outfielder Andrew Pinckney is low key with a soft tone in his voice. But don’t be fooled. The man from Peachtree City, Ga., can rake. After being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama,
Martinez's message turns Irvin's spring around
JUPITER, Fla. -- A talk with Nationals manager Dave Martinez turned on a light switch for right-hander Jake Irvin, and it paid off handsomely in a 2-1 victory over the Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Irvin was at his best, throwing a Spring Training-high five scoreless
Rizzo, wife Jodi launch The Rizzo Family Foundation
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- When Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo thought back to moving to Washington, D.C., 19 years ago, he felt compelled to do something to show his appreciation for the city. On Tuesday, he and his wife Jodi announced the launch of The Rizzo Family Foundation. “It’s
Check out these MiLB promos that celebrate women in sports
Innovation and family-friendliness have long been hallmarks of Minor League Baseball, so it only makes sense that Minors teams are continually seeking ways to make their ballparks more welcoming -- and more fun -- for girls and women. More and more Minor League teams are finding creative ways to celebrate
Who's your favorite Nats player's favorite autograph?
This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Williams, Davies give Nats options for rotation, bullpen
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals have two go-tos for closers and a handful of previously scarce left-handers for their 2024 Opening Day bullpen. What is still to be determined in camp, though, is a long reliever. Washington has leaned on that role in the past, and it is
1 position battle to watch for each team
With the first few rounds of cuts behind us, clubs are getting a clearer picture of what their rosters are going to look like to open the 2024 season. Even so, every team still has at least one key question mark -- a role that remains, for all intents and
Every team's projected 2024 home run leader
Spring Training is in full swing as we gear up for the 2024 regular season. That means it's a good time to look at projections for how things might turn out this year, and as usual, home runs are at the forefront of that discussion. Courtesy of FanGraphs’ Steamer projections,
Rosario brings experience, versatility to Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Playing in the NL East with the Braves parts of the last three seasons, Eddie Rosario is no stranger to the Nationals. This camp, the veteran outfielder will vye to become a member of the team he has faced throughout his nine-year career. “They gave
See where Washington lands on 2024 farm system rankings
We rank farm systems twice a year, and while we spend a lot of time breaking them down, evaluating the talents of 5,000 players across 30 different organizations is a fairly impossible task. We often joke that one team congratulates us on placing them perfectly, while the other 29 lament
Sykora aiming to channel hero Ryan's advice in 1st pro season
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Travis Sykora knocked on the door. He knew who was on the other side, and as much as he wanted to run right in, this entrance was monumental. It’s not every day Nolan Ryan is there to talk to you. “It’s pretty surreal,” said Sykora,
'It's always a good feeling': Crews launches 1st spring HR
JUPITER, Fla. -- Dylan Crews belted 58 home runs during his stellar, three-year collegiate career at LSU. On Wednesday, the No. 2 overall pick in last year's Draft connected for his first of Major League Spring Training. Crews rocked a changeup from Marlins southpaw Jesús Luzardo for a two-run homer