New leadership brings experience with fresh eyes on Nats' draft plans
WASHINGTON – The Nationals are approaching the Draft this weekend with a new front office that brings plenty of experience to the process. In their first season with Paul Toboni as president of baseball operations and a revamped staff, the Nationals will begin this chapter with the No. 11 overall
Wood slugs 2nd career slam, and this one was hardly an inside-the-parker
WASHINGTON -- Finally, James Wood could savor this grand slam. The first of his career was an inside-the-park spectacular that had him hustling around the basepaths on May 19. There was no time to celebrate until he crossed home plate and caught his breath. On Monday night, he had an
Cavalli begins 5-game suspension for role in Fenway Park incident
WASHINGTON -- Following an appeal, right-hander Cade Cavalli began serving a five-game suspension on Monday stemming from the fracas between the Nationals and Red Sox last Tuesday at Fenway Park. Cavalli initially was suspended for seven games for his actions initiating and during the benches-clearing incident that centered around him
'Pretty lit': Pair of Nats' 1st HRs of season kick off rout of Sox
BOSTON -- On July 1, two players who made the Opening Day roster hit their first home run of the season. Andres Chaparro and Nasim Nuñez connected on their first dingers in the Nationals’ 10-2 win over the Red Sox on Wednesday afternoon at Fenway Park.
'It'll never happen again': Cavalli, GM Toboni address comments, brawl
BOSTON -- Cade Cavalli and Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni addressed the media on Wednesday, the morning after a benches-clearing fracas at Fenway Park that was prompted by Cavalli shouting “Sit down, boy!” at Boston's Willson Contreras after a strikeout. “I'm extremely torn up about the way that
Toboni previews his first Trade Deadline with Nats
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Benches clear at Fenway as things get heated after Willson Contreras strikes out
BOSTON -- Things got heated at Fenway Park on Tuesday night, when Nationals righty Cade Cavalli struck out Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras looking on a 3-2 sweeper to get the second out of the fourth inning. What initially looked like a routine strikeout became a lot more when
Cavalli K's career-high 13, shrugs off fourth-inning dust-up with Contreras
BOSTON – In a game marred by a benches-clearing melee, Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli delivered a career-best 13-strikeout performance as Washington topped the Red Sox, 8-1, on Tuesday night at Fenway Park. Cavalli retired 19 batters in a row to conclude a seven-inning outing. He allowed just one hit
Parker diagnosed with Grade 3 UCL strain, likely to undergo Tommy John surgery
BOSTON – Left-hander Mitchell Parker was diagnosed with a Grade 3 UCL sprain on Tuesday. The likely course of action will be undergoing Tommy John surgery. Parker exited Sunday’s game in Baltimore following a sudden plummet in velocity. He was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation
Wood crushes monster leadoff HR -- with inspiration from Teddy Ballgame
BOSTON – James Wood went exploring on Monday. He walked over to the Fenway Park bleachers and made his way up to Section 42. In Row 37, Seat 21 is painted a distinguishable red. It represents a feat that lives in baseball lore: the location of Ted Williams’ 502-foot home
For Butera, upcoming Boston series calls to mind 'all-time favorite player'
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.
Reeling Nats waiting for someone -- anyone -- to step up in bullpen
WASHINGTON – The Nationals had seen this ending before. Unfortunately for them, it happened twice in the previous two days. The Nationals’ bullpen blew a late-inning lead against the Phillies and allowed a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning for the third game in a row – this time, on
'We've got to find a way': Nats left spinning after 2nd straight last-strike loss
PHILADELPHIA -- The Nationals found themselves in the same position on Wednesday as they were in the previous night: one strike away from a comeback win against the Phillies. Then, the Nationals found themselves in the same position they were in the previous night -- again: on the losing end
Getting to know Sam Petersen, Nats prospect (and ping pong lover)
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.
Lord's rare misstep puts Nats on losing end of back-and-forth battle with Phillies
WASHINGTON -- The Nationals had the Phillies right where they wanted them, as an eighth-inning comeback had put them on the brink of winning the first two games of a four-game divisional matchup. With the lead and their top reliever on the mound, the Nationals had confidence in getting the
Butera looking forward to returning to old stomping grounds
WASHINGTON -- The Nationals' road trip took manager Blake Butera to a very familiar city, yet in an extremely different role. This weekend, Butera returns to Tampa for the first time as a Major League manager.
Four pitches cost Nats a chance to seize a golden opportunity
WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have been playing their best baseball in years, momentum they would have liked to take into a stretch of seven consecutive games against playoff contenders. But before they play three games in Tampa and host the Phillies for four, the Nats were stifled by the Royals,
Nasty Nas! Nothing stops Nuñez in historic all-around masterpiece
WASHINGTON -- Nasim Nuñez narrowly missed his first home run of the season. Instead, he ended up with an all-around game that showcased his speed, athleticism and grit. “My best big league performance, in my opinion,” Nuñez said. “It was pretty cool. I showed off all my tools, and then
Herz takes big step in TJ rehab with 1st Single-A start
WASHINGTON -- For the past 17 months, each day DJ Herz spent at the Nationals' training complex recovering from Tommy John surgery felt like “forever” to the southpaw. Then, on Tuesday, he looked up and he was in Fredericksburg, Va., to make his first rehab start above the Rookie level.
Abrams atop All-Star voting ... but where's Wood? Nats pitch their OF star
Read our story on the balloting format, which includes two phases of fan voting to determine the All-Star starters.
Nats icon Robles returns love to fans after ovation
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.
Crews shows off all the tools as Nats beat Mariners
WASHINGTON -- Dylan Crews left his fingerprints all over the Nationals’ 8-3 win over the Mariners on Saturday at Nationals Park. Appearing in his 21st game after beginning the season in Triple-A Rochester, Crews exuded confidence in multiple facets of the game.
Littell struggles after rain delay as Nats pivot to unplanned bullpen game
WASHINGTON -- A delayed start and an early exit. The Nationals faced the unexpected on Friday, ultimately turning to a bullpen game as they struggled to find offense in their 10-2 loss to the Mariners.
Cornelio puts rough debut behind him with encouraging outing against D-backs
PHOENIX – Riley Cornelio has put the struggles of his Major League debut behind him, and he is ready for a fresh start – out of the Nationals’ bullpen. The Nats recalled Cornelio from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday after optioning right-hander Cole Henry to the Red Wings. Cornelio joined the
Nationals' hot bats only get hotter in the desert
PHOENIX – The Nationals had a quick turnaround from a Friday evening matchup to a Saturday afternoon matinee at Chase Field. Their bats didn’t cool off overnight. In fact, they claimed a two-run lead just two batters into the game. After hitting five home runs in the series opener, the