SB Nation DC - Nationals Spring Training 2012: Nats Option John Lannan To Minorshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-04-04T11:28:39-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25739152012-04-04T11:28:39-04:002012-04-04T11:28:39-04:00Nationals Preseason Predictions Are All Over The Map
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<p>No one seems to know quite what to make of the 2012 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>. Everyone agrees that on paper, they have all the pieces to make a move to challenge for the National League East, but whether they actually will is another story.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a> get the American-soil version of Major League Baseball's regular season underway Wednesday night in South Florida, so outlets all over the nation are unveiling their season predictions.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/major-league-baseball-2012-dave-sheinins-predictions/2012/04/02/gIQA5lyzrS_story.html">The Washington Post</a><i> </i>didn't pick the Nationals to make the playoffs this year, but outlets farther afield weren't so pessimistic.</p>
<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview12/story/_/page/12expertpicks/espn-expert-team-predictions-2012-baseball-season">15 of ESPN's baseball "experts"</a> (one of whom, in the interest of full disclosure, was former Nationals GM Jim Bowden) predicted the Nationals to make the playoffs. Commentator Rick Sutcliffe and ESPN New York writer Adam Rubin actually picked the Nationals to make the World Series, only to lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>, respectively.</p>
<p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ys-brown_henson_passan_season_predictions_040412">Yahoo's Jeff Passan</a> predicted that the Nationals would defeat the Phillies in the NLCS (delicious) and lose to the Rays in the World Series (less delicious).</p>
<p>Over at <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/18271059/2012-mlb-cbssportscom-expert-predictions">CBS Sports</a>, Jon Heyman picked Washington to win the National League East. None of his colleagues picked the Nats higher than third, though Danny Knobler did predict that <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> would win the National League's Cy Young Award, and that <span>Jordan Zimmermann</span> would be the surprise of the league, whatever that means.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-03-30/mlb-2012-predictions-playoffs-world-series-angels-reds">The Sporting News</a> predicts the Nationals to finish fourth, while <span>Bryce Harper</span> was picked to win <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-03-30/2012-mlb-predictions-mvp-cy-young-rookie-manager-robinson-cano">National League Rookie of the Year</a>. You know, the guy who's not even starting the season with the club.</p>
<p>You get the idea. It's always nice to have a yearly reminder that sports journalism is a lot like Hollywood: "Nobody knows anything."</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/4/2925055/mlb-2012-predictions-washington-nationalsSamuel Chamberlain2012-04-03T20:52:06-04:002012-04-03T20:52:06-04:00Follow The Nationals With Yahoo MLB Full Count
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<img alt="March 28, 2012; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; A general view of a Washington Nationals catchers mask and helmet in the bullpen before a spring training game against the New York Mets at Digital Domain Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nPWPxSUVwVDSCBC1zoYR32vlBLQ=/14x0:986x648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6234430/20120328_jla_bb1_194.jpg" />
<figcaption>March 28, 2012; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; A general view of a Washington Nationals catchers mask and helmet in the bullpen before a spring training game against the New York Mets at Digital Domain Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Yahoo and Major League Baseball have teamed up to bring you MLB Full Count. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a> wrapped up their 2012 Spring Training Schedule with an entertaining 8-7 loss at the hands of the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a>. The Nationals will now head west to Chicago, where they will begin their schedule of games that count with a 2:20 p.m. matinee against the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> Thursday.</p>
<p>The season is a 162-game, six-month odyssey, and it's highly unlikely that you're going to be in front of your TV or near your radio for every single game. But you don't want to be the guy who misses a big moment, either. With that in mind, Yahoo and Major League Baseball have teamed up to bring you MLB Full Count.</p>
<p>Think of MLB Full Count as the Red Zone channel for baseball. Every day and night of the season, fans can watch live look-ins, in-progress video, and experience the most thrilling plays, along with up-to-the-second statistics, scores, news, and commentary. And the best part is, it's all for free.</p>
<p>For more information on Yahoo MLB Full Count, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/full-count/">go here</a>. Now, let's play ball.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Washington Nationals, visit </i><a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com">Federal Baseball</a><i>. For all the latest news and notes from around Major League Baseball, visit </i><a href="http://sbnation.com/mlb">Baseball Nation</a><i>.</i></p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/3/2923763/nationals-yahoo-mlb-full-countSamuel Chamberlain2012-04-03T18:53:43-04:002012-04-03T18:53:43-04:002012 Spring Training: Nationals Lose Grapefruit Finale To Red Sox 8-7
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> blew a two-run lead in the eighth and ninth innings to lose their final game of Spring Training to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a>, 8-7. Henry Rodriguez picked up the loss, despite pitching only one inning, but giving up the game winner in the top of the ninth on a double by <span>Jason Repko</span>, scoring <span>Dan Butler</span>.</p>
<p>The Red Sox built a 6-0 lead, shelling starter <span>Edwin Jackson</span> (4.2 IP, five hits, six runs) before the Nats halved it with a three-run fifth inning, thanks to a <span>Wilson Ramos</span> home run. After an Ian Desmon solo homer in the sixth, Ramos would add an RBI on a single in the bottom of the seventh inning and Washington would tie the game at 7 before blowing the lead late. In addition to Ramos' two hit, four RBI day, <span>Mark DeRosa</span> also posted two hits. </p>
<p>The Nationals will move home to D.C. for the start of the regular season but open on the road at Chicago at 2:20 p.m. ET on Thursday. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Nationals, check out <a href="http://federalbaseball.com">Federal Baseball</a> and <a href="http://baseballnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/3/2923730/2012-spring-training-nationals-lose-grapefruit-finale-to-red-sox-8-7Steven Godfrey2012-04-03T17:25:50-04:002012-04-03T17:25:50-04:00Nationals To Option John Lannan To Minors, According To Report
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<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/nationals-will-option-john-lannan-ross-detwiler-likely-the-nationals-fifth-starter/2012/04/03/gIQAVsThtS_blog.html">The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore is reporting</a> that the Nationals plan to option pitcher <span>John Lannan</span> to AAA Syracuse, ostensibly giving <span>Ross Detwiler</span> the fifth spot in the rotation.</p>
<p>The move would be a stunning decline for Lannan and the Nationals organization. Last year the left hander was the Opening Day starter for Washington (he's earned that honor twice), and won 10 games with a 3.70 ERA. According to the Post, Lannan is assumed to be the highest paid player (due $5 million this season) assigned to the minors this year.</p>
<p>The presumed move of Detwiler to the rotation (even temporarily) means the Nationals will have spots for both <span>Craig Stammen</span> and <span>Ryan Mattheus</span> in the bullpen, aided by the fact that <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/3/2923500/2012-braves-spring-training-atlanta-braves-sign-reliever-chad-durbin">Chad Durbin was signed by the Atlanta Braves</a> on Tuesday, opting out of his minor league deal with Washington.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a>, check out <a href="http://federalbaseball.com">Federal Baseball</a> and <a href="http://baseballnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>. </i></p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/3/2923537/nationals-option-john-lannan-minors-washington-baseball-mlbSteven Godfrey2012-04-02T17:05:34-04:002012-04-02T17:05:34-04:00Roger Bernadina Injury: Nationals Outfielder Expects To Be Ready For Opening Day
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<p>The Washington Nationals should have their starting centerfielder <span>Roger Bernadina</span> ready to go for the start of the season. Bernadina suffered a contusion on his right knee in a Monday spring training game. According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Bernadina <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AdamKilgoreWP/status/186908019207053312" target="_blank">is expected to be "fine" for opening day</a>.</p>
<p>Bernadina iced his knee, which was hit on an errant pick off throw, to reduce the swelling. He delivered his own diagnosis to Kilgore. Bernadina happened into the starting centerfield job after <span>Rick Ankiel</span> landed on the disabled list recently. <span>Brett Carroll</span> replaced Bernadina in Monday's game against the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a>.</p>
<p>Bernadina hit .243/.301/.362 with seven home runs in 91 games last season. He has a .668 OPS since first seeing major league action with the Nationals in 2008.</p>
<p>Washington added Ankiel and three other players, including reliever <span>Drew Storen</span>, to the disabled list on Monday.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a>, visit </i><a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com">Federal Baseball</a>. <i>For the latest news from around the major leagues, visit </i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/2/2920934/roger-bernadina-injury-nationals-opening-dayRyan Van Bibber2012-04-02T14:04:50-04:002012-04-02T14:04:50-04:00Roger Bernadina Injury: Roger Bernadina Leaves Spring Training Game With Right Knee Contusion; Listed As Day-To-Day
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<p>In the wake of announcing that <span>Rick Ankiel</span>, among others, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/2/2920294/nationals-spring-training-2012-michael-morse-injury-disabled-list-drew-storen-rick-ankiel/in/2573915">would start the season on the disabled list</a>, Nationals manager <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AdamKilgoreWP/status/186855342888591361">Davey Johnson suggested </a>that <span>Roger Bernadina</span> would start the season in center field. If what happened in Monday's spring training game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> turns out to be serious, Johnson might want to move down the depth chart a little further.</p>
<p><a charset='"utf-8"></script>"' href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>Wow,%20the%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/search/%2523Nats%22>#Nats</a>%20can't%20catch%20an%20injury%20break.%20Roger%20Bernadina%20running%20to%202B%20on%20an%20errant%20pick%20off%20throw.%20He's%20hurt.%20coming%20out%20of%20the%20game.</p>%E2%80%94%20Amanda%20Comak%20(@acomak)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/acomak/status/186871172984619009%22%20data-datetime=%222012-04-02T17:42:14+00:00%22>April%202,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src="></a></p>
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<p>Wow, the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Nats">#Nats</a> can't catch an injury break. Roger Bernadina running to 2B on an errant pick off throw. He's hurt. coming out of the game.</p>
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) <a data-datetime="2012-04-02T17:42:14+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/acomak/status/186871172984619009">April 2, 2012</a>
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<p><a charset='"utf-8"></script>"' href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>Sounds%20like%20the%20pickoff%20throw%20from%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/search/%2523redsox%22>#redsox</a>%20pitcher%20Aaron%20Cook%20hit%20Bernadina%20in%20the%20leg.</p>%E2%80%94%20Amanda%20Comak%20(@acomak)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/acomak/status/186871923303657472%22%20data-datetime=%222012-04-02T17:45:13+00:00%22>April%202,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src="></a></p>
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<p>Sounds like the pickoff throw from <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523redsox">#redsox</a> pitcher <span>Aaron Cook</span> hit Bernadina in the leg.</p>
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) <a data-datetime="2012-04-02T17:45:13+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/acomak/status/186871923303657472">April 2, 2012</a>
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<p>You can follow along with this afternoon's game here. <span>Brett Carroll</span> has come in to pinch-run and play center field in Bernadina's place.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE: </b>From the horse's mouth:</p>
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<p>Roger Bernadina left today's game with a right knee contusion. He is day-to-day.<a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Nationals">#Nationals</a></p>
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationalsPR/status/186877166514995200" data-datetime="2012-04-02T18:06:03+00:00">April 2, 2012</a>
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<p><i>For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>, visit </i><a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com">Federal Baseball</a>. <i>For the latest news from around the major leagues, visit </i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/2/2920451/roger-bernadina-leaves-spring-training-game-with-injurySamuel Chamberlain2012-04-02T13:07:31-04:002012-04-02T13:07:31-04:00Nationals Spring Training 2012: Michael Morse, Drew Storen, Rick Ankiel, Chien-Ming Wang To Disabled List
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<p>What had been expected for some time became official Monday afternoon, when <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nationals</a> manager Davey Johnson announced that infielder/outfielder <span>Michael Morse</span>, outfielder <span>Rick Ankiel</span>, pitcher <span>Chien-Ming Wang</span>, and reliever <span>Drew Storen</span> would all start the season on the disabled list.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AdamKilgoreWP/status/186854550093832192">Adam Kilgore of <i>The Washington Post</i></a><i>, </i>Johnson is looking to have both Morse and Ankiel available for the first home series of the year, which begins April 12 against the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a>. Morse is continuing to recover from a lat strain that limited his time at the plate this spring, while Ankiel is dealing with a tight left hamstring. </p>
<p>As for the pitchers,<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/as-drew-storen-makes-progress-the-nationals-must-choose-between-ryan-mattheus-chad-durbin/2012/04/01/gIQAFJK5oS_blog.html"> Storen threw off a mound</a> Saturday morning for the first time since disclosing that he was suffering from elbow inflammation. Wang is recovering from a strained left hamstring suffered on March 15.</p>
<p>The announcements mean that the Nationals' Opening Day roster will include free agent signings <span>Brett Carroll</span> and <span>Chad Tracy</span>, young infielder <span>Steve Lombardozzi</span>, and veteran <span>Xavier Nady</span>, who signed with the Nationals as a free agent in March.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Nationals, check out </i><a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com">Federal Baseball</a>.</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/2/2920294/nationals-spring-training-2012-michael-morse-injury-disabled-list-drew-storen-rick-ankielSamuel Chamberlain2012-04-01T17:24:58-04:002012-04-01T17:24:58-04:00Nationals Spring Training 2012: Gio Gonzalez Looks Sharp In Spring Finale
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<p>The 2012 Major League Baseball regualr season is days from beginning, with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> joining their fellow teams by wrapping up exhibition play in the sunny locales of Florida and Arizona. On Sunday, the Nationals and lefty <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> 2-1, with Gonzalez looking primed for the season to begin.</p>
<p>Gonzalez allowed just one run in five innings, on three hits. He walked only one batter, while striking out seven Cardinals hitters, raising his spring strikeout total to 26.</p>
<p><span>Danny Espinosa</span> hit his first home run of the spring, ending a 0-for-12 slump. It was just the thrid extra base hit of the spring for the Nationals second baseman.</p>
<p><i>We'll have much more on Spring Training here at <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/"><b>SB Nation DC</b></a> in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out SB Nation's Nationals blog, <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/"><b>Federal Baseball</b></a>, for more news and notes. And don't forget to visit <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a>, the MLB hub of SB Nation for information from around the league.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/4/1/2918657/nationals-spring-training-2012-gio-gonzalezT.J. Doyle