Surprise!

Mike Green is not on the trip to Winnipeg.  Such a shocker.

Mike Green will miss the game tomorrow because of an aggravation to his groin injury.  Green has missed three game this season due to the groin injury and now will miss Saturday, with no mention of when he may return.  

The missed injury time is sure to aggravate the Caps fan base as well.  It has this writer.  Since Green played a full slate of 82 games in the 2007-08 season, he has not played a full slate since.  More alarming is that he is missing more and more games in progression.  After the 2007-08 season, Green played in 75 games the next season.  From there, it plummets.  In 201-11, Green missed almost half the season, managing to play in 49 games.  Last season, he missed more than half, playing in just 32 games. 

Furthermore, with his missing games, his production has evaporated.  Since Green's hall mark season of 2008-09 where he put up 31 goals and 73 points, the Caps did have not even come close to that kind of production from him since.  In 81 games played between 2010 and 2012, two season, Green has provided just 8 goals and 20 assists. 

It seems the hey day of the Mike Green era has virtually dissipated to mediocrity.  The Caps signed Green to a three year extension for over $ 18 million in July of 2012.  He hardly deserved that contract, considering his inability to stay healthy and his complete lack of production over the past two seasons.    

As for the Winnipeg game, Braden Holtby will make the start for the Caps. 

The Washington Nationals recorded their second tie in the Grapefruit League, evening out a 4-4 tie with the NY Mets yesterday.  Stephen Strasburg made his second spring start, tossing 3 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 run while fanning 6 Mets.  Strasburg is working on making his sinker a more effective tool in his pitching arsenal, but gave up two singles to start the game, both on sinkers.  He then settled and fanned 6 over three innings.  He also knows the sinker is a work in progress. 

''I need to get over the idea of throwing it harder will make it better,'' he said. ''I feel like I'm just kind of throwing through the sink and it's kind of flattening out. I want to throw it a little bit slower, let it move a little bit more and I'll get better results.''

''Being so early, I don't feel like I've had enough mound time for it to just click, and not really think about it,'' Strasburg said. ''I'm still trying to feel it out a little bit. The good thing is I felt good when I came out. That's the bottom line.''

Washington's offense pounded 11 hits and 4 runs off Mets pitching. Anthony Rendon continues to swing a mean bat, going 1 for 2 with a double and 2 RBI.  The 6th overall pick of the 2011 MLB Draft is 5 for 12 (.417)  on the spring with 2 doubles, home run, and has driven in 5 runs.  Jayson Werth and Matthew Skole drove in the other two Nats runs.  CF Denard Span was 1 for 1 with a walk, 2 stolen bases, which allowed Span to score on a ground out by Werth. 

Game Recaps:  Federal Baseball, Wash Post, CSN, MASN, Nationals Prospects

On to Nats Links:

Bloguin Partner, The Nats Blog, writes that ESPN ranks the Nationals fourth overall in their future rankings.  Apparently, this ranking is how teams will fare over a five year period.  Go read it.  More on that from Byron Kerr at MASN. 

Dan Kolko prints some Friday morning Nats notes.  More notes from Bill Ladson. 

Amanda Comack at the Washington Times projects the Nats 25 man roster. 

Many teams have pretty potent camps with tons of positions up for battle.  Not the Nats.  Nats have a quiet camp and that is a good thing. 

C Wilson Ramos will be examined by team doctor on Saturday in hopes that he will be cleared to slide.  Ramos is recovering from ACL surgery. 

The Nats are keeping up with technology as they plan to roll out the smart card system for ticket holders. 

P Dan Haren likes C Kurt Suzuki and feels in sync with the catcher.  Rant Sports gives Haren some love.   Haren is pleased with the velocity of his pitches in his debut. 

3B Ryan Zimmerman is readying his spring debut for Sunday.  He will join the Nats lineup as a designated hitter.  He will take the field at third base about a week after Sunday.  Zimmerman had off-season shoulder surgery and is working himself back into third base duties. 

We've all heard and know about the lack of lefties in the Nats bullpen.  With Sean Burnett and Tom Gorzelanny departing via free agency, Zach Duke is the only left hander right now on the Nats roster in the bullpen.  However, the Nats are keeping a close eye on veteran Fernando Abad.  Davey Johnson has been impressed thus far. 

“I was really impressed with the way he threw the other day,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “The way he attacked the hitters [Wednesday], he threw a couple good curveballs. That was great. [Pitching coach Steve McCatty] wanted him to throw another inning. I said, ‘No. I want to see that again the day after tomorrow.’”

The emergence of another southpaw out of spring training would certainly give Johnson more bullpen flexibility. 

Ryan Mattheus got multi-inning work yesterday and feels pretty strong. 

As Henry Rodriguez hopes to return form off-seasons urgery, he is currently facing some forearm tightness. 

Here is a Washington Nationals season preview from SB Nation Cubs site. 

New Nats signee Chris Young threw live bullpen yesterday.  He is hoping to see game action this weekend.  Young, a veteran, was signed to a minor league deal with a spring training invitation. 

You attending Opening Day for the Nats this year?  If so, Gordon Biersch Brewery is making their debut near Nats park that day as well. 

Bryce Harper joins Mike Trout on the cover of Mens Health. 

It's pretty bad when you have had high lottery picks in the last four NBA drafts and completely failed on half of them. I give a promising incomplete on the 2010 and 2012 drafts, but John Wall and Bradley Beal appear well on their way to giving the Wizards a long term dynamic duo in the backcourt.

In 2009, the Wizards had the fifth pick in the draft and decided to trade it to Minnesota for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. What? Foye and Miller spent one injury plagued season in Washington, they departed by mutual decision with the Wiz getting nothing in return. The Timberwolves ended up taking Ricky Rubio with that pick. Two picks later, Golden State took guard Stephen Curry out of Davidson. Yes, the same Curry that scored 54 against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden last night.

While we are at it, the 2011 draft was another faliure. Picking sixth, the Wiz took forward Jan Vesely. Vesely can't play and nobody else wants him. Another wasted pick who will just fade away when his rookie contract expires. Wouldn't Kawhi Leonard look good at small forward? He was a spectacular college player at San Diego State and is really coming on for the Spurs. He was taken nine spots after Vesely. Kenneth Faried? the rebounding machine from Morehead State went pick 22 to Denver. To be fair, other than Kyrie Irving at number one to Cleveland, 2011 is shaping up as one of the worst NBA drafts of All-Time.

2007 and 2008 were no different. How about Nick Young and JaVale McGee?

Oh well, we have another chance with a fifth straight high lottery pick this summer.

The Washington Capitals made their first in-season move of 2012-13 today, claiming 27-year-old left-winger Aaron Volpatti off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks.

A hard-nosed agitator, Volpatti will add some much-needed grit to the Caps' bottom-six, and though his three goals and one assist in 54 career NHL games leave much to be desired offensively, his 11 fights add another dimension to a Capitals squad that has in the past relied on John Erskine and Matt Hendricks for almost all of its fighting.

As a left-winger, Volpatti comes into a group that has struggled badly this season. While the Caps right-wing corps of Alex Ovechkin, Troy Brouwer, Joel Ward, and Joey Crabb has combined for 23 goals, the left-wingers (Jason Chimera, Wojtek Wolski, Matt Hendricks, and Eric Fehr, who is a naturally right-winger) have combined for just nine.

Volpatti won't win the Art Ross trophy anytime soon, but he should step straight into the fourth-line against Winnipeg. This will allow Matt Hendricks and Eric Fehr, who have scored three and four goals respectively in limited minutes this season, to rise up the depth chart, perhaps even creeping into the top-six. Wolski and Chimera will likely find themselves battling to stay out of the press-box, at least for now -- the two goals scored between them have been nowhere near enough to warrant the top-six minutes they have been getting.

With Brooks Laich possibly out for the season and Marcus Johansson battling an upper-body injury, Volpatti's acquisition is a timely one for Washington. If he can add some grit and fight to a group that has lacked it in the early going of the season and maybe even chip in with some offensive production, it would be a very positive addition for George McPhee and his Capitals.

The Washington Capitals added some toughness to their forward today, acquiring Vancouver F Aaron Volpatti off waivers.  Volpatti is a physical winger willing to throw down gloves and mix it up. 

Given the fact that Volpatti has scored just 3 goals in 54 games with the Canucks, his acquisition was not likely an offensive move, but an add more grit move to the fourth line.  Volpatti was signed by Vancouver in 2010 as an undrafted free agent.  He appeared in 15 games that season, 23 games last season, and has appeared in 16 games this season.  During the 16 games this year, he has recorded 1 goal, but has accumulated 43 hits and 28 penalty minutes. 

Volpatti will join the Caps in Winnipeg for Saturday's game against the Jets. 

The Washington Nationals offense only mustered 3 hits on the day yesterday as the Nats fell to the Marlins 5-1.  Dan Haren (0-1) made his spring debut for the Nats, throwing 2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, and fanning 3. Tanner Roark was tagged for 4 runs, 4 hits, and 2 walks in 1.1 innings.  Tyler Moore, Danny Espinosa, and Steve Lombardozzi each had a hit.  

Game Recaps:  Wash Post, Federal Baseball, District Sports Page, MASN, Nationals Prospects

More on Dan Haren. 

We have all heard the news that reliever Drew Storen may have suffered back spasms during his Game 5 meltdown.  Storen refused to discuss it and not place any blame outside his individual performance.  Nats GM Mike Rizzo had no idea about the alleged back spasms. 

“And really, it was news to me about the excruciating back pain and that type of thing. We knew that he was getting some treatment. And it’s really the responsibility of the player — if he’s not ready to go, if he’s not able to go — to tell the manager and be honest with him. “But Drew’s a warrior; he’s gonna battle through things, and pitch through things,” Rizzo continued. “And the way I saw him pitch, his velocity was really good, his stuff was really good, he was just missing on some of his pitches.

Veteran pitcher Javier Vasquez was linked via many rumors and reports to have interest from the Nationals.  That interested has ended for now.  Vasquez stated he would not return to the majors this season.

Besides being a damn good catcher, Nats players also like and appreciate Kurt Suzuki's attitude and personality. 

New closer Rafael Soriano plans to make 8 appearances during the 30 games Grapefruit schedule.  The Nats will span those out over the 30 games.  More on Soriano throwing batting practice yesterday.  

Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche return to the lineup today.  Wilson Ramos will join them as DH. 

Even though this is the final season for Nats manager Davey Johnson, he has no plans to just fade away from baseball. 

More on Ryan Zimmerman bouncing back from off-season shoulder surgery. 

Another article on the future of the Nats' spring training facility and Florida Governor Rick Scott's proposal for stadium upgrades in Florida. 

Here is a World Baseball Classic preview for Team USA.

Byron Kerr writes on the Nats' second wave of prospects pushing for major league time. 

The Detroit Pistons came into the game at Verizon Center tonight with a record of 22-37, so it's not like they are unbeatable. They are to the Wizards, though, who, playing without an injured Nene tonight, have now lost six straight games to the Pistons after this 96-95 defeat. Detroit has now swept the season series from Washington. 

Washington mounted a furious fourth quarter comeback, with Trevor Ariza carrying the team on his back as far as he could and the Wizards narrowed Detroit's lead to 1 point iwth 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter. However, Washington's final play was a fiasco, as John Wall passed off to Bradley Beal, who penetrated into the lane and threw wildly out to the three point line when two Pistons defenders closed to shut him away from the basket. The ball was tipped to Ariza in the corner, just behind the three point line. Ariza lofted up a shot that looked to many in the arena and watching on TV as if it went in perfectly, giving Washington a miraculous 98-96 win. Even TV announcers Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier thought the shot was good, with Buckhantz unleashing his signature "DAGGER!" call. However, the ball fell short, an airball that harmlessly brushed against the net on its way to the floor. Bemusedly, Buckhantz "retracted" his dagger call, noting such a thing had never happened before. 

With about a minute to play the Wizards looked finished, down by 9 without the juice to do anything about it. However, that's when Ariza hit a wild three point shot and after a Pistons turnover, took a pass from Wall and hit another three point shot, cutting Detroit's lead to three. On the next Detroit possession, Ariza stepped into a passing lane about 35 feet from the Wizards basket and stole a pass. Will Bynum of the Pistons grabbed Ariza and, after much referee consultation, was called for a clear path foul. That gave Ariza two free throws and possession of the ball to the Wizards. Ariza calmly sank both free throws to narrow Detroit's lead to one point. That's when it came down to the last play and the dagger that never was. 

The Wizards started very slowly and trailed for much of the first half, but somehow managed to hold a 4-point lead at halftime thanks to fine play from Beal and Ariza. However, the Wizards forgot to come out of the locker room in the third quarter and got outscored 31-13, including a 21-2 run by Detroit. The Pistons had a 14 point lead heading into the fourth and there appeared to be little the Wizards could do about it. The Wizards slowly chipped away at the lead for most of the fourth quarter, but still trailed by nine with about a minute to play when Ariza began his heroics.

John Wall's struggles not only continued tonight, they got much worse. Shooting under 30% from the field in the five previous games, Wall fell off the map tonight with 3-9 shooting for 6 points, 4 assists and 7 turnovers. The more aggressive Wall got the worse he seemed to play.

Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe led the Pistons tonight, with 32 points and 26 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Point guard Jose Calderon contributed mightily with 18 assists. Washington countered with 15 points from Emeka Okafor, 16 from Beal and 22 from Ariza. Kevin Seraphin got out of the doghouse and off the bench long enough to contribute 12 points on 10 shots in 17 minutes. Trevor Booker started in place of Nene, but didn't do much offensively or on the boards, though he did shut down Jason Maxiell when he was in there. 

The Wizards win, when they win, more in spite of Wall than because of him lately. Whatever Wall needs to do get himself out of the horrible funk he is in right now, he must do it without delay. 

I was a guest on NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt this morning to discuss the recent improvement by the Washington Capitals, the big-time surge by the Washington Wizards and assess the standards for a successful season by the Washington Nationals. 

Check it out!

Time to provide an update on DC Pro Sports, in terms of, who is UP and who is DOWN. DC Pro sports is in high gear with the Washington Wizards looking much sharper and defeating top level teams.  They've won 14 of their last 23 games, 11 of their last 15 against teams with a .500 record or better, and have won 7 of their last 9. 

Consistency is now the key.  The Caps have won five of their last seven and sit just 4 points out of the Southeast Division lead.   Down in Viera, Florida, the Washington Nationals are underway in the Grapefruit League.  Good stuff going on in DC sports world.  Here we go . . .

STOCK UP:

G Bradley Beal:  The young 19 year old rookie has been an instrumental part of the Washington Wizards resurgence.  He also has played a critical role in the Wizards winning 7 of their last 9 games.  In 3 of the last 4 games, Beal has scored over 20 points.He was also 6 for 12 from three point range.  The rookie is continuing to pile up points and assume more of a leadership roll on this young Wizards team.   

SF Trevor Ariza:  Ariza has been playing quite well and giving 110% effort off the bench for the Wizards.  He has shown some great hustle and put up 18 points off the bench against Houston and 16 against Denver.  These are the type of bench contributions you need to win basketball games. 

Goalie Braden Holtby:  Holtby has helped propel the resurgent Washington Capitals with some pretty nifty goal tending for the Caps  In his last four games, Holtby has stopped 126 of 133 shots (.947) and posted his career fifth shutout last night against the Carolina Hurricanes.  Holtby has won five of his last seven starts and is set to start his eighth consecutive game tonight, snatching the full starting job for the Caps.  Holtby was also rewarded yesterday with a two year contract extension, paying him $3.7 million. 

F Alex Ovechkin:  Ovechkin is heating up as the season progresses, nothing a terrific 4 point night and a hat trick against New Jersey.  He has 5 points in his last two games and five goals in his last 8 games.  The captain's performance is rising as he continues trusting in bench boss Adam Oates and his move to right wing.  

F Mike Ribeiro:  Is there any hotter Cap on the ice than Ribeiro?  The answer is, no!  Ribeiro has just had a great month of February, putting up 5 goals and 9 assists.  After snapping a five game scoring streak against Tampa Bay on February 14, he has now strung together another 4 point game streak.  Over the last four games, Ribeiro has contributed one goal and four assists.  Some of those assists have been nothing short of pure beauty.  

OF Bryce Harper:  Think he missed baseball?   The kid is not only guaranteed a roster spot, but is one of the most prolific stars on the team.  When he could be resting in the Grapefruit League, instead, he insists on playing.  What a great start to the spring.  In 3 games, Harper has 6 hits in 8 plate appearances, including 2 doubles and 2 runs scored.   

3B Anthony Rendon:  Listen, Rendon is not going to make the opening day roster.  We know that.  However, Rendon is also showing why he is the number one prospect in the system and one of the most bat ready prospects in baseball.  Rendon has appeared in all four games and has 4 hits in 10 at bats.  Of the four hits, count one as a double and one a home run.  He has added three RBI.  The kid is fun to watch and could be one infield injury from the DC roster.   

STOCK DOWN:

GM Ernie Grunfield:  What a horrific trade deadline day for the Wiz.  Wiz unloaded Jordan Crawfford and got a 7'0" center, Jason Collins, who is nearly irrelevant, and Leandro Barbosa, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.  Boston ripped Washington for a player than can make a difference in exchange to Washington for players that won't make a damn difference at all.  A tpyical bad move by Grunfield, but an unfortunate, but expected outcome from Washington faithful with Gunfield in charge. 

G John Wall:  The good thing is, the Wiz are winning with John Wall struggling.  The bad thing is, John Wall is struggling.  Over the last four games, Wall has a .288 field goal percentage,. making just 13 of 45 from the field.    He has scored under 15 points in each of those four games. 

F Jan Vesely:  Vesely is not only flirting with the term 'bust' but may have earned the word 'bust'.  The 2011 6th overall draft pick has not played a game for the Wizards since February 8.  Hard to get on the floor when the coach has no confidence.  In the month of February, Vesely has played just 7 minutes.  Another good move by Ernie Grunfield.

F Wojtek Wolski:  Wolski signed with Washington in the off-season to get his hockey career back on track, having it derailed by injury.  The Caps were hoping Wolski would infuse some offense as well.  Instead, Wolski has yielded just 2 points in February and has not recorded a point since February 3 against Pittsburgh.  He has just one goal on the season.   

Now that the combine is behind us, on to free agency! But before we address that, a new 7-round mock draft. As a baseline for player availability, we use Matt Miller's projections. Miller is the NFL Draft lead writer at the Bleacher Report. Ironically, with the Redskins first round selection (St.Louis) Miller has the Rams taking Florida International safety Jonathan Cyprien, who is the favorite of the month of 'Skins "experts". If you are keeping track (I am), that would be three potentially elite defensive backs taken with Washington's original picks from "the trade". The 2014 first round pick will be the final payment for that deal. Who were the DB's with those picks in the '12 draft? LSU corner Morris Claiborne and former Florida Gator corner Janoris Jenkins.

Who the Redskins ultimately select will be greatly influenced by free agency, perhaps most importantly which of their own free agents that are brought back. This draft is extremely deep and Washington would be best served by trading back and acquiring additional picks. Obtaining a high pick next season (3rd round or higher) to offset the lack of a first rounder, should also be given consideration.

2013 NFL Draft (projected)

1st- (traded to St.Louis)

2nd- Phillip Thomas Fresno State FS- Eric Reid is the safety I love, but he projects high in the 2nd.

3rd- Darius Slay Mississippi State CB- Could be better pro than MSU first rounder Johnathan Banks.

4th- Tyrann Mathieu LSU CB- Could be nickel corner in opener and return all kicks.

5th- Shawn Williams Georgiia SS- Did you see him in the combine? 6'0" 220 with 4.4 speed!

5th- Terron Armstead Arkansas Pine Bluff OT- After the combine, I really think he gets picked higher than 5th.

6th-  Brad Wing LSU P- Not just a punter, this guy is a weapon and has chance to be best in the NFL.

7th-  Zach Line SMU RB- Skins need speed back, but Darrel Young could be cap casualty.

DISCUSS IN FORUMS