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

The Washington Capitals have recalled rookie goalie Phillip Grubauer from the Hershey Bears.  Grubauer was a fourth round draft pick of the Capitals in the 2010 NHL Draft.   

In 25 games this season with Hershey, Grubauer is 6-4-14 with a 2.10 GAA and a save percentage of .928.  He posted a record of 23-13-5 in 43 games with South Carolina (ECHL) last season. 

Grubauer participated in the optional skate for the Caps this morning and wears #31.

Grubauer was recalled because Michal Neuvirth is ill.  Grubauer will likely backup Braden Holtby tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Too bad it isn't regular season yet.  Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper is off to a stud of a start in the Grapefruit League.  In yesterdays 9-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves, Harper went 3 for 3 with two doubles and 2 runs scored.  Through the first four games of the Grapefruit League, Harper is 6 for 8 (.667) with 2 doubles and 2 runs. 

The game got away from the Nats in the 5th inning.  Ryan Perry was hammered for 6 hits, 2 walks, and 5 runs in 1.2 innings ptiched.  Ross Detwiler made his spring debut as starter, tossing 2.2 innings and allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, and fanned two batters.  Detwiler is gearing up to depart for the World Baseball Classic.

Ian Desmond was 2 for 4 yesterday is is 3 for 6 overall.  Anthony Rendon continues to swing an impressive bat, picking up two more hits, including a double.  Rendon is 4 for 10 (.400) this spring.   The Nats will hook up with Miami this afternoon at 1:05.

Here is more on Bryce Harper's spring tear.  Mark Zuckerman also writes on Harper's hot spring. 

Recaps:  U-T San Diego,  Wash Times,  CSN Washington,

Nats news links:

We have been keeping you updated in Nats Link on the progress of C Wilson Ramos, as he readys for the season after ACL surgery last year.  Ramos has one more hurdle to go.  He will be working on sliding.  It's just another personal challenge for Ramos. 

“It’s more mental,” Ramos said. “I was scared to block, but after blocking I felt great. Now I’m scared for sliding.”

Back in Viera, as he tied his shoes for a morning workout, Jayson Werth was asked if considered the Braves or Philadelphia Phillies a bigger threat. Werth, the former Phillie, did not hesitate.

"Phillies," he said. "I think everybody is writing them off. They played good in September, when they were healthy. They're not going to roll over, that’s for sure."

And about the Braves? "Yeah, the Braves got the Upton brothers," Werth said. "But they lost [Martin] Prado and Chipper.

Ryan Mattheus doesn't care the Nats only have one lefty at prent in the bullpen.  He is ready to face left handed hitters.  More on Mattheus new role.

Baseball Prospectus thinks Adam LaRoche and Gio Gonzalez arer in for let downs in 2013.  This article is via our Bloguin partner, The Nats Blog. 

It's the stupid craze.  So why not have Nats doing it as well.  Here is Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche doing the Harlem Shake. 

Steve Lombardozzi and Tyler Moore are playing alot, but there rosters spots are pretty locked.  Not so for Carlos Rivera.  He can make the roster, but needs to earn it. 

More on the potential spring training move by the Nats.  This writer says the move doesn't make sense. 

Pro Bowl special teamer/linebacker Lorenzo Alexander isan unrestricted free agent and the Washington Redskins are over the salary cap. Those two facts being the case, it should come as no surprise that contract negotiations may prove difficult. Alexander has rejected Washington's first contract offer and it now seems likely he will test the free agency waters next month. 

“They offered me a deal but obviously at this point I’m not going to jump into it and sign right away,” Alexander said. “There’s a lot of stuff going on. At this point we’ll play the waiting game and be patient and see what’s the best thing to do for myself and my family. Hopefully that’s with the Redskins . I don’t expect them to outbid anybody but from what I’ve done and sacrificed and what I’ve earned on the field, obviously that’s going to bring a certain dollar amount. There will be interest from other teams. But you really know when free agency starts what your value is.

Don't count the Washington Capitals out of it just yet.  After the Caps 3-0 shut out of the Southeast Divison leading Carolina Hurricanes tonight, the Caps have pulled themselves to within four points of the Divison lead.  

Caps grabbed two defensive goals for the second time this season and added a power play marker.  Nicklas Backstrom got the Caps on the score board first in the first period with a power play goal.  Backstrom was fed nicely by Mike Ribeiro in front of the net to pick up the helper, along with Alex Ovechkin.  The first period ended with a 1-0 Caps lead as they out shot the Canes 17-12.

The last two tallies came from the Caps blue line.  John Erskine unloaded a bomb in the second period to give the Caps the 2-0 lead,  it was Erskine's second gaol of the season, one day after being rewarded with a two year contract extension.  Backstrom and John Carloson picked up assists.  Caps took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission and out shot the Canes 14-8.

John Carlson scored the final goal of the game at the 11:28 mark of the third period.  The goal was assisted by Mathieu Perreault  and Joel Ward.  Both Ward and Jason chimera were held scoreless tonight, but had excellent multiple opportunities during the night.  

Braden Holtby recorded his fifth career shutout and his second blank of the season.  He improves his record to 6-6 on the season.  Holtby stopped all 33 Carolina shots.

MULTIPOINT SCORERS

Nicklas Backstrom: 1 goal, 1 assist

John Carlson: 1 goal, 1 assist

Jason Chimera led the Caps with 7 shots on goal and Carlson had 6.

Caps were1 for 4 on the power play and a perfect 2 for 2 on the penalty kill.