Nats Links: Nats add pitcher Chris Young
As we reported late yesterday afternoon, the Nationals signed veteran pitcher Chris Young to a minor league deal that includes a spring training invite. More on Young from CSN. And from District Sports Page.
The Nats kickoff their Grapefruit League season tomorrow against the New York Mets. Stephen Strasburg will be the Nats opening pitcher and take the mound for the Nats for the first time since September 7, 2012, when the Nationals shut him down.
Ross Detwiler likes the position he is in. For the first time since being drafted in the first round by the Nats, there is no question on whether he will make the roster. Detwiler is guaranteed the fifth start role in the Nats rotation and enters the season with full confidence in himself and from Davey Johnson.
Detwiler will use this spring to try to step forward, at 26, as one of the best left-handed starters in baseball. Overshadowed by the rest of the Nationals’ rotation, Detwiler spent the final two months last season as perhaps their best starter, a lefty who could hit 96 mph and, on some nights, take over a game with one pitch. He marked his performances with newfound body language, all smiles and shrugs.
“It just comes with being comfortable, really,” Detwiler said.
Another starter, Jordan Zimmermann, is working on his change up to make the pitch another member of his impressive pitching arsenal.
Christian Garcia is OK in terms of his stomach ailment, but awaits an MRI on forearm tightness. Garcia is confident he will be fine given the fact the tightness is in the forearm, not the elbow, which he had surgically repaired three times.
“As long as it’s not my elbow or shoulder, it’s something that at minimum we can get it fixed, in a short amount of time, too,” Garcia said.
More on Garcia from the Wash Times and CSN.
Bill Ladson reports that ctacher Kurt Suzuki likes Washington and woudl love to stay past this season.
“I love it here. I love the guys in the clubhouse. It’s a fun clubhouse. I got know quite a few of these guys really well,” Suzuki said. “They are just great guys to be around. The other part that doesn’t hurt, it’s a really good team. It’s going to be a really good team for a long time.”
Nats owner Mark Lerner appeared at the Nationals spring training yesterday. You can read from Adam Kilgore what he had to say about an All Star Game in DC, Mike Rizzo's future, a new Spring Training home, and more. Good read. More from the Wash Times. One thing Lerner said that was really postive for the franchise iis the increase the Nats have season in season ticket sales.
One thing that Lerner did say is because of timing and logistic issues, don't expect the Nats to have a new spring training home in 2014. They will likely be back in Viera.
Federal Baseball previews perhaps one of the larger battle of spring training, playing time at second base between Danny Espinosa and Steve Lombardozzi.
