“It feels good,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenge, it’s going to be a test. I think I’m ready for it. I trained really hard this offseason to hopefully answer the bell and throw 200-plus innings and be the guy in the rotation that can be reliable. To go six, seven, eight, hopefully nine innings this year, every time out.”
As you recall, the decision to shut down Strasburg last season did not sit well with Strasburg himself. However,
Strasburg has clearly put that behind him as he readies for the 2013 season.
"I'm 100% over it," Strasburg said of his season's abrupt conclusion, mandated by general manager Mike Rizzo to ensure Strasburg's safe recovery from 2010 Tommy John surgery. "I think it was fun last year watching it," Strasburg said of the Nationals' run the NL East title. But I'm moving on and I'm excited to get into the season and see what we can do as far as having a target on our back."
Meanwhile, Jack del Porto for MLB Reports writes on an unrestricted season for Strasburg and Cy Young possibiltiies. More from Nats Enquirer on Strasburg
wanting to be a work horse this season.
Here is a spring training MLB preview from the AP.
Rant Sports thinks Joe Torre's nod to Gio Gonzalez for the World Baseball Classic is a good sign that Gio will not be suspended by baseball for his name's appearance linked to the Miami PED biogenesis clinic.
The reason that Gonzalez being invited by Torre is a good sign is connected to Torre’s position as the vice president of player operations for MLB. Torre works directly for commissioner Bud Selig in this capacity. This means that if anyone knows whether Gonzalez is in danger of being suspended Torre does. One would have to think that if there was any chance that Gonzalez would be suspended then Torre would not have invited him to pitch for Team USA.
Speaking of the World Baseball Classic,
count Nats 2B Danny Espinosa out. Espinosa was set to join Team Mexico, but will bow out to continue rehabbing his shoulder. As reported earlier, Espinosa has a torn rotator cuff. Instead of opting for surgery, Espinosa chose to strengthen muscles around the rotator cuff and rehab the shoulder. Espinosa believes he made the right secision in his shoulder.
“My shoulder is stronger now than it was when it was healthy,” he said. “Going through the last three, four years and having something ache, not knowing what was wrong to blowing it out, at this point, if I maintain it, I’ll be fine. As long as I continue to do my stuff and I take care of myself, which I’ve always done, I’ll be perfectly healthy.
C Wilson Ramos
says his repaired torn ACL is near 100%. His last test of his knee will be blocking balls in the dirt, they very act that caused his torn ACL. Ramos admits, the fear of blocking balls has more to do with the mental aspect than the physical aspect of his knee.
The arbitration date for Jordan Zimmermann has been set for next week. No doubt, both parties would like to avoid arbitration with a long term contract extension.
According to Zimmermann, 'a little progress' has been made.
“We’ll see what happens,” said Zimmermann, after throwing on Monday morning ahead of Tuesday’s report date for pitchers and catchers in Viera. “The case is Feb. 19, so it’s creeping up on us. But we’ve got a few things to work out yet and we’ll see what happens.”
This should be a huge priority for GM Mike Rizzo, as we assume it is. Bryce Harper, Strasburg, and Zimmermann are the center piece of the Nats youthful base.
Rant Sports agrees with us that Zim shoudl receive a long term deal.
Michael Nargi writes on four Nats that are fighting for roster spots. They list Henry Rodriguez, Anthony Rendon, Nathan Karns, and Matthew Skole. Outside Rodriguez, none of these guys will make the opening roster. All need additional minor league seasoning before the call to the big club.
WUSA channel 9 in DC will broadcast 20 gamesd through Simulcast with MASN this season.
Baseball is back in the District! Sort of. Something to get excited about though. Nationals pitchers and catchers report to Sporing Training today, officially kicking off spring training. 
