District Daily: 3/3
By Pablo Roa
Mar 2, 2014; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder
Jayson Werthwarms up before a game against the Miami Marlins at Space Coast Stadium. Werth was a late scratch due to a biceps injury, said manager
Matt Williams(9) after the game. Mandatory Credit:
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Checkout some Nationals articles from around the web:
Fister due to step from shadows of rotation mates
VIERA, Fla. — Baseball’s ultimate wingman was center stage for the Nationals on Sunday, working for the first time in a Washington uniform. Doug Fister didn’t seem embarrassed by the attention, but don’t expect him to start his own blog or otherwise campaign for a higher profile anytime soon.
He knows his role as well as anyone in the Major Leagues, even if a move to the National League could help him to outgrow it.
The 30-year-old Fister is a good bet to give the Nationals 30 starts and 200 quality innings, and based on his consistent work in recent years might be the No. 1 starter on some Major League teams. But not with the company he keeps.
It’s hard to stand out when you work alongside guys like Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann, among others. Put Gio Gonzalezbehind Strasburg and Zimmermann and Fister will have shared a starting rotation with nine All-Star pitchers in his career. Read full article here.
Washington Nationals’ Danny Espinosa Already Making Strides at the Plate
…Espinosa got the first crack at playing second base for the Nationals Friday when they faced the New York Mets. Espinosa showed some signs that he could be back to his 2011 first half form with some positive signs in his at-bats. Sure, Espinosa was 0-2, but there were some positive signs from Espinosa against the Mets.
First off, Espinosa took both of the first pitches thrown to him, which is good because Espinosa tends to sometimes be antsy at the plate and jump on a pitch a little too early. Another positive sign was Espinosa laid off a pitch that he never was able to resist before, which is the fastball high and away, usually around the batter’s shoulders. Read full article here.
Nats continue aggressiveness on bases
VIERA, Fla. — Early in Spring Training, the Nationals have been aggressive on the bases under manager Matt Williams. Sunday’s game was another example of how the skipper wants things done.
After he struck out and reached first on a wild pitch, shortstop Ian Desmond stole second base and then scored on a single by Wilson Ramos to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead over the Marlins.
“We want to get guys in motion. We have the ability to do that. We might as well use that weapon,” Williams said. “It has been going good. We want to establish how we play. It won’t happen every day, of course. We’ll monitor everyone’s legs and health and all that stuff. ” Read full article here.
Werth dealing with biceps strain, Harper sent home due to flu-like symptoms
VIERA, Fla. – Right fielder Jayson Werth was set to make his spring training debut this afternoon against the Marlins, but that will have to wait.
Werth was scratched from today’s game less than an hour before first pitch due to a right biceps strain, according to Nationals manager Matt Williams.
Williams said after the Nats’ 10-3 win over the Marlins that Werth felt discomfort in the lower biceps area yesterday. He was originally written into today’s lineup but was scratched when the tightness hadn’t dissipated by late in the morning. Read full article here.